Refrain From Castigating Judges, Wike Cautions Supporters

DESPITE his recent political setback at the election petition tribunal, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has cautioned his supporters to refrain from criticising judges.

Wike has therefore reaffirmed his confidence in and respect for the judiciary to do justice in the state governorship legal tussle between him and the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dakuku Peterside, who is challenging his declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the April 11, 2015 governorship election.

It could be recalled that the Justice Mohammed Ambrusa-led election petition tribunal last Saturday in Abuja, nullified the April 11, 2015 Rivers State governorship election and ordered for a re-run within 90 days.

Wike, while addressing Rivers State stakeholders comprising elected senators, House of Representatives members, traditional rulers, elder statesmen and state legislators, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, advised them not to criticise judges despite the judicial setback.

He pointed out that the appeal process would correct the judicial opinion of the state tribunal.

Present at the meeting were the acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, Senator George Sekibo, former Minister of Transport, Abiye Sekibo, Mr. Ferdinand Alabrabra and former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Onueze Okocha, among others.
The governor dissociated himself from a statement from one of his aides describing the tribunal’s judgment as judicial terrorism and gang-up.

He said the aide had no mandate to issue such a statement, noting that as a lawyer, he respects the judiciary and knows the appellate process to seek redress.

“Be assured by the Grace of God our lawyers are working hard to file the appeal within stipulated time. I have told people that it is not in our character to cast aspersions on judges. I have also told people not to speak on my behalf to castigate judges. The tribunal is not the final appellate court on this matter. There is no need of castigating the judiciary.