Civil Servants Stage Victory Rally For Wike …As Monarch, Youth, Opposition Parties, Others Hail Gov, Supreme Court

Thousands of civil servants in Rivers State yesterday staged a rally in Port Harcourt in celebration of Governor Nyesom Wike’s victory at the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court, had on Wednesday, upturned the judgement of the Appeal Court which  nullified the election of the  governor.
Addressing the workers at the state secretariat, the Head of Service, Barrister Rufus Godwins, said that the victory has averted another round of crisis in the state.
Godwins said that the people of Rivers State were already frightened by the provocative utteramces of some politicians, adding that with the victory, the state has returned to its pride of place as the foremost state of peace in the country.
The Head of Service, however, urged civil servants to give their full support to the administration by maintaining their integrity.
According to him, Rivers people and the rest of the world are happy with the victory of the governor, stressing that the judgement should now challenge everyone to put their faith in God.
“ I urged every civil servant to be loyal and maintain their integrity”, he said and described Governor Nyesom Wike as a God, fearing man who is ready to initiate programmes to uplift the standard of living of Rivers people.
A factional chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Prince Williams Addah who was at the rally described Wike as a honest governor who will work for the interest of the  state.
He also said that the victory will usher in peace and prosperity in the state, and assured labour’s support to government policies and programmes.
The workers later marched to Government House, where the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Dr Onyekachi Nwankwo, who represented the governor thanked them for their show of solidarity.
The Permanent Secretary said that the situation shows the love of civil servants to the state and government.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the Nigerian Civil Service Union, Rivers State, has described the Supreme Court’s verdict as a victory for democracy and rule of law.
In a statement yesterday, the state Chairman of the union, Comrade O. T Lilly-West, said that civil servants in the state were overwhelmed with joy over the verdict, and prayed God to grant the  governor grace and wisdom to pilot the affairs of the state and deliver democracy dividends to the people.
Following Wedneday’s Supreme Court judgement that upheld Chief Nyesom Wike’s election as the governor of Rivers State, reactions have continued to trail the judgement.
The Chairman of Ekpeye Council of Chiefs, Eze Ikaki S. Ikaki said the judgement is a victory for democracy and the people of Rivers State.
The traditional ruler lauded the Supreme Court judgement, saying the ruling would stabilized peace and development in the state.
He congratulated Governor Nyesom Wike for his courage and faith in God, during the judicial battle.
He also assured the governor of the support of the traditional rulers in the area to enable him actualise his New Rivers Vision in the state.
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Bro Felix Obuah, dedicated the Supreme Court judgement to God, saying, “when God says yes, no body can say no”.
Speaking through his Media Adviser, Jerry Needam, the PDP boss advised Rivers people, including the opposition, to join hands with the governor to move the state to greater heights.
Also reacting, the spokesman of ‘I See You Group,” Isaac Ordu, said the Supreme Court judgement has restored the confidence of the people in the judiciary.
According to him, democracy has come to stay in the state following the Supreme Court ruling, stressing that the apex court’s ruling has shown that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man.
Ordu, however, advised Governor Wike and the PDP to run an all inclusive governor for peace and development of the state.
The state Chairman of Labour Party, Prince Favour Reuben in his reaction, also hailed the Supreme Court ruling for not only allowing peace to reign, but to prove that election was actually held in the state.
He called on political parties and all politicians to accept the ruling of the court for  democracy to take root in the state.
The Chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN0, Rivers State chapter, Sukubo Sara-Igbe also described the ruling of the apex court as a victory for democracy.
Sukubo, who stated this at a press briefing, yesterday in Port Harcourt  noted that the victory was a vindication of Rivers people’s long-drawn struggle for justice.
He added that the verdict of the apex court has restored the hope and confidence of the people in the credibility of the judiciary.
Sukubo also commended the court for standing firm in the defence of the law and constitution of the country. According to him, the judgement of the Supreme Court has brought peace and  doused tension within Rivers State and the neighbouring states.
In another development, former Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council, Barrister Clifford Oparaodu, said the Supreme Court judgement was to re-affirm the wishes and aspirations of Rivers people.
Oparaodu, who is a legal practitioner and was in Abuja for the judgement, told The Tide that the victory is for democracy and not for the PDP, stating that it represents the victory and mandate the people of Rivers State gave to the PDP and Governor Nyesom Wike in the last election.
According to him, “the court found out that what was reported and declared during last election represents the actual vote given to the PDP. We are happy that the state has been rescued from being mortgaged. This will go further to stop and end impunity.
Also, former lawmaker representing Port Harcourt Constituency1 in the state Assembly, Hon.Jones Ogbonda described the judgment by the Supreme Court  as a big relief to the Rivers people.
Ogbonda who is one of the Special Assistant to Governor Wike further described Supreme Court judgment as victory for democracy and for the people of Rivers State.
According to him, ’’The people’s Democratic Party and the people of Rivers State are happy and will remain happy. The Supreme court did the right thing and at the right time.
On defection, he said he was not aware that majority members of the party defected to other parties. One or two persons may have defected, that does not mean that many have defected. the party is strong and will remain solid following the judgment yesterday.  “Core and faithful members of the PDP are still with the party and they are happy over the Wednesday judgment.
However, some of the opposition parties in the state have expressed happiness with judgement of the Supreme Court.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), which spoke with our correspondent, said it was a confirmation and affirmation of the voices and wishes of the people of Rivers State and residents alike.
The state Chairman of SDP, Engr Joshua E.Worlu and NNPP State Chairman,Deacon Princewill Enyi said the judgement was impressive, adding that their members in the state were happy with the judgement by the Supreme Court.
According to Worlu, “this is the first time the court has given a bold and sound judgement that everybody is happy with. Wike deserves the victory because Rivers people voted for him.
Worlu revealed that members of SDP in Rivers State voted for Wike during the last election because they saw him as a man with vision and aspiration to move the state forward.
According to him, “we do not mind of his party members of SDP voted for him, and ensured that he won. So, we are happy with the judgement which confirm him as the Governor of Rivers State.
“SDP is happy because we believe in truth,good governace and justice. We also believe in oneness and sincerity which has been demonstrated by Wike within nine months of his administration.
Enyi, in his comment, urged all and sundry to join hands with Wike to make Rivers State what God has destined her to be.
According to him, “a winner today might be a loser tomorrow. My party, NNPP once more congratulate the governor.
He commended Governor Wike for carrying other political parties along and he fulfilled it by including them among the local government area caretaker committee members amongst other.
Also speaking, the House of Assembly candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Andoni Constituency, Hon Romsam Dressman called on Rivers people to take the judgement in good faith.
According to him through the Supreme Court’s judgement was painfull, it has become a spring board for success, if Rivers people believe in true democracy and God.

Rivers State civil servants led by the State Head of Service, Barrister Rufus Godwins, during a congratulatory visit to Government House, Port Harcourt to show solidarity to Governor Nyesom Wike over his Supreme Court victory, yesterday