Omehia Vows To Sack Amaechi

The supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have been jolted by yesterday’s ruling of the Federal Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt.

Ardent supporters of Celestin Omehia, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Rivers State governorship candidate had subdued celebrations in Port Harcourt , expressing optimism that the April governorship election that brought incumbent Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to power for the second tenure would be nullified.

The Appeal court sitting in Port Harcourt ordered a fresh hearing on the petition filed by the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and governorship candidate, Celestine Omehia challenging the victory of Governor Amaechi in the April polls.

The unanimous judgment of the Appeal Court was delivered by Justice Istifanus Thomas.

The lead counsel to APGA governorship candidate in the April poll Somina Elekima said that the judgement will enable APGA to return to the tribunal and complete its case seeking the nullification of the April poll.

He accused INEC of denying APGA access to forensic examination of materials used for the April election.

The counsel to Governor Amaechi and INEC, Latif Fagbemi was absent in court.

However, his representative Oluseyi Diya said the ruling will be communicated to their client and that the ruling may be dragged to the Supreme Court, Abuja.

The Director, Media and Publicity of Omehia campaign organization, Mr Barth Emuekpere, who spoke to P.M.NEWS in Port Harcourt on phone on behalf of Omehia, said that the unanimous judgement of the Appeal Court judges is a good omen for the reform promised by the new Chief Justice of the Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher.

“We are in a massive celebration mood. Never again will a sitting governor think that the power of incumbency will always guarantee him victory at the law courts or tribunals. We will now go back to the tribunal and prove our case that there was no governorship election this year,” he said.

He expressed optimism that there is now hope on the horizon for the voiceless and oppressed as the judiciary moves to reform itself.

Meanwhile, Amaechi was out of the state yesterday and there has not been any official reaction to the ruling by the state government.

—Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt