ABAKALIKI- Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has described the Supreme Court victory of Gov. Francis Nwifuru as an affirmation of the mandate given to him by Ebonyi voters on the March 18, 2023 governorship election.
Okoro-Emegha stated this on Friday in Abakaliki while reacting to the victory of the party at the Supreme Court in a chat with newsmen.
The chairman commended the justices of the Supreme Court for upholding the election victory of Gov. Francis Nwifuru.
The chieftain who celebrated the victory described the judgement as a ‘landmark’ victory and called on the opposition parties to close ranks with the governor to move the state forward.
“We never lost any sleep on the outcome of the Supreme Court case because we had a good case and had earlier won at the tribunal and Appeal Court.
“The judgement has brought to a definite end the election litigation and the governor can settle down for the business of governance.
“The victory represents not only a victory for democracy but for the entire Ebonyi electorate that voted massively to elect Nwifuru.
“The judgement shows that the judiciary remains the last hope of the ‘common man’ and it just confirmed the decision of the Ebonyi voters in 2023
“The government of APC, led by President Bola Tinubu, will still get it right and I must tell you honestly that in Ebonyi we have never been distracted, the governor is focused and ready to deliver dividends of democracy to the people in line with ‘Ebonyi Charter of Needs’ mantra.
“The governor has been in the service, first as speaker and he knows the needs of the people and he will just continue what he has already started,” Okoro-Emegha said.
Also, reacting to the judgement, Mr Chidiebere Agwu, the chairman of Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi, congratulated the governor for his victory at the apex court.
“I’m very grateful for the Supreme Court judgement. The ruling has brought to an end the election dispute and the decision only affirmed the wishes of the masses of Ebonyi who voted in the election.
“We are already enjoying autonomy at the local government area (LGA) level and this is courtesy of the governor’s belief in the rule of law and what we needed has already been given to us; we are very grateful to the governor,” he said.
Also, speaking, Mr Philip Okorie, Commissioner for Inter Party Affairs said that the apex court’s judgement was a confirmation that God has sent the governor to serve his people and deliver them as the Messiah of the state.
“In Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), we are happy that we have gotten a governor who performs beyond party boundaries.
“We are happy that today, God has affirmed that he brought Gov. Francis Nwifuru to unify Ebonyi and I’m not talking about a one-party system because it’s not healthy.
“If you make Ebonyi a one-party state, my job will be gone; I’m happy that the governor strengthened the existing democratic institutions in the state to enhance democratic governance,” he said.
Meanwhile, a top chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the party had accepted the judgement because it believed. in the rule of law.
“The court has spoken and there must be an end to every litigation, and so, we have no choice but to accept the judgement and look forward to 2027,” the source said.
Nwifuru defeated the candidates of the PDP, Chief Ifeanyichukwuma Odi, and Prof. Bernard Odoh of All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA) in the March 2023 election, but, they rejected the outcome of the election and challenged the emergence of Nwifuru in court. (NAN)
