THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has described the Supreme Court verdict that upheld the election of Governor Nyesom Wike as a temporary setback.
The Supreme Court had on Wednesday affirmed Wike’s election, insisting that the governor’s appeal against the nullification of his election was meritorious.
But the State Chairman of the APC, Dr. Davies Ikanya, expressed confidence that the party would soon reassert its pride of place in the political milieu of the state and Nigeria.
Ikanya, who spoke in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, urged members of the party not to be dismayed by the Supreme Court judgement.
“The party will also like to appreciate its leadership at all levels for showing uncommon courage, resilience and unity since inception to date. Same appreciation goes to our esteemed and loyal followership who have resisted impunity, temptation and enticement to remain resolute in 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,” Ikanya said.
The state APC chairman argued that the annulment of 22 out of 32 State House of Assembly elections, the cancellation of the three senatorial elections and 12 out 13 House of Representatives elections were enough to have upheld the decision of lower and Appeal Court that had earlier annulled the 2015 governorship poll in the state.
According to him, “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, Barr. Nyesom Wike, was 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.”
Calling on APC faithful to remain steadfast and resilient, the state APC chairman explained that this was necessary in order to ensure victory during the forthcoming State and National Assembly rerun polls in the state.
