Makarfi’s Supreme Court appeal not a threat to Sheriff! Edo ex-PDP Candidate

Global Patriot Staff May 24, 2017 Local, News, Politics Leave a comment 606 Views

From Osaro Peters, Benin

Former candidate of the Ali Modu-Sheriff-led Peoples Democratic Party in the last September 28 governorship election in Edo State , Hon. Matthew Uduoriyekemwen has said that the Supreme Court appeal of Ahmed Makarfi against the earlier judgement in favour of Ali Modu Sheriff is not a threat to Sheriff, arguing further that the court cannot celebrate one who disobeyed its orders to the detriment of the other who was in obedience to it.

He made the assertion while fielding questions from newsmen in his official residence in Benin City, Edo State capital.

Hon. Matthew Uduoriyekemwen said that the Supreme Court allowing Makarfi to appeal the judgement, is not out of place as the most important thing is the rudiment of the law as it relates to the substantive chairmanship of the PDP.

He also said “whether or not, Sheriff having obeyed the court and postponed the convention in Port Harcourt and whether anybody has the power to convene another convention in disobedience of a valid court order and the product of it is the setting up of a caretaker committee.

“That was the main case and as far as I am concerned, the case is very straight forward. I do not see the Supreme Court tomorrow going to celebrate somebody who flagrantly disobeyed the court order and punish someone who was law abiding,” he said.

The former majority leader of the state house of assembly said it is out of place to draw a conclusion that the court will rule in favour of Makarfi because it admitted evidence from him adding that such does not make him a winner in the court of law.

“I think it is too early for anybody to begin to think that because the Supreme Court admitted evidence that Markafi will win. When you were at the tribunal here, all the evidence that were admitted from PDP were they all not admitted but the final judgement will depend on the element of law as relate to the constitution of Nigeria and that of the party”, he said.

Uduoriyekemwen said the court is always mindful of its verdict and would not want to set a precedence that could not be used as a reference point in the future.

“I have strong confidence in the Supreme Court as the apex judicial body in this country because any pronouncement they make, becomes law. So, they are also conscious of the fact that whenever they make any pronouncement, it now serves as a judicial reference in future cases.

“It is not about Makarfi , Sheriff or anything but it is about strict obedience and compliance to the PDP constitution and the rules of engagement of the party as laid out in the constitution of the party”, he said.

He also said that he has absolute trust in the Supreme Court declaring Ali Modu Sheriff as the authentic national chairman of the party.