Appeal Court Judgement, Victory For Democracy – LP

The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure has described the Appeal Court’s judgement in the Delta State Governorship election as victory for democracy.

This is contained in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh in Abuja.

The statement explains that the judgement is a clear indication that the judiciary can be effective, impartial and truly represent the mandate of the masses.

“We are pleased with the position of the Appeal Court today. We were shocked at the decision of the tribunal to stifle prematurely our matter. We were not even allowed to present our matter”.

It also calls on other judicial institutions in Nigeria to take a cue from the Asaba Appeal Court and dispense judgment without fear or favour.

“With the Appeal Court overturning the tribunal’s judgement today, we are happy that we can now reopen our case again against the PDP candidate who was erroneously declared winner of the last election by the Independent National Electoral Commission”.

According to the statement the Delta election petition tribunal had dismissed LP’s case against the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party—PDP over alleged abandonment by the petitioners but the Appeal court in a landmark judgement disagreed with the tribunal and went ahead to refer the petition of the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party–LP in the State, Ken Pela back to the tribunal for onward hearing.

“Justice was not served and that made us to approach the appellate court requesting it to review the case which the tribunal had rejected” Ifoh adds.

“Labour Party won the governorship election in Delta State and like in most other states, some people had conspired to snatch the state from us and they went ahead to use the tribunal to stop us from proving that we won”.

“I want to use this opportunity to appreciate the judiciary and to urge them to always stand on the ground of justice and fairness in dispensing every case brought before it. Whether at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal or state tribunal, the people’s wishes must be respected at all times.

“Nigeria’s democracy will gain more when right judgments are given.” Ifoh emphasizes.

Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji