10th July, 2017
The Edo chapter of Conference of Nigeria Political Party (CNPP), on Monday, commended Supreme Court over its judgment on the September 2016 governorship election in the state.
The Chairman of the conference in the state, Mr Roy Oribhabo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin that the judgement had rekindled the confidence of the masses in the nation’s judiciary.
Oribhabo who commended the judiciary for the well researched and articulated judgment, said, indeed, the judiciary has once demonstrated that they are the last hope of the commoners in Nigeria.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the election, Mr Osagie Ize-Iyamu, had challenged the victory of Mr Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at the Election Petition Tribunal, alleging irregularities.
In April 2017, the three-member tribunal dismissed the petition, saying it lacked merit.
Similarly, the Appeal Court which the PDP approach over the tribunal’s ruling, in June, upheld Obaseki’s victory.
READ: Edo Guber: Ize-Iyamu congratulates Obaseki
And, the Supreme Court in a unanimous decision, on Monday, also dismissed the case for lack of merit.
Oribhabo said “this judgment has further vindicated us and the good people of Edo state who freely voted en-masse for Gov. Godwin Obaseki.
“As a major stakeholder in Edo politics, we had noted immediately after the election of Sept. 28, 2016, via a World news conference that INEC had conducted one of the best elections in Nigeria.
“We also commended the Nigeria Police for ensuring maximum security across the state which resulted to a largely peaceful exercise devoid of killings like what happened in some states.
“The electoral umpire, the INEC, trained its staff to be very professional and courteous in the discharge of their duties. Materials arrived as early as 7 a.m. in most polling units across the state.
“Finally, Edo CNPP calls on Gov. Obaseki to continue his good work to reposition our dear state and not to see Ize-Iyamu as an enemy but a partner in progress for the betterment of Edo.
“We advise the petitioner to support this administration for the interest of all.”