The Chairman of the Peoples
Democratic Party PDP Governors Forum and Executive Governor of Ondo State Dr Olusegun Mimiko has
urged his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike to rev up his performance now
that the burden of litigation has been lifted.
In a congratulatory message, issued by his
Chief Press Secretary, Mr Eni Akinsola, Governor Mimiko rejoiced with Wike and
urged him to compensate the electorate who stood by him in the course of
courts’ proceedings with exemplary performance.
Mimiko said “the judgment affirms the votes
you had in the elections and attests to the love your citizens have for you.
Their steadfastness through the process of adjudication was a sign of their
confidence in your ability to deliver on your campaign promises.
“You must, therefore, gird your loins and rev
up your machinery of governance to meet their yearnings and expectations.”
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles
Ehiedu Aniagwu, Governor Okowa, said that by this judgment, the Supreme Court,
lifted a burden off the shoulders of well meaning people of Rivers and Ebonyi
State and tasked both Governor Wike and Umahi to reciprocate the gesture by
running an inclusive government.
“Rivers State, her friends and
neighbours waited with baited breath for this favourable judgment. Your ‘long
walk’ to victory must not be taken for granted.
You must reward the state with open, transparent and purposeful
leadership. Rivers people can’t settle for less” Governor Okowa noted.
Governor Okowa also called on the
candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Dakuku Peterside, to
demonstrate maturity by appealing to his supporters to take the judgment in
good faith. This, the Governor said, would provide even ground that would
accelerate development in the state.
“This judgment brings to an end all
contests for the office of Governor of Rivers State and governance can’t be
pigeon-holed if it has to address the good of the people” he said.
The judgement of the apex court on the cases of Governors Wike
and Umahi is a victory for our democracy and a reaffirmation of the divine
mandate freely given to them by the people of both states and commended the
Apex court for ensuring the sanctity of the people’s mandate.
“The ruling of the Supreme Court will go
a long way in restoring the hope and confidence of the Nigerian people on the
sanctity of the judiciary”.
Okowa who cited the broad- mindedness of Governor Ayo Fayose of
Ekiti state, as demonstrated by Fayose’s recent visit to Governor Rauf
Aregbesola of Osun state and called on politicians; particularly those of Niger
Delta extraction to emulate such principle and begin to align forces for the
progress of the region, irrespective of political affiliation.
“We should all learn to be good winners
and good losers” Governor Okowa said, and called on residents of the state to
refuse to be drawn into bitter confrontation with one another on account of
pecuniary interest of any politician.
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