I’ll Complete Four Years As Governor -Wike …‘Tribunal Judgement Won’t Deter Me’

L-R: Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, his wife, Justice, Eberechi Suzette Wike, Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, National Acting Chairman, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus and Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro Felix Obuah, in a worship mood, during the solidarity state thanksgiving service at Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, yesterday.

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has reassured Rivers people that in spite of the tribunal judgment which nullified his election, he will complete his four year tenure as the governor of the state.
Wike stated this, yesterday at a thanksgiving service held at Obi Wali International Convention Centre, Port Harcourt, where the leadership and supporters of Peoples Democratic (PDP) gathered to honour God over the tribunal’s judgment that was delivered at the weekend.
The thanksgiving service titled: “God Has The Final Say”, brought compassion as majority of those who attended the service shed tears.
Those who spoke to The Tide said they were not crying because the tribunal nullified the election that brought Governor Wike to power but some persons in the state are seriously bent on ensuring that the present administration did not succeed.
In his opening remarks during the thanksgiving, the PDP Chairman in the state, Bro. Felix Obuah said PDP supporters in the state should be strong and bold because what has happened is the beginning of their glory.
Obuah advised PDP supporters to disregard the pre-determined judgment and focus on the Almighty God who has the final say.
According to him, ’’Wike is the man of honour whom Rivers people trust and believe, especially in his ability to transform the state.
“Wike is the man, Rivers State is PDP state, we are still in-charge. Wike is still the governor of Rivers State, and he will continue to be the governor till four years. Don’t be afraid, just be strong, believe in God, we will at the end get judgment that will favour us.”
However, Wike reassured the people that PDP will win again if election is conducted, adding that “I will complete my four years tenure as the governor of Rivers State”.
He noted that the thanksgiving service was “significant because if what enemies planned had worked, I wouldn’t have been governor today.
“The nullification of my election by the tribunal sitting in Abuja shows that justice is ours. I am surprised that some people are celebrating over the judgment when they described the judgment against their candidates at the National Assembly as judicial 419.
“It is now that they have confidence with judiciary. In spite of the judgment, we will still have hope in judiciary. I want to beg you, don’t be provoked, I know what happened at the weekend is provoking but I know what their plans are, that is why I am begging you to be calm.
“I was minister in this country, and I was given the highest responsibility, and today, some people are struggling to be minster, and they are celebrating to be minister as if nobody has been a minister in this state.”
Meanwhile, following the judgment of the Rivers State Election Tribunal annulling the April 11th governorship polls in the state at the weekend, Governor Nyesom Wike, said he will not be distracted  to deliver good governance to the people of the state.
Wike made the promise shortly after arriving the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Saturday, and was received by a huge crowd of supporters.
Wike while emphasizing his stance not to criticize the judgment as a lawyer, said he would appeal and is ready to exhaust all legal means to get justice.
“Our lawyers are going on appeal and after the Court of Appeal there is also the Supreme Court. We believe that we have a good case. I have never seen where a lower court will overrule what the superior have said.”
The governor cited the case of the Lagos State Elections Tribunal between Governor Akinwumi Ambode and Agbaje of the PDP where the Court of Appeal held that the issue of card reader was not sufficient enough to cancel elections, since it’s not part of the Electoral Act.
He, therefore, expressed hope that the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) will get favourable judgment on appeal, assuring that, “the tribunal has given their own verdict, but by the special Grace of God that is not the verdict of God.”
Calling on supporters and party faithful to remain calm, Wike warned against any act that will breach public peace and tranquillity, enjoining them not to panic as the party has a competent legal team to handle the matter.
As far as Wike was concerned, the All Progressive Congress (APC) does not have a candidate for the elections since the party did not comply with the 21-day notice as provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
While reacting to the judgment of the tribunal, Chairman of the PDP in the state, Felix Obuah dismissed fears that the party was not ready to go to the polls, adding that, “we are ever ready any day anytime. This is Rivers State, and it’s PDP-owned state come rain, come shine; we are not disturbed.”
Obuah urged party members and the citizenry to go about their normal business, saying, “we believe that by God’s grace Gods judgment will upturn whatever has been done.”
Meanwhile, Special Adviser to the governor on Media and Publicity, Opunabo Inko-Tariah has dispelled fears that Wike has been removed from office following the tribunal judgment on Saturday.
Inko- Tariah said the governor will go on appeal, and therefore, still remains the governor of Rivers State.
While assuring that the state will not suffer any setback, the governor’s aide said Wike will continue on his developmental strides,” the pace with which he started will be maintained.”
On their part, immediate past Caretaker Chairmen of Eleme and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas, Phillip Okparaji and Odimabo Torukwein, charged party supporters in their various LGAs to remain calm.
Okwaraji said, “We are not discouraged because we know we still have substantial evidence to win at the superior courts. For us, we are determined to make sure or people enjoy dividends of democracy”.
In the view of Torukwein, justice will prevail on the matter as he urged all supporters of Wike in Akuku-Toru to be calm and go about their lawful activities.
In his words, “I urge all of our people to remain steadfast, justice will always prevail, Wike will appeal the ruling, don’t lose focus, our dynamic governor is on course.”
Consequently, Governor Nyesom Wike in a state-wide broadcast, yesterday, has promised the people of the state that he will remain focused and steadfast to the mandate given to him on April 11.
He added that, “our fundamental promises on improving security, massive development of infrastructure and socio-economic empowerment in Rivers State”.
As firm believer in the judicial system, the governor expressed hope that he will upturn the decision of the tribunal at the Appeal Court, and therefore, urged all supporters to remain calm and go about their legitimate business without cause for alarm.
At a thanksgiving service organized by the party for the governor, yesterday at Dr Obi Wali Conference Centre, Wike said, “what happened yesterday is a clear indication that victory will be ours.”
He called on the people to continue to pray and have hope in God, noting that rather than discouraging the people the judgment has attracted more supporters.
For now, he declared that the interest of the state remains paramount to him while pledging to pursue those things will help transform the state positively.
The governor also remarked, “The final victory is the better victory”.
On her part, Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry- Banigo, expressed confidence that the party and the governor will come out victorious at the end.
She said, “I know that this mandate God has given to Wike and I, we will guard it jealously”.
The deputy governor thanked God for the grace and strength he gave the governor during this trying times, recalling earlier hurdles the governor and party have scaled before inauguration on May 29th.
Representative of the state Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bishop Frank Ikpe, declared that victory will come at the end.
He enjoined the governor and the party to hold on to God and His word, which according to him, can nullify man’s word and judgment.
On why the thanksgiving was held, state Chairman of the PDP, Felix Obuah, said Rivers State is God’s own project.
Obuah while emphasising the importance of thanksgiving, observed that the party and the governor are not dejected by the verdict, saying, “God says that in everything, we should give Him thanks”.