The Chairman, Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Obuah says there is nothing wrong with the January 27 Judgment delivered unanimously by the seven Supreme Court Jurists led by the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mahmud Muhammed.

Bro. Obuah explained that the PDP is not pleased with the comments emanating from the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Odigie–Oyegun, that there is something fundamentally wrong with the judicial arm of government over the Supreme Court Judgment in favour of Governor Wike of Rivers State, saying that was not a view expected of a Statesman he ought to be.

Obuah made this claim in a statement signed by Mr Jerry Needam, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

The PDP Chairman described Oyegun’s position as not only disrespectful to the eminent Justices, the Judiciary and the apex Court in the land but a dangerous threat to the survival of the hard earned democracy in the State and the nation, adding that it is most unfortunate and disappointing that such statement came from a senior citizen like Chief Odigie-Oyegun.

He noted that rather than commending the Justices of the Supreme Court for taking action to maintain the independence and unbiased position of the judiciary by declaring sound judgments as in the case of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Abia and Ebonyi States, the APC National Chairman, Oyegun preferred to make such derogatory and unpatriotic statements about the Judiciary.

“One thing is certain and that is the fact that the Supreme Court Justices took the part of honour and dignity by not yielding to the pressure and influence by the APC led Federal Government, demanding the nullification of the elections of the affected PDP State Governors; a commendable feat by the Supreme Court Justices.

“Another truth revealed to us in Oyegun’s statements is the fact that the APC leadership was and is not interested in the development and welfare of the people or simply put, good governance, but obviously interested in the economic resources of the States.

“According to Oyegun, “we (APC) have lost every important resource-rich States to the PDP. No matter how crude oil prices have fallen, it is still the most important revenue earner for the country”. This statement clearly exposes the selfish and economic interest of the APC, rather than genuine quest for the development of the area; quite unfortunate!

“One other issue of serious concern is the desperate declaration to the Rivers APC delegation that the national leadership of the party will give necessary support to ensure successes in subsequent elections in Rivers State, while responding to an earlier request by the leader of the delegation, Mr. Dakuku Peterside, for the Federal Government and the APC national leadership to ‘do all that it takes to win all 12 House of Representatives seats, three (3) Senate seats and 22 seats in the State Assembly that will enable us produce the Speaker of the House.’

“Our view of this position is that even if it requires setting the State ablaze just for the APC to secure all these seats in the elections is of no consequence to the APC. This must not be allowed to be witnessed in our State, especially when everyone has his or her fundamental rights to vote for his or her choice.

“It is therefore, important that we remind the APC leadership that we are in a democracy where the three arms of government must be made to function independently, with checks and balance; where people should be allowed to take decision based on their conviction and choice. It is only in a dictatorial regime that the Oyegun’s policies and principles can strive. The people have spoken and God has heard the voices of the people through the decision of the Supreme Court, only Odigie-Oyegun and the APC leadership know what they mean by investigating the applaudable judgment of the Apex Court.

“It is on this premise that we call on all Nigerians to be on alert on what the APC led government wants to turn the judiciary and the entire country into.

“We also call on the international community to prevail on the APC national leadership to respect the Constitution of the land and subject themselves to the rule of law as it is only through this that the rights of individuals and institutions can be guaranteed, thereby paving way for meaningful development and peace in the country.”

•Photo shows Chief Odigie-Oyegun.

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