The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure, has described the Appeal Court’s judgement in the Delta state governorship election as a victory for democracy and a clear testimony that the judiciary can be effective, impartial, and truly the conscience of the masses.
The National Chairman also called on other judicial institutions in Nigeria to take a cue from the Asaba Appeal Court and dispense judgment without fear or favour, in spite of the persons that may be involved.
Chronicle NG reports that in a statement by the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the national chairman said that with the Appeal Court’s ruling today, the Labour Party has now been given the opportunity to prove its case at the tribunal.
He said, “We are pleased with the position of the Appeal Court today. We were shocked at the decision of the tribunal to stifle our case prematurely. We were not even allowed to present our case. Justice was not served, and that made us approach the appellate court, requesting that it review the case that the tribunal had rejected.
The Labour Party won the governorship election in Delta State, and like in most other states, some undemocratic elements 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 with every other case brought before it. Whether at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal or a state tribunal, the people’s wishes must be respected at all times. Nigeria’s democracy will gain more when the right judgements are given.”
