Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he has absolute confidence and respect for the Judiciary to do justice in the state governorship legal tussle, pointing out that based on the April 11 election, his mandate would be upheld in the course of the appeal process.
Also, Rivers State stakeholders on Thursday declared that they were solidly behind Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike who was duly elected on April 11.
The stakeholders included elected senators, House of Representatives members, traditional rulers, elder statesmen and state legislators.
Speaking at the stakeholders meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Wike advised the people of the state never to criticise judges despite the judicial setback, pointing out that the appeal process would correct the judicial opinion of the state tribunal.
Governor Wike dissociated himself from a statement from one of his aides describing the tribunal judgment as judicial terrorism and gang-up.
He said the aide had no mandate to issue such a statement, noting that as a lawyer he respects the judiciary and knows the appellate process to seek redress.
“Be assured by the Grace of God our lawyers are working hard to file the appeal within stipulated time. I have told people that it is not in our character to cast aspersion on judges. I have also told people not to speak on my behalf to castigate judges. The tribunal is not the final appellate court on this matter. There is no need of castigating the judiciary.
“We are not one of those when judgment favours you, you say you have confidence in the judiciary. When it does not favour you, you lose confidence in the judiciary.
“I want to say in the past two days, you must have read where they quoted me as saying judicial terrorism or judicial gang-up, I never said so. And I never authorised anybody to say so on this matter”.
The governor noted that his team of lawyers were working round the clock to complete the process of filing an appeal against the judgment.
He assured the people that he is not distracted by the judgment. The governor said he is emboldened by the support of key stakeholders and the ordinary people to continue to discharge his responsibility to the people.
Governor Wike claimed the Appeal Court judgment of Thursday struck out the paragraphs of the APC petition that alleged violence and crime against named and un-named security agents and political thugs.
He said that has strengthened his case that would shortly go on appeal.
In his remarks, Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, said the people of the state were behind Governor Wike against the struggle by external forces to invade the state.
Also speaking, George Sekibo, a senator, said Mr. Wike was duly elected and his election would be upheld in the course of the appeal.
A former Minister of Transport, Abiye Sekibo; a former UBA Chairman, Ferdinand Alabrabra; and a former NBA President, OCJ Okocha, on behalf of different sections of the state, declared “the overwhelming support of the people for the governor”.
