Nwite said the Appeal Court verdict was a victory for the Ebonyi electorate who voted massively for the youthful governor.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Ebonyi State Agro-Entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Reunion Group, Michael Nwite, has hailed the Appeal Court victory of Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru, as “a validation of the will of the people whose mandate he overwhelmingly received at the last governorship election.”
The Appeal Court sitting in Lagos on Friday upheld the election that declared Francis Nwifuru as the governor of Ebonyi State.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Jummai Sankey, ruled unanimously that the PDP and its candidate, Chukwuma Odii, lacked the legal standing to challenge Nwifuru’s nomination as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.
The court also dismissed all five issues raised by the petitioners, declaring Nwifuru’s election valid and upholding his victory.
In a statement congratulating Governor Nwifuru, in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State capital on Saturday, Nwite, who is also the chairman of Desiderata Food and Drink, producers of Nero Premium Rice, said the Appeal Court verdict was a victory for the Ebonyi electorate who voted massively for the youthful governor.
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According to him, “Democracy thrives when the will and interest of the people are protected by institutions of democracy as the judiciary has done on this matter.
“The verdict is a validation of the will of the people, without which there is no democracy. And we are happy about that.
“It is now time for our dear governor to roll-up his sleeves and get to work to give our people quality leadership and governance, in the true sense of servant-leadership and democratic accountability, without unnecessary tribunal distractions, in order to reassure the people that they’ve made the right choice, by giving him their mandate. And also reawaken their hope in democracy.
“I urge everyone in Ebonyi, irrespective of political affiliation, to join hands with our dear governor as he strives to give Ebonyi the deserved best across board. Congratulations, Your Excellency!”