Wike says supreme court verdict a victory for democracy

Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers said on Wednesday that the Supreme Court victory for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was a victory for democracy.

Wike made the assertion in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Mr Simeon Nwakaudu.

He said that with the Supreme Court judgment in favour of PDP over the lingering leadership tussle in the party, Nigeria now had a viable opposition in the polity.

“I am very happy, Rivers people are very happy because we have no other party aside the PDP,” the governor said.

He stressed that the party would emerge from its crisis stronger because all the stakeholders would work hard to rebuild it.

Wike called on Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff and his supporters to keep their word and work with other stakeholders in the interest of the party.

He said that the former PDP Chairman had called him to assure him that he would respect whatever decision was reached by the Supreme Court.

“I urge them to keep their word; all of us will work together to re-position the party; the party will go back to the drawing board to move ahead.

“I don’t see any reason why Sheriff will not be a part of the party; he spoke to me last week that whatever the situation, he will remain in the party,” Wike said.

The governor noted that the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of PDP, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi would meet with all the stakeholders to plan a timetable for a national convention.

He congratulated party members for the victory at the Supreme Court and called on them to build bridges of friendship to further strengthen the party.