Senator, Reps’ sack by Appeal Court is enough signal to PDP – Peterside

The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State in the last general election, Dakuku Peterside, has described the string of judicial declarations in favour of the party as enough signal to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state that the game was up. He has urged the PDP to get ready for rerun elections in the state as various courts had cancelled the elections from governorship to parliaments.

Peterside was reacting to the latest decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja which upturned the verdict of the tribunal that had dismissed the petitions of the APC candidates.

A panel of justices of the Court of Appeal led by Ali Gumel‎ just set aside the judgment of the National/State Legislative Houses Election Petition Tribunal in Apo, Abuja, which had dismissed the petition by the APC candidate, Andrew Uchendi against Sekibo’s election. The appeal court also delivered similar judgments setting aside the election of two other members of the PDP representing their respective Rivers State constituencies in the House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives members sacked were Kingsley Chindah of Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, and Blessing Nsiegbe of Port Harcourt 2 Federal Constituency. Chindah’s election was challenged at the tribunal by the APC candidate, Anthony Okocha, while that of Ns‎ugbe was challenged by Collins Owhondah.

Reacting, APC’s Peterside commended the verdict and described it as victory not only for the long-suffering people of Rivers State but also for those who voted at the March and April elections.

According to Peterside, truth, which is essential in the quest for justice, has prevailed. He contended that the actions of the erudite justices of the Appeal Court were a demonstration of a new Nigeria where a few will no longer stifle the voices and collective decision of the majority.

He also wondered why Rivers State chapter of the PDP is still living in self-denial even as their ignoble actions during the elections are well known across Nigeria and beyond.

“I know that everybody in Rivers State, including our opponents in the last general elections, expected these sweeping judgments because we were all witnesses to the widespread violence and irregularities that marred the various elections.

“As a party and law abiding citizens, we are happy that at last, light has overshadowed darkness, and this in itself is encouraging. Although the journey has been winding and most painful but we have remained steadfast knowing full well that at all times, truth will always take the limelight over lies and evil, no matter how hard human beings try.  Therefore these landmark judgments are vindicating and heartening.

“For our opponents, I wish to counsel them to quickly come to terms with the new reality which intensely abhors electoral violence and fraud. No society can make progress in an atmosphere of brute force, violence, ignorance, intolerance, intimidation and all the vices our rivals employed and exhibited before and during the elections. As a people, we must strive to remain civil and accommodating of other views no matter our position for that is the only way to support the growth and sustenance of democracy and liberty.

“Therefore, as we prepare for the impending but crucial re-run elections across our dear state, I call on our people to remember that Rivers, like other states in Nigeria, deserves the very best of representation. We cannot afford to support candidates who are evidently lacking in capacity and in all the necessary tools needed in modern day governance. God bless Rivers State!”