Posted by By Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka. on
Governor Chris Ngige yesterday said that the judgment of the five-man Election Petition Tribunal led by Justice Garuba Nabaruma against him is a miscarriage of justice and would not be acceptable by him.
Governor Chris Ngige yesterday said that the judgment of the five-man Election Petition Tribunal led by Justice Garuba Nabaruma against him is a miscarriage of justice and would not be acceptable by him.
Consequently he said his legal team would filing an appeal against the judgment stressing that he was optimistic he would win at the appeal.
His speech "I've just received the verdict of the election petition tribunal as to the governorship in Anambra State conducted in the year 2003 and we have not gotten a copy of the judgment but suffice it to say that overall they declared the APGA candidate the winner, that is Mr. Peter Obi.
"The kernel of the judgment as I am made to understand is that he had one third spread in 17 local government and I had nine. But I can tell you that without even seeing a copy of the judgment, I believe there has been a miscarriage of justice and we are dissatisfied with that judgment and my legal team have accordingly filed notice of appeal.
Meanwhile in a telephone chat with APGA Presidential candidate in the same election, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, he urged the people of the state to remain clam.
Ojukwu who called from America where he went for Medical check up said, "Tell Anambra State people and Ndigbo in general to remain calm. I have always known that the truth shall be vindicated,. Remain calm as God will usher in a new era with this judgment in Igboland begin with Anambra State".
The leader of Obi's legal team, Senator Nathaniel Anah (SAN) said, "This has demonstrated that we were robbed of justice and justice has now been restored to the people of Anambra State. At the same the success of the judgment is a victory for democracy.
Lead Counsel to Ngige, Chief J.H.C Okolo (SAN) said the battle would continue, "if you look at Section 138(2 )of the Electoral Act, you will see that the battle continues".
Chief Udechukwu Nnoruka Udechukwu, Attorney general and Commissioner for Justice "You know I'm not in the team, I supposed the team will consider an appeal".
Contrary to speculations and fears that Awka the State capital would boil should the Election Petition Tribunal give judgment unfavorable to government, the city yesterday remained calm and normal.
Outside the heavy presence of Mobile Policemen between Thursday and Friday afternoon the city has been quite as it used to be, just as normal government and private businesses continued unabated.
As early as 7 am Friday mobile policemen had condoned off court road leading to the Tribunal Venue diverting motorists to other roads, while people were thoroughly searched and screened before the cross on foot along the court road.
But about one hour after the judgment was delivered, the police disappeared from the roads as there were pockets of jubilation mostly among APGA people.
Reactions
Chief Sylvester Nwobu Alor - Campaign Co-ordinator, Peter Obi Camping Organization.
This is triumph of good over evil, and this is the beginning of sanitization of politics in Anambra State. We are enthroning democracy from this date. Justice, equity and good conscience have been established by this judgment
Barrister Ikechukwu Onyeabor
The judgment is fantastic, it is something that God has ordained and it is just to the point. This is what the people of Nigeria have been expecting; anything different could have caused hypertension. The men in the Tribunal are God fearing men, they saw he truth and they have the courage to pronounce the truth. It I the beginning of real development in Anambra State.
Alhaji Sani Shinkafi: APGA National Secretary:
This success to democracy in Nigeria because if you look at the present administration's war against corruption crusade, this is a great achievement for democracy and it has shown and proved to Nigerians that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria.
"So with this court verdict, I call on all people of Anambra State to co-operate with Mr. Peter Obi who is the legally elected by majority of the people of Anambra State. With this verdict, I have a great confidence in the judiciary".