The Supreme Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the appeal filed by Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha challenging the decision of the appeal court to join ex- Governor Ikedi Ohakim as a party to the suit filed by Guber candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria, Senator, Ifeanyi Ararume, challenging the legality of supplementary elections of May 6, 2011 that produced Owelle Rochas Okorocha as the winner of 2011 Guber election.
Adjourning after the Counsels of the interested parties had made their submissions and withdrawals for consolidation of motions, the Chairman of the Seven man judicial panel, Justice Tanko Mohammad said the matter before them is not that of Election Petition Tribunal, which has statutory time frame of one hundred and eighty days, wherefore urging the counsels especially who are to prepare their necessary motions so as not to continue the matter ad infinitum.
Responding to the journalists on the matter, Imo State Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere says he believes in the Judiciary and that they expect that justice will be achieved at the end of the day. His words, “Judiciary remains the last hope of the common man. How can you explain it to the masses of IMO State? What would you tell them that happened to their votes? Nigerian Judiciary has done well and with the emergence of the new Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Aloma Muktar, a lot is being done to uphold the high integrity the Judiciary is known. Today, Democracy is on trial, people who believe in Justice are waiting, the good people of IMO State who are the installers and establishers of Rescue Mission Government are watching.
I mean, how can anyone explain it? A matter had been properly handled by the competent Courts of law from the lowest to the apex level and now somebody felt he could come back through the back door. It is only an intruder or a thief that comes into a house through the window or back door or through a door break. There must be some explanation. His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s mandate is divine, which was authenticated by the masses of IMO State.
In the same vein, The Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu said that what happened today at the Supreme Court is clear that the PDP plot is effort in futility. It is a fact that Governor Okorocha’s mandate is divine said he. Continuing, “Even a layman knows that their case lacks merit”. He averred he had expected PDP to join hands to support Governor Okorocha in transformation of IMO State. He further pledged even a greater support of the IMO House of Assembly to IMO Governor towards achieving all he has strategically planned for development of IMO State.
The atmosphere of the court premises was filled with IMO Community resident in Abuja who had come to show solidarity to the Governor of IMO State while Ohakim’s Media aide, Ethelbert Okere and other PDP scanty supporters were sighted wearing long faces discussing the matter in low tones.
