From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Rivers Peace Initiative (RPI) have hailed the Supreme Court for reaffirming Siminalayi Fubara, as governor of Rivers State.
The groups’ reactions were on the heels of the apex court’s verdict delivered on Thursday, where the governorship candidate of APC, Tonye Cole, challenged the victory of Fubara at the 2023 governorship election in the state.
State Publicity Secretary of APC, Darlington Nwauju, in a statement, said there were oppressive Executive Orders tended to intimidate other political parties from participating in that election.
He said: “We all know it is the final court of the land and there must necessarily be an end to litigations. We are extremely grateful and indebted to our solid followership for their textbook resilience and extraordinary courage in the face of temptations and trials.
“We ran an election in the face of draconian Executive Orders, intimidation from institutions that should ordinarily be neutral.”
Also, the NUJ in a statement issued by the chairman, Stanley Job Stanley, and Secretary, Ike Wigodo, felicitated with the governor Siminilayi Fubara, on his affirmation by the Supreme Court as the duly elected governor of the State during the March 18, 2023 governorship poll.
The union said the judgement of the apex court has finally put to rest the prolonged legal battle arising from the outcome of the governorship election in the state.
It described the Supreme Court’s declaration as a confirmation of the people’s trust and mandate freely given to the governor.
The union appealed to Governor Fubara to be magnanimous in victory and also see his victory at the apex court as a birthday gift to him and Rivers State.
The NUJ urged the governor not to be distracted by political opponents but to focus on delivering good governance to the people of Rivers State.
The Union also advised the opponents to accept the Supreme Court’s judgement in good faith and join hands with the government to move the state forward.
“We urge the people of Rivers State, especially the political class, to put all that happened during and after the elections in the state behind them and support the Siminilayi Fubara-led government to succeed and make Rivers State a better place for all”, the statement added.
Similarly, the RPI has advised Rivers people to accept the verdict, unite and move the state forward.
Convener of the group, Obinna Ebogidi, stated: “But, as we navigate through the decision of the apex court today, it is important that we unite in a shared commitment to peace, understanding, and a collective pursuit of justice for all.
“We must adopt the “No Victor, No Vanquish” option to enable us see through the peculiar situation we find ourselves. For those who were not favoured by the Judgment, let’s sheath our swords in the bigger interest of our state and to those who were favoured, please remember that we are all one, and extend the olive branch in its true sense.
“The Supreme Court ruling does not also call for unwarranted celebration knowing that this is simply a resolution of a difference between brothers, so as not to fuel the feeling of loss that may result in violence.
“We all know that the happenings in our state today, transcends political and party lines. It is obvious that our economy and social lives are seriously impacted negatively as a result of the seeming lack of security occasioned by this unsettled political waters. The fear in the state and negative impact knows no party, religious or ethnic affiliations and hence, it requires our collective resolve.
“In light of this, we call on our politicians to refrain from using inflammatory, derogatory and vexing words to avoid heating up the political and socio-economic landscape of our state. We must realize that everything in life has got its time and season.”
Meanwhile, governor Fubara has declared that his administration will not be distracted from achieving its purpose of good governance.
He also expressed gratitude to God, President Bola Tinubu, his predecessor and Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike and Rivers people for victory.
He, however, called on the opposition parties to join in building Rivers State.