…JONATHAN, MARK, DICKSON HAIL JUDGMENT

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has welcomed the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, delivered yesterday in Abuja at the Court of Appeal, which upheld his election as president.

The President in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Dr. Reuben Abati, described the judgment as a triumph for democracy and an affirmation of the sovereignty of the Nigerian people.

He praised the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and its Presidential Candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, for their respect for the rule of law and the Constitution, saying their recourse to judicial review of their grievances affirms their faith in the nation's judiciary.

Extending the hands of fellowship to the CPC and General Buhari, the President called on them to accept the decision of the tribunal, put the past behind them and support his administration's efforts to transform the nation.

Meanwhile, Senate President David Mark has congratulated President Jonathan even as he urged the CPC to accept the verdict in good faith.

The Senate President noted that the judgment represented 'the wishes of majority of Nigerians as expressed in the April Presidential election.' Senator Mark expressed optimism that 'this victory will further spur President Jonathan to consolidate on his transformational achievements.'

On his part, PDP governorship aspirant in Bayelsa State, Hon Henry Seriake Dickson, described the verdict as 'meticulous and brilliant.'

Dickson, who is chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Special Duties, also congratulated President Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo on their victory at the tribunal.

In a statement signed by Hon Fred Agbedi, Director General of the Restoration Agenda, the official campaign organ of the governorship aspirant, he said it was a comprehensive application of the rule of law in the dispensation of justice.

Dickson, who was at the Appeal Court alongside other members of the campaign organization, further said it is 'a sincere and historic judgment as the Judges were quite thorough and detailed in their submission.'

He urged the CPC and its candidates to accept the judgment in good faith and join hands with the President to move the nation forward.

Members of the team at the court included King Amalate Johnny Turner, Agbedi, Mrs Marie Ebikake,  Deputy Director-General of the campaign organisation, Chief Idaba Iboro, member of the presidential project assessment committee, and Surveyor Foruebi Akene, member of the NDDC monitoring committee.

Others were Chief Blessing Epigansi, Mackson  Fefegha, Dr Stella Dorgu, Mr Abrakasa Benjamin, Mr Amaduobogha Owei, Hon Dein Binadoumene, Hon P. Dudafa, Barr. George Turnah, who is Director of Youth Mobilisation, and the Coordinator of Wind of Hope Foundation, Mr Ono Akpe.

Daniel Alabrah
Deputy Editor, Sunday Sun