Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared that he had ‘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, comprising elected senators, House of Representatives members, traditional rulers, Elder statesmen and state legislators, Thursday, declared support for Governor Wike.
Speaking at the Stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Nyesom Wike advised the people of the state never to criticise judges despite the judicial setback, pointing out that the appeal process will correct the judicial opinion of the state tribunal.
Wike dissociated himself from a statement by one of his aides describing the tribunal judgement as ‘judicial terrorism and gang-up,’ saying that the aide had no mandate to issue such a statement, noting further 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 aspersions 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 judgement favours you, you says 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 are working round the clock to complete the process of filing an appeal against the judgement.
He assured the people that he is not distracted by the judgement. 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 told the stakeholders the Appeal Court judgement of Thursday striking out the paragraphs of the APC petition that alleged violence and crime against named and un-named security agents and political thugs has strengthened his case that will shortly go on appeal.
In his remarks, Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus stated that the people are behind Governor Wike against the struggle by external forces to invade the state.
Also speaking, Senator George Sekibo said that Governor Wike was duly elected and his election will be updated in the course of the course of the appeal.
Former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo, Former UBA Chairman, Chief Ferdinand Alabrabra and Former NBA President, Chief OCJ Okocha, on behalf of different sections of the state declared the overwhelming support of the people for the governor.
