Supreme Court Victory: Nwifuru tenders apologies to Ebonyi people on behalf of his challengers

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has urged people of the State to forgive Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii of the People’s Democratic Party and Bernard Odoh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance for challenging their mandate up to the Supreme Court.

 

Nwifuru said the challengers intended to bring disgrace and destruction to the State through their unreasonable litigations, adding that God did not allow their evil desires to come to fruition.

 

The Governor spoke in reaction to the recent Supreme Court judgement which upheld his election and finally brought to an end further litigations against his position.

 

He gave the reaction Sunday at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Abakaliki, during a brief reception in his honour.

 

The event was organized by members of the State Executive Council.

 

It also had in attendance the founding fathers of the State, Elders Council, various support groups of the Governor and his Party, the All Progressives Congress, as well as State and National Assembly members from the State.

 

Addressing the people, Governor Nwifuru stated that it was unreasonable for his challengers to drag him through the Tribunal to the supreme court over an election he won, free and fair.

 

He expressed gross disappointment, especially over the conduct and action of the PDP candidate, Odii, popularly known as AnyiChuks, whom he said served him a notice of suit from Supreme Court a day after their meeting in Lagos in which he promised to end further litigations.

 

Nwifuru said: “Sincerely, I am angry with all of them because they took the State to a very high level of destruction, and we cannot allow that to happen, and I think that is why God did not allow them come close to the door.

 

“So, sincerely, I tender apologies on their behalf, for us as a State to forgive them.

 

“We should forgive them for they knew not what they were doing, and I am sure we are going to forgive them in Jesus’ name.”

 

Governor Nwifuru, however, emphasized that he was not ready for now, to work with the PDP candidate and his supporters.

 

“And people say I should extend hands of fellowship, for what?

 

“They have gotten to supreme court, and the court has ruled against their wish.

 

“I read his statement, and he agreed because he has no other place again to go, and he wants his supporters to support me.

 

“They should not support me, I don’t need them.

 

“Let me serve those that worked for me first” he stressed.

 

Congratulating the Governor on his victory, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Ben Uruchi Odoh who spoke for the Executive Council members, described the victory as well deserved, adding that it has given credence to the will of the people.of the State.

 

Stating that the development has given guarantee to their jobs as Executive Council members, he strengthened the resolve of the members to stand with the Governor in fully actualizing his dreams for the State.

 

Others who delivered speeches, including former Governor, Martin Elechi who spoke for the founding fathers of the state; Engr. Ben Okah for the Elders Council; Comrade Felix Okemini for the youths; Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi for the National Assembly members and the Speaker, Moses Odunwa for State Assembly members, among others, also described Nwifuru’s victory as both well deserved and victory for democracy and uncommon development of the State.

 

Elechi summed: “Your Excellency, this is no time for long speeches.

 

“It is a time for merriment.

“We should all be dancing; no important speeches can be made now because we are full of Joy.

 

“Your Excellency, you have endured all the intrigues, all the provocations arising from the gubernatorial elections.

 

“But like a man who has the support of God, you have taken everything with humility and respect for all.people.

 

“We congratulate you, we thank you as you are poised to lead us to our promised land.

 

“You can always count on the support of Ebonyi people, especially the founding fathers.”

 

Earlier, the Governor was given a rousing reception by all the groups on arrival from Abuja, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.