PDP Celebrates A’Ibom, Abia S’ Court’s Rulings …Wike Congratulates Emmanuel, Ikpeazu

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has said that with Wednesday’s rulings affirming the election of Governors Udom Emmanuel and Okezie Ikpeazu of Akwa-Ibiom and Abia states, respectively, the Supreme Court, in upholding justice, has further reinvigorated the hope and trust of the citizenry in the judiciary as the bastion of democracy.
“Indeed, the PDP and all lovers of democracy in the country commend the maturity and patriotism being displayed by the Supreme Court in dispensing justice, a development which has strengthened the confidence of the people in democracy and rule of law,” the party said in the statement, in Abuja, yesterday.
“Wednesday’s rulings on Abia and Akwa-Ibom, coming after the apex court had last week handed justice in affirming the election of Governors Nyesom Wike and Dave Umahi of Rivers and Ebonyi states, respectively, have not only put a seal on the popularity of our governors, as duly reflected in the elections, but also that of the PDP, irrespective of the temporary setback of the 2015 general elections.
“Nigerians are no longer in doubt of the fact that in spite of the electoral challenges, the PDP remains the only pan-Nigeria party, committed to the national interest, with the capacity, vision and direction to deliver and sustain a united and prosperous country; the reason we are working hard to regain power at the centre in 2019.
“While congratulating our governors, and indeed, all well-meaning Nigerians for this triumph of democracy, we restate our charge to all PDP elected and appointed office holders at all levels across the country to continue to patriotically exert themselves, while maintaining the lead in providing purposeful leadership in line with the ideology and visions of PDP founding fathers.
“Despite the challenges, we assure Nigerians that we will not relent but continue to be steadfast in showing leadership at all levels especially at this point where other political platforms offer no hope or governance direction to the people,” the PDP added.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has described the validation of the elections of Governors Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia states as the consolidation of the will of the people through the judicial process.
In a congratulatory message to the two governors on Wednesday night after the affirmation of their elections, Wike praised the Supreme Court for always upholding the supremacy of the rule of law in the nation’s democracy.
Wike rejoiced with his Akwa Ibom and Abia states’ colleagues on their deserved victory  at the Supreme  Court, urging  them  to  be magnanimous in victory  by continuing  to run  inclusive  governments  in their  respective states.
He particularly congratulated the  people  of  Akwa Ibom  and Abia states on the Supreme Court judgments, saying  that they  are the ultimate  victors and beneficiaries of  the process because  their mandates were deservedly  upheld.
A statement signed by Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, noted that Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), remains the party of choice, because its programmes and projects are pro-people.
The governor said that the Supreme Court through her judgments have strengthened the nation’s democracy.
In another development, The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has said the judgment of the Supreme Court on the governorship elections in Akwa Ibom and Abia States is a victory for democracy and a triumph of patriotism over dictatorship and harassment.
Fayose stated this in Ado-Ekiti while reacting to the legal victory of Governors Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State at the apex court.
He noted that all hope was not lost as far as people see the judiciary as their last hope.
The statement said: “Those who are true lovers of democracy and patriotic Nigerians should show the courage needed to confront those who want to subvert the will of the people freely expressed through the ballot. We must also rise up and condemn any subterranean move to cow the judicial arm to do the bidding of some powers that be.
“A situation where judicial officers are intimidated by the comments made by some people in authority is condemnable. There is separation of powers in our constitution and all arms of government know what they need to do for our country to run smoothly and not as a personal fiefdom of anybody.”
Governor Fayose also decried the statement credited to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, describing the affirmation of the electoral victory of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, as astonishing.
He said: “One may initially think Odigie-Oyegun was merely lamenting their loss as a politician who has the interest of the people at heart. But going down his speech, the real motive for their desperation to win some states through the back door was exposed.
“His lamentation that the loss of an oil-rich state, no matter who low the price of crude oil is, revealed their greed. They are not after the welfare of the people, but are concerned with what they would gain from the commonwealth of the people. Nigerians can now see that they have nothing to offer, but are only after the ‘spoils’ of what they think they can get illegally.”

L-R: Deputy Registrar, Veterinary Council of Nigeria, Dr Josaih Tagwai-Kantiyok, Director, Disease Control, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Ifeoma Anigbogu and National President, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Dr Edgar Amos-Sunday, Chief Veterinary Officer, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Egejuru Eze and others, at the distribution of anti-rabies vaccines to nine universities in Abuja,yesterday