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Reactions Trail Court Verdict Declaring Ngilari As Governor

Reactions have continued trailing the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, installing to former deputy governor of Adamawa State, Bala Ngilari, as the substantive governor of the state.

Speaking on the verdict, Nigeria’s former vice president and presidential aspirant of All Progressives Congress, APC, Atiku Abubakar, said the court judgment on the Adamawa governorship battle only delayed the desire of the people for new hands in government.

In a statement issued by his media office in Abuja on Wednesday, Abubakar, an indigent of Adamawa State, said although he is bound to respect the decision of the court declaring Ngilari as the substantive governor of he state, he observed that what the people want is change which can only come through an election.

“The judicial verdict that may have tacitly cancelled the governorship by-election in Adamawa state for now was a painful development for the membership of the APC in Adamawa State”, he said.

“As leaders of the party, we shall respect the verdict of the court, but we must be quick to say that the verdict has merely delayed the overwhelming desire of the people of Adamawa State to vote for change”, Abubakar further said.

In the same vein, the Adamawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said it would not appeal the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court.

The national publicity secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, also said the party has looked at the verdict on Adamawa and they have urged members of the party to obey the decision of the court.

He urged the newly sworn-in governor to pursue peace and progress of the state, adding that peace is what is important.

“The state has had its own fair share of political turmoil; the state has had its own fair share of challenges. We believe that the citizens of the state deserve peace and unity”, he said.

Similarly, the state chapter of the All Progressive Congress on Wednesday said the court ruling sacking acting governor Umar Fintiri from office is a welcome development for the state.

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The state chairman of APC, Binta Garba, who spoke to newsmen said that with the outcome of Ngilari’s case, the party was hopeful that Murtala Nyako who is also challenging his removal as governor would return.

She however said that the verdict had affected the party’s rally scheduled for Thursday in Yola, the state capital.

“We will ask dignitaries yet to arrive to stop coming, but our flag bearer will go to the venue now to show appreciation to party faithful that turned up for the rally.” she said.

Also reacting to the development, Nyako, in a statement through his director of press and publicity, Ahmad Sajoh, said his hope in the court to reclaim his mandate is still very much alive.

Nyako however expressed contentment with the verdict of the court, saying that Ngilari did not resign as d deputy governor.

He noted that members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly were used to perpetrating impunity but expressed happiness that the judiciary had ensured that justice prevailed.




     

     

    “Buoyed by a system that promotes impunity and abuse of all legal and constitutional procedures, the law makers in Adamawa State took it upon themselves to abuse all known legal norms to enthrone a regime anchored on illegalities”, Nyako said.

    He said that the judiciary has made giant step in correcting the wrongs of the Adamawa State House of Assembly.

    Nyako congratulated the new governor on his success at the court, as he also urged him to take up the responsibilities of his new office with his famed patience and humility.

    Fintiri was ejected by a Federal High Court in Abuja which held that the acting governor was occupying the office illegally and that Bala Ngilari, did not resign from office as specified in the constitution and should be sworn in immediately as substantive governor following Nyako’s impeachment.

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