Posted by By EMMANUEL OGOIGBE-Warri on
A chieftain of the peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Newuwumi Omolubi has faulted the Supreme Court verdict against ex-governor Celestine Omehia, saying the apex court only succeeded in imposing Governor Rotimi Amaechi on Rivers State.
A chieftain of the peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Newuwumi Omolubi has faulted the Supreme Court verdict against ex-governor Celestine Omehia, saying the apex court only succeeded in imposing Governor Rotimi Amaechi on Rivers State.
According to him, Governor Amaechi only contested in the primary but did not vote or was voted for in the general election and expressed shock as to why the Supreme Court turned around to declare him (Amaechi) the governor.
Omolubi cited section 179 (a) of the constitution to buttress his claim, adding that the Supreme Court erred greatly on the issue.
While calling for the reversal of the judgment, Omolubi, who is a member of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan peace committee on Delta water-ways, contended that Governor Amaechi was not at any time sponsored by any political party before the apex court annulled the election of former governor Omehia and brought Amaechi in his place.
Omolubi further argued that the Supreme Court ought to have taken into account that even, if the judgment was in favour of Amaechi, it ought to have ordered for a fresh election instead of imposing Amaechi.
'This is a very complex issue because one needs to emerge and contest on the election day. Even if Amaechi had become the flag bearer of the PDP in the April 14 exercise, does that automatically make him the governor?" the PDP chieftain, asked insisting that the supreme court erred by imposing Governor Amaechi against the wish of the people of Rivers State .
'We are afraid of another case in Imo State where the PDP did not field any candidate because one being ignorant of the law is not an excuse. The constitution is very clear on this issue which says any candidate must vote and be voted for", argued Omolubi, stressing that due process was not followed.
Asked to proffer solution to the worrisome issue, Hon Omolubi who is also the president, Iwere Development Association (IDA) Warri, suggested that the supreme court should order a re-election to enable a popular candidate emerge as the true governor of the state.