PDP RECLAIMS BAYELSA AS SUPREME COURT SACKS APC’S GOVERNOR-ELECT
On his part, Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, described the ruling as a welcomed development for the PDP and its candidates.
He stated that his confidence in the judiciary had been rekindled by the ruling of the apex court.
In its reaction, APC National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, rejected the judgment and said the party would challenge it.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Oshiomhole said it was clear that no candidate had the constitutional spread, unless there is a deliberate attempt to abuse the legal process.
He added that nobody has raised issues about whether or not Lyon and his running mate won overwhelming majority in the said election.
“This judgment lacks the fruit of justice. When justice is sacrificed on the altar of technicalities, it constitutes a great danger. Let me also say that it is not a state secret, if as the Supreme Court has ruled, David Lyon cannot now be sworn in as the person who has the highest number of votes and the spread to be sworn in. It simply means from tomorrow(today) there will be no government in Bayelsa State.”
But the PDP described the comments by Oshiomhole as an empty and inconsequential ranting.
The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, however, warned Oshiomhole to steer clear of Bayelsa State as his apparent plots to trigger violence in the state has failed.
It warned Oshiomhole to be careful with his utterances so as not to incite people to violence.
The PDP also congratulated Diri and his running mate, Lawrence Ewrujakpor, saying their mandate has been restored.
It, however, added that the Bayelsa judgment will not change its demand that the Supreme Court should revisit its judgment on the Imo State governorship election.
On his part, Dickson warned that no resident should take the laws into their hands while celebrating or protesting the judicial decision.
While stressing that neither he nor Diri should take credit for the event, the governor said he held no grudges against any anybody irrespective of their positions on the issue.
He urged the people of the state to do away with the politics of bitterness, adding that restraint should be the watchword for everyone concerned.
A senior lawyer, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), however, said the judgment, including the ones delivered by the apex court on Zamfara and Imo States, constitute serious indictment of INEC and political parties.
Adegboruwaaddedthat Nigerians must avoid situations whereby leaders emerge through the courts, as that will be circumventing the will of the people.
Call Oshiomhole to Order, Wike Tells FG
However, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, called on the Federal Government to warn the National Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole to stop making inflammatory remarks capable of destabilising the country.
Wike also berated the APC National Chairman for saying that there will be no swearing-in of the PDP Candidate in Bayelsa State, saying he has no such powers.
He said: “The federal government should warn Oshiomhole to stop making remarks that will destabilise Nigeria.
“What he is doing in Edo State is not proper and he should not bring it to the rest of the Niger Delta.”
He said that Oshiomhole lacks the power to make pronouncements after the Supreme Court has ruled on the Bayelsa matter.
“Who is Oshiomhole to determine who has spread in a state? Supreme Court has made a ruling. It is unfortunate for Oshiomhole to come forward to say that nobody will be sworn in “he said.