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| Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal |
The Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said that the petition filed at the Supreme Court by Mr Emeka Ihedioha had merit.
Ihedioha had, last week, approached the Supreme Court over what he described as contentious issues in the court’s judgment in the Imo State governorship election petition.
The apex court had, in a January 14 judgement, sacked Ihedioha who contested the election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Hope Uzodinma as winner of the election.
But Tambuwal, during a chat with journalists in Abuja on Monday, said he was hopeful that the Supreme Court would take a second look at the judgment, with a view to reversing it.
The governor also said the PDP Governors Forum would also lend support to the cause being pursued by Ihedioha.
Tambuwal said, “Of course I can confirm to you that Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha is re-approaching the Supreme Court for a review of the last judgement on the Imo election.
“We are all ready to support him and back him as a party and as a Forum. We are very sure that by the time the Supreme Court really takes a second look at the matter, there may be some change in its position.
“So we are praying hard and we are working hard to get what has not been properly delivered in terms of justice in that matter and that it is addressed”.
The Governor, who was on Monday, named the new chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, decried what he termed as attempts by the governing APC to foist a one-party state on the country.
When asked to pinpoint the signs indicating such attempts, the governor retorted, “Were you not in Nigeria when efforts were being made to take away our seats by hook or crook? Were you not in Nigeria? You know what I am talking about”.
He assured that the PDP Governors Forum will work with the leadership of the party to strengthen the main opposition party.
He said, “We will work with the National Working Committee and other organs of the party, for us to strengthen the party and to continue to build our democratic culture, the rule of law and constitutionalism in our country.
“And of course we will work towards fostering peace among governors and indeed the entire party.
“I assure you that we are going to use this platform to bring everybody on board. There are issues here and there but they are not beyond us and we shall reconcile those who are having some issues with one another and also ensure that our party is firmly positioned for the challenges ahead”.
Bemoaning the rising cases of insecurity in the country, the governor said the situation has taken a new dimension, particularly in many parts of the North.
He, however, assured that the PDP will continue to work with relevant stakeholders on the issue of insecurity.
“We don’t play politics with security, there is no political party when it comes to talks about security.
“Security is everybody’s concern and all of us are really involved in it. We will be supportive of the security agencies and ensure that we achieve lasting peace and stability in our respective states and the entire federation.
“So we will continue in that regard and we will continue to corporate with the federal government to come up with new ideas, new approach, especially when you talk about deploying technology and bringing more capable hands to ensure that we reverse the trend”, the governor said.
