In regard to the Appeal Court ruling that a fresh governorship
election should be conducted in Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike, has
directed his lawyers to appeal today’s judgement at the Supreme Court.
Wike said in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on
Electronic Media, Mr. Simeon
Nwakaudu, that he disagreed with the Appeal Court
judgment, hence his decision to exhaust his constitutional right by challenging
the judgment at the apex court.
The governor called on all his supporters and the people of
Rivers State to remain calm and expressed the belief that justice would be done
at the end.
He assured the people of the state that he would use all
constitutional processes to protect the mandate they freely bestowed on him,
hence his decision to approach the Supreme Court for further adjudication.
The governor said he still remains the duly elected governor
of Rivers State pending the determination of his appeal by the Supreme Court.
Wike assured the people of Rivers State that all ongoing
development projects would continue while his administration would not relent
in promoting the security of lives and property across the state.
But the All Progressives Congress in the state expressed
satisfaction over the ruling of the Appeal Court, maintaining that the
judiciary had once again shown that it remained the last hope for the common
man.
The State Chairman of the APC, Dr. Davies Ikanya, told The
PUNCH on Wednesday that the Appeal Court ruling would pave the way for the
electorate in Rivers State to vote without fear of violence.
Ikanya said, “WE give glory to the Almighty God on behalf of
the Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the governorship candidate
of the APC (in the 2015 election) Dr. Dakuku Peterside, and his deputy, Hon.
Honorable Asita, and Rivers people.
“This judgement has proven that the judiciary remains the
last hope of the downtrodden and the common man. We thank the judiciary for not
disappointing the people.
“We are happy that Rivers people now have the opportunity to
vote without the fear of being attacked. The court ruling today also shows that
if you engage in violence during election, the judiciary is there to nullify
such election.”
Ikanya, however, pointed out that the APC would not lose any
sleep over what the outcome of a Supreme Court judgement would be, adding that
the truth would not change.
“Whether it is the Election Petition Tribunal, the Appeal
Court or the Supreme Court, the truth will always remain the truth,” he said.
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