The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described Saturday’s judgement
of the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that
overturned the election of Gov. Nyesom Wike of the PDP as a deadly
body blow to impunity and hooliganism.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity
Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the judgement has shown
clearly that the era of impunity and hooliganism is over, and that the
only way for elections to have legitimacy is for them to be free, fair
and credible.
”What has come across from this judgement is that there is no
shortcut to free, fair and credible elections. This is part of the
wind of change that is blowing across the land and touching all arms
of government under the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
”Elections are about the expression of the will of the people, and
they must always be free to express themselves, irrespective of what
some desperate politicians may feel,” it said.
APC said politicians, especially those seeking or occupying elective
office, must realize that they can only derive their legitimacy from
the people, and that unless they respect the wishes of the people, they will not go far.
The party hailed its governorship candidate in Rivers, Mr. Dakuku
Peterside, for his doggedness and strong conviction in the pursuit of
his petition against the election of Wike that was not only marred by
widespread violence and electoral malfeasance, but also acknowledged
to be so by local and international observers – and now by the
judiciary.
It urged all APC members and supporters in the state to remain
peaceful, even in the face of provocation by those who are now
realizing, to their chagrin, that there is always a limit to
everything, including impunity and hooliganism.
