Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.
Shortly after the pronouncement of the Supreme Court verdict on the Kogi state governorship election affirming the victory of the incumbent, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the opposition PDP, prominent indigenes of the state, stakeholders and groups in their reactions praised the Judiciary for a job well-done
The Supreme Court on Monday in Abuja upheld the earlier decision of both the election petition tribunal and the Appeal Court which declared Bello winner of the November 2019 election.
Kogi state Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC), Alhaji Abdullahi Bello has described the Supreme Court verdict as a well deserved victory for Governor Bello.
The APC Chairman therefore urged all opposition parties in the state to join hands with the ruling party to move the state forward.
The People’s Democratic Party, PDP and Social Democratic Party engaged the Governor and the ruling party to the courts in their bid to claim victory of the election INEC declared Bello as the winner.
“Our doors are open and we are ready to involve everyone in moving the state forward to the next level of development and prosperity.” The chairman said in an interview on Monday.
He said that ” the Supreme court’s ruling was a pointer to the fact that the judiciary was a trusted ally in the task of ensuring justice for the common man.”
On its part, the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, has accepted the Supreme Court’s judgement affirming Governor Yahaya Bello as the winner of last November election.
In a statement issued on Monday shortly after the Supreme Court ruling, the party paid glowing tribute to its flag bearer, Engr. Musa Wada and his running mate, Hon. Sam Aro.
A statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary of PDP, Bode Ogunmola, said while it accepts in good faith the ruling of the Apex Court, it leaves the final judgement to God.
The statement said while the highest court in the land has given its verdict, the PDP has no choice than to accept it and commended the resilience of its members and the teeming supporters of the party.
It also appreciated the legal team of the party and paid tribute to all those who either died, got maimed or injured during the election.
The statement said, “We thank God for the grace and the courage to go this far. We believe that He has the ultimate say.”
The Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Matthew Kolawole has described the victory of Governor Yahaya Bello and his Deputy Chief Edward Onoja at the Supreme Court against the Governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Engr. Musa Wada and Social Democratic Party (SDP) Natasha Akpoti, respectively as historic.
Rt. Hon. Kolawale said it was heartwarming to receive the cheering news of the landmark judgment which has once again confirmed the popularity of the All Progressive Congress in the state, stressing the petitions lacked merit, applauding the Jurists at the Supreme Court for doing justice in upholding the decision of the lower courts on the issues.
The Speaker said that the victory was the result of the rigorous campaigns that earned the majority votes of the electorates across the 21 Local Government Areas in the State.
He urged the opposition to drop whatever grievances they might have and join hands with Governor Yahaya Bello to move the State to the next level of development, noting the election was squarely won overwhelmingly by the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Governor Yahaya Bello.
He assured the legislative arm under his watch will continue to collaborate with the Executive and other stakeholders to make laws that will enable Governor Yahaya Bello-led administration to do more for the people of the state.
In another reaction, a group, Advocacy For Change and Good governance in Nigeria a non governmental organisation, described the Supreme Court judgement reaffirming Governor Bello’s victory as a victory for democracy and justice in Nigeria.
Chairman of the group Comrade Osachi Adex Shuaibu in a chat with our Correspondent on Monday in Lokoja said Alhaji Yahaya Bello deserved victory having scaled over hurdles and obstacles of during election processes and post election litigations.
While commending the Judiciary for abiding by the truth Comrade Shuaibu said the verdict is a confirmation of God’s intervention through Bello to salvage the state from negative and anti social acts that has retarded development in the past.
He enjoined Alhaji Yahaya Bello to improve on his performance especially welfare of the people, economy, and venturing into Small and Medium Enterprises for rapid industrialisation of the state.
He also appealed to the losers both the election the courts to join Bello in task ahead for meaningful development of the state
