Septembber 28, (THEWILL) – Governor Nwifuru has appealed to the governorship candidates of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ifeanyi Odii and the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Benard Odoh, to halt further litigations against him and join hands with his administration to develop the state.
He made the appeal on Wednesday, at his office in Abakaliki, while addressing newsmen on the outcome of the Ebonyi State Election Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, that reaffirmed his declaration by INEC as the duly elected Governor of the State.
The Tribunal on Wednesday, dismissed petitions by the All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA and its governorship candidate, Prof Benard Odoh, and the PDP candidate, Chief Odii, challenging the election of Nwifuru as governor.
He commended the tribunal judges for their forthrightness in dispensing justice based on the rule of law.
“This judgement by the tribunal is a victory for democracy, the court remains the last hope of the common man”, he noted.
He restated that he was not against anybody for instituting petition against his victory at the polls.
“I plead with the petitioners that contested election against me to come and let us work together. I beg APGA and Prof. Benard Odoh, to join hands with me in developing the state. I pleaded with him not to proceed with more litigations, we are working day and night to deliver the much needed democratic dividends to our people.
“I equally urged the PDP Governorship candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Odii, to bring his ideas and manifestoes so that we can build the state together.”
He commended his legal team, led by Ikpeazu, Roy Umahi, A. Ibrahim, and others for their ingenuity in protecting the course of justice.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Nwifuru of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the winner of the March 18th 2023 governorship election in the State.
Not satisfied with the declaration, Prof. Odoh and Chief Odii approached the tribunal to overturn the Ebonyi governor’s election on the grounds of non-qualification for election.
However, delivering judgement on the petition, the three-member panel, headed by Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, held that the petitioners lacked the locus standi to institute the action.
Responding, the APGA governorship candidate for 2023 general election, Professor Ifeanyichukwu Odoh, in a statement made available to Journalists in Abakaliki, insisted on exploring all legal processes as provided by the Nigeria constitution, for posterity sake.
“On behalf of myself and my running mate, Dr Nkata Chuku, we are most profoundly grateful to all of you our friends, supporters and well wishers for your extraordinary contributions, supports and encouragement on this journey. We have worked day and night to arrive at this stage of our Governorship petition.
“It is not over yet. Let your hearts and souls not be troubled as a result of today’s ruling by the Ebonyi State Governorship Election Tribunal. However, due to our level of political socialisation and culture some of you will be mocked and cajoled for believing and standing with us throughout the journey till now. Don’t worry, you’re on the right part of history as the storm would certainly be over. Greatness is not achieved by being a mediocre mind. Remain firm while we journey till the end.
“History and posterity will be kind to all men and women who stood firm for the right course of action towards advancing our democracy and advocating for a better society where rule of law, justice and fairness is attainable.We have directed our legal Team to review the judgement and commence appeal processes as provided by law.
“We shall get to the finishing line joyfully by exploring and exhausting all the legal processes as provided by our law as this would lay the desired foundation for the future we all desire and deserve for our dear State. I urge all of us to be calm and law abiding as usual. Quitters never attain greatness!”
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
