Imo Supreme Court Judgment: Sen. Abaribe, Warns Against Acceptance Of Unit Results From Source Other Than INEC

…Says trend poses threat to democratic institutions

Senator elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party
(PDP) has urged the party not to despair over the Supreme Court
ruling that removed erstwhile governor of Imo State, Emeka
Ihedioha, saying this is not the time for blame game as “this dark
hour will surely pass away.”

Minority Leader of the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe, who bemoaned
the outcome of the judgment in a statement released in Abuja by his
Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, advised that the ruling should be
taken in good faith in deference to the protection of the sanctity
of institutions of governance.

The minority leader, however, warned of an imminent weakening of
some critical agencies of democracy, particularly with the
acceptance of unit results from sources other than the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) certified results, without
calling unit witnesses as already established by the same Supreme
Court in a similar case involving former Vice President, Atiku
Abubakar recently.

“What it means is that results from security agencies like Civil
Defense, Army, Navy and even community ones like Hisba, JTF et al,
will be more sacrosanct and acceptable than the official INEC
tabulation,”Abaribe added.

He said the painful outcome of the legal process has again
raised poignant questions that should ignite serious calls for
total reforms of the electoral and governance structures in
Nigeria.

“The stark reality in the circumstance,” Abaribe added “is that
the apex court is the final arbiter and it’s decisions must be
respected at all times,” he added.

Nonetheless, the minority leader lamented the contradictions in
the final analysis, especially when the statistics of who-got-what
in the state Assembly among the various political parties is put
side by side in the result that was recorded same day with the
gubernatorial election.

“How many Houses of Assembly members in Imo State did APC
produce in the election that was held on the same day as this
governorship election in question? Can someone refresh us…? PDP won
13 seats, AA 8, APGA 6, and APC won 0 seat out of a total 27
seats.

“And now by this judgement, the APC that did not win any seat in
the House of Assembly in the election that was held and collated
the same day won the Imo State Governorship Election at the Supreme
Court. APC should not gloat.

“These are times that make hearts and wills falter. But as the
Holy book says …this too shall pass away. For our friend and
brother Emeka Ihedioha, courage is the name. This will also pass
away.

“Your valedictory speech is heartwarming. It shows that there
will be a rosy tomorrow from today’s despondency. For all of us in
the PDP this is not a time for blames. When men are bent on evil,
they will not stop, but ultimately the will of the people shall
prevail,” he said.

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