The Rivers state chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), in its first reaction to the victory of Governor Nyesom Wike at the Supreme Court has said it will continue to give responsible opposition in the state despite receiving the news with mixed feelings.
The party in a statement signed by its state Chairman Dr. Davis Ikanya, recalled that the struggle to retrieve the mandates of its candidates, including that of the governorship candidate, hijacked in the 2015 sham elections, led to various rulings by the election petition tribunals and Appeal Courts, which annulled and ordered for the rerun elections for 22 State Assembly positions out of 32, all 3 Senatorial seats and 12 out of 13 House of Representatives seats.
“Ordinarily, such large-scale annulment should have logically led to upholding the annulment of the governorship election as pronounced by the Tribunal and the Appeal Court. Unfortunately, the earlier concurrent decisions of the governorship election petition tribunal and that of the Appeal Court annulling the election of Governor Nyesom Wike, was upturned by the Supreme Court of Nigeria yesterday. While we are neither applauding nor condemning the decision of the apex court, we can only give thanks and adoration to God Almighty whose wisdom surpasses that of man.”
The APC thanked all its candidates in the race for Senatorial, House of Representatives and Rivers State House of Assembly rerun elections and urged them to remain steadfast and resilient and work hard alongside the party to ensure that they win all the forthcoming rerun elections.
The party said it appreciates its leadership at all levels for showing uncommon courage, resilience and unity since inception to date.
“Same appreciation goes to our esteemed and loyal followers who have resisted impunity, temptation and enticement to remain resolute in the service to the APC. It is our belief that whatever appears to be a setback now is only temporary as we will soon re-assert our pride of place in the political milieu of Rivers State and Nigeria. It must surely end in praise!”
Alluding to violence that characterised the Governorship election, the APC said: “We call on our members across Rivers state especially survivors of those who lost their loved ones before, during and after the 2015 electoral violence that the justice we sought to put a closure to their pains and losses, though denied us by man, will still be granted by the ultimate judge, God Himself. He will prove that those who paid the ultimate price did not do so in vain because he is the God of justice.”
The APC reassured that it will continue to play the role of a responsible opposition party in Rivers State by protecting the peoples’ common interests and provide the bridge between the people and the APC federal government.
To those who recently, defected to the party, APC, Dr Ikanya urged them to know that they made the right decision as they work together to create and enhance a working synergy that will transcend the present times in service to our people.
APC Chairman urged all members of the APC in Rivers state “to remain calm, focussed and ready for the task ahead of us as party leaders and supporters at our various units, LGAs and the state. In all things, they should continue to give God all glory and adorations as that which is ahead is greater than that behind us.”
The Supreme Court had on Wednesday, January 27 upheld the mandate of the Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, thus, validating the result of the April 11 poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The apex court set aside judgments of both the Rivers state governorship election petition tribunal and that of the Abuja division of the Court of Appeal, which annulled Wike’s election.
According to Justice Kekere-Ekun who delivered the lead verdict, three separate appeals that were filed by Wike, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and INEC, were meritorious.
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