2nd February, 2016
Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
Governors Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe states can now concentrate fully on governance as the Supreme Court unanimously affirmed that they were all validly elected as chief executives of their various states on Tuesday.
The court, the highest in Nigeria dismissed the petition filed against the election of Ajimobi by Alhaji Rasheed Ladoja, a former governor of the state and Accord Party governorship candidate in the 2015 gubernatorial election.
The court dismissed the petition for lack of merit. Ladoja had earlier lost an attempt to overturn Ajimobi’s victory in the 2015 gubernatorial election at the Election Petition Tribunal and at the appeal court.
The Justices of the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision also dismissed the appeal against the elections of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
The apex court described the appeal by Emehor Otega of the All Progressives Congress and Great Ogboru of Labour Party against Governor Okowa’s election as an abuse of court process.
Similarly, the court affirmed the election of Governor Geidam of Yobe State.
The Justices said stated they would give the reasons for the three judgements on February 15.
Meanwhile, the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Monday Igbuya, on Tuesday described the Supreme Court judgement as brilliant and straightforward.
He also said Governor Okowa’s victory at the apex court was well deserved as “it is the will of a democratic majority”.
Igbuya in a statement issued in Abuja said Okowa’s victory at the Supreme Court should be seen as “historic”
He described Governor Okowa’s victory in the April 11, 2015 governorship election as a testimony of his recognition and his immense ability and contributions to the state.
“One was not in doubt that you would emerge the winner at the apex court” he said.
The Speaker acknowledged Okowa’s dogged commitment to the development and unity of the state.
He praised the governor for translating his campaign promises into concrete verifiable imperatives.
He also praised him for transforming the state to a cohesive, modern wealth creation enterprise.
“Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is providing service oriented leadership to the people. He is directing the energies of the youths to creative and constructive channels. He is making Delta State politically vibrant and ethnically united” he said.
Igbuya, a man that will never violate the norms of good governance, progressive leadership, integrity and credibility, also promised to rise to his constitutional and public duties.
“The Delta State House of Assembly will give His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa the needed support to move the state forward” he said.
An elated Igbuya appealed to Chief Great Ogboru and Chief O’tega Emerhor to join Governor Okowa in developing the state.
He expressed appreciation to the people of the State for electing Dr. Okowa, urging them to key- into the S.M.A.R.T agenda of the current administration.
“Let us work toward a better and greater Delta State” he added.