Okowa congratulates Diri on Appeal Court victory
- Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has reacted to the Appeal Court victory of his Bayelsa counterpart, Senator Douye Diri
- Okowa said the governorship election petitions tribunal ought not to have entertained the petition in the first place
- The Delta governor, however, commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for acting well on the matter
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Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has congratulated his Bayelsa counterpart, Senator Douye Diri, on his victory at the Appeal Court on Friday, October 2.
Okowa said that the verdict of the appellate court was a welcome development, adding that the governorship election petitions tribunal, which nullified Diri’s election earlier, ought not to have entertained the petition in the first place as it was a pre-election matter.
Okowa stated this in a statement by his spokesman, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, and commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for acting well on the matter.
He also commended the five-man panel of the appellate court for overturning the ruling of the tribunal.
Source: Twitter
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According to the governor, the judgement of the appellate court on the matter is a victory for the nation’s democracy and a reaffirmation of the powers of INEC to act as an unbiased umpire.
Part of the statement read:
“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate my brother governor, Senator Douye Diri, on this victory.
“The case was a needless distraction as the tribunal ought not to have entertained the petition because it was a pre-election matter and was also status barred.
“This victory is for all Bayelsans, and I urge the ANDP to sheathe its sword and work for the interest of the people of the state.”
Legit.ng had earlier reported that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hailed the judgement of the appeal court which upheld the election victory of Governor Diri.
In a statement by the party on Friday, October 2, through its spokesperson Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP described the victory as a triumph for the rule of law and for the people of Bayelsa state.
On his part, Governor Diri said those fighting him are fighting God, emphasising that he is a product of divine grace.
According to the governor, his victory showed that God wanted to use him to lead Bayelsa into its greatness.
His words:
“I am just an instrument God is using to usher Bayelsa to the path of prosperity hence if you are fighting the system, you are fighting God Himself.”
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Source: Legit.ng
