Supreme Court judgment, strong affirmation of independence of judiciary –APC

From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the Supreme Court judgments on eight states on Friday was a strong affirmation of the authority, vibrancy and independence of the Judiciary.

APC, in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, noted that it welcomed, with equanimity, the decisions on election petitions challenging the outcome of the governorship elections in the eight states.

It noted that the decisions must serve as a rebuke to political opposition figures that vilified and denigrated the courts when judgments were handed against them in these same matters.

According to the statement; “Lagos, Ebonyi and Cross River States, the Supreme Court upheld the election of governorship candidates of our great party. However, the appeals on Kano, Zamfara, Bauchi, Plateau and Abia states were decided in favour of other political parties and their candidates.

“While the Apex Court’s decisions will undoubtedly elicit mixed reactions and reviews, the decisions are final and binding on all parties to the legal contests. The decisions today provide a strong affirmation of the authority, vibrancy and independence of the Judiciary.

“APC has been consistent in its position that the Judiciary must be left alone to perform its important duty of resolving disputes, including electoral disputes as constitutionally mandated.

“The decisions today must serve as a rebuke to political opposition figures that vilified and denigrated our courts when judgments were handed against them in these same matters,” it noted.

While reacting further, the ruling party wrote that; “Assuming that it has any spec of decency left, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must tender unreserved apology to the courts and our judges for the senseless, irresponsible, reckless and unjustified attacks it mounted against the Judiciary throughout this electoral cycle.

“We congratulate the winners, particularly our Governors, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, and Bassey Otu of Cross River State, and wish them the very best as they continue to serve their states and country. We urge everyone to remain calm and continue to maintain the peace,” the statement read.