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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has reacted to the victory of Governor Nyesom Wike at the Supreme Court on Thursday.
The party in a statement signed by its state Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said it received the judgement with mixed feelings.
The election petition tribunals and Appeal Court had annulled and ordered for the rerun of the governorship election before the Supreme Court in its judgement on Wednesday, set aside the Appeal Court’s judgement and declared Wike winner.
The APC in its reaction said:
“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 the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, were 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 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.
It appreciated its leadership at all levels for showing uncommon courage, resilience and unity since inception to date.
The statement added:
“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!”
“We call on our members across Rivers State, especially 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.”
To those who recently defected to the party, APC, 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.