There were fears in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers state before the Appeal court ruled on the governorship election that the verdict could spark off crisis in the state.
That was despite the fact that no one was very confident on who between the contenders, Governor Nyesom Wike and the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Dr Dakuku Peterside would be favoured by the judgement.
The fear was just there in the heart of many. The speculation of a likely atmosphere of insecurity was heightened last week when news filtered into Port Harcourt that the court had finished its job but was waiting for a convenient time to rule.
As no definite date was set aside for the ruling many interpreted this approach by the Appeal Court to mean that it was also mindful not to trigger violence in the state.
Some residents of Port Harcourt said the judgement could come after the Yuletide to enable all parties in court and their supporters to have a smooth Christmas and New Year celebrations.
But suddenly gist came in again within the week that the court will rule on the election within the week. When finally it did on Wednesday the state was calm.
Protesters in the streets
At about 3 p.m. that Wednesday not many were sure the court had ruled because people were just going on with their activities.
Banks did not hurriedly shut their doors to customers. There were no protesters on the streets. Gradually the news started going round that the election of Governor Wike had been nullified.
Remarkably, the development coincided with the visit of the Minister of Transportation, Mr Chibuike Amaechi to Port Harcourt to flag off the Port Harcourt Aba weekly rail transport scheme. Amaechi who was former governor of the state is at the forefront of those seeking to unseat Wike as governor of the state.
Many had thought that the Railway station venue of the Minister’s programme would have attracted cheering crowd of APC members since the ruling was in favour of the party but this was not the case as the event was entirely apolitical and wholly focused on developing the railway sector. Even Governor Wike was represented at the event.
The court ruling has set the stage for another round of legal battle between Governor Wike and his rival, Dr Peterside. This time it is at the Supreme Court.
The governor, who spoke through his media aide, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu said he had asked his lawyers to proceed to the apex court to challenge the nullification of his election.
While calling on his supporters to remain calm and law abiding the governor sounded optimistic that the Supreme Court will rule in his favour.
His Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was more hard in responding to the verdict which en it described it as a reflection of the gang up by the APC and the federal government against Governor Wike.
Chairman of the party, Bro. Felix Obuah in a statement by his media aide , Mr Jerry Needam also appealed for restraint on members of the party, expressing hope that things could turn in their favour at the apex court.
“The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has urged the good people of the State to remain calm and law abiding in the face of obvious gang-up by the All Progressives Congress, APC led Federal Government against duly elected Governor of the State, Barr. Nyesom Wike and other elected lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, using some Justices of the Court of Appeal as willing tools to invalidate their elections.”, he said.
“We still hold the Judiciary in high esteemed and strongly believe that not all judicial officers can be compromised, therefore, the PDP is heading to the Supreme Court to challenge the judgement of the Appeal “, the Chairman said.
The All Progressive Congress, APC on its part lauded the court judgement, saying it confirmed it position that the election was flawed.
Publicity secretary of the party, in the state, Mr Chris Finebone also called on supporters of the party to remain calm.
Judgment of the tribunal
“The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, received with satisfaction the judgement of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja upholding the judgment of the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which sacked Rivers State Governor, Ezebuwon Nyesom Wike.
“The APC considers the decision of the appellate court that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, did not comply substantially with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) as trite and incontrovertible. We believe that the decision today by the Appeal Court is a confirmation that evil can triumph over good but only temporarily.”, the party said.
Meanwhile, most residents of Port Harcourt said this was certainly not a good time for the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
Many of them said they did not expect the party to crash the way it had done so far at the Appeal court tribunal. Twelve members of the House of Representatives sacked, three senators gone and then the election of the governor also nullified.
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