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PDP welcomes court’s ruling on Akwa Ibom election dispute, counsels APC against further legal battle

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The Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the Appeal Court victory of the state governor, Udom Emmanuel.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the appellate court sitting in Calabar, Cross River, on Wednesday affirmed the victory of Governor Emmanuel in the March 9 governorship election in the state.

The court upheld an earlier ruling by the state governorship election petition tribunal that dismissed the petition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nsima Ekere, challenging Emmanuel’s declaration as winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Responding in a statement issued by its state’s Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party described the court’s judgement as justice directed by law and not through federal might or political colouration.

The PDP claimed that the ruling had further aligned with reality by confirming the sanctity of the ballot.

PDP also urged the APC and its candidate to partner with the Governor Emmanuel rather escalate the issue to the Supreme Court.

READ ALSO: Gov Emmanuel floors APC’s Ekere at Appeal Court

The statement read: “In the well-considered judgement, the noble Lords of the penultimate court held that the appeal was lacking in merit, agreeing with the tribunal that the APC did not lead credible evidence to prove their case and that they had dumped documents in the panel without linking them, as required by law.

“By this judgment, the judiciary has again shown that justice is directed by law and not federal might, partisan colouration or other extra-legal dispositions. To this, we are deeply grateful to the court and wholeheartedly welcome the judgement.”

Ememobong renewed the call for partnership with the APC in the execution of Akwa Ibom Project.

“We acknowledge the zeal and emotional investments committed to the governorship quest by Obong Nsima Ekere, an illustrious Akwa Ibom son, who rose to the exalted office of Deputy Governor through the instrumentality of our party. He has fought the fight, ran the race, but the results are not in his favour. We urge him to avoid the temptation of escalation of commitment and rather view the Akwa Ibom project as the cynosure and act in the benefit of the larger interest of the people,” the party added.

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