Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, who are loyal to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike as well as those loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara are celebrating the judgement of the Court of Appeal.
Also celebrating the judgement are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by Chief Tony Okocha.
LEADERSHIP observed that celebration of the respective political camps were based on their interpretations of the appellate court’s order.
Speaking on the development, caretaker committee chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Chief Tony Okocha, said the judgement of the Court of Appeal calls for celebration.
Okocha said: “I don’t know a sweeter moment than this because the Court of Appeal judgement has come to settle grey areas in our politics. The Court of Appeal said the order sought to be made or purportedly made by Justice CN Wali was in error. He has no jurisdiction; that this jurisdiction is simple and clear. The jurisdiction is a reserve of the Federal High Court. So, it was a nullity.
“On the order of the other court, the Court of Appeal said it didn’t follow the principles of fair hearing. So all of those are through to the trash can. They are in the dustbin as we speak. You know the Court of Appeal, in their wisdom, consolidated all the issues and dealt with the one by each.”
Reacting to the Appeal Court order, a PDP member loyal to Fubara, Dr. Legborsi Yamaabana, said on the contrary, going by the judgement of the appellate court, the issue concerning members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who defected from tbd party to the APC is far from being resolved.
Yamaabana said: “The issue concerning the defected former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martins Amaewhule, is far from being resolved.
“The appeal court’s recent decision focused solely on jurisdiction, ruling that only the Federal High Court can hear the case.
“Given the plethora of cases pending in the Federal High Court on this matter, the current celebrations by Amaewhule and his co-travelers are not only premature but misguided.
“The law is clear: a lost seat is a lost seat. There is no escape from the consequences of their actions.”