~Describes His Victory As Constitutional Democracy.
By Adaeze Onuora, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of All Progressive Congress has pleaded to the governorship candidates of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Ifeanyi Odii and the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA Prof. Benard Odoh to stop further litigations against him and team up with his administration to develop the state.
He therefore, described his victory at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal as victory to constitutional democracy.
Governor Nwifuru made the appeal to pressmen on, Wednesday at his office in Abakaliki, while briefing the newsmen on the outcome of the Ebonyi Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.
It will recalled that
the Tribunal on Wednesday, has dismissed a petition by the All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA and its governorship candidate Prof Benard Odoh, and the PDP candidate Chief Odii, challenging the election of Nwifuru as governor.
Governor Nwifuru, therefore, thanked the judges for rightful way delivered judgment, while noting that the court remains the last hope of common man
" I had approached my dear brothers who contested with me not to challenge the decision of the people after they spoke very loudly in the March 18 election which they turned down. Today the Tribunal has dismissed all the grounds they raised ."
" I joined APC on the 9th of November, 2020 and PDP took me to court, Justice Ekwo gave judgement in their favor and they celebrated it. Based on the provisions of the law we appealed the judgement and sought stay of execution which the court didn't grant until the case was withdrawn. '
"The electoral act also makes it clear that once you contest primaries in a political party and the party sends your name to INEC, and you are sponsored by that party you automatically become a member of that party."
Nwifuru also explained to audience
On whether he properly resigned from PDP, the Governor said he followed due process by handing over his resignation letter to the ward chairman of PDP.
"Votes and proceedings of the House and my resignation letter indicated clearly that I have left the party, yet they went to court and said I didn't resign. Unfortunately a senior lawyer went and Forged a document and presented to the court that I did not resign. I was in the court when a senior lawyer said my resignation letter was not signed , I want the Nigeria Bar Association and Body of Benchers to review the character of that lawyer who went and Forged documents and presented to the court".
The Governor applauded Ebonyi people for their steadfast support and assured he will continue to work to develop the state.
“This judgement by the tribunal is a victory for democracy, the court remains the last hope of the common man”, he noted.
He restated that he was not against anybody for instituting petition against his victory at the polls.
“I pleaded with the petitioners that contested election against me to come and let us work together.
"I begged APGA and Prof. Benard Odoh, to join hands with me in developing the state. I pleaded with him not to proceed with more litigations, we are working day and night to deliver the much needed democratic dividends to our people.
“I equally urged the PDP Governorship candidate Chief Ifeanyi Odii, to bring his ideas and manifestoes so that we can build the state together”.
He commended his legal team lead by Ikpeazu, Roy Umahi, A. Ibrahim, and others for their ingenuity in protecting the course of justice.
