Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyi Odii, has praised the Supreme Court for reaffirming him as candidate of the party for next year’s election.
The apex court had on Friday in Abuja struck out a request by a factional governorship aspirant in Ebonyi, Senator Joseph Obinna Ogba, for a review of its final judgment of September 14, 2022, which upheld Mr Odii as the governorship candidate of the party.
Mr Odii in a statement by his Media Aide, Abịa Onyike, called on party members to unite and put the state back on the path of unity, progress and prosperity.
Onyike, Director of Media and Publicity of Odii’s AnyiChuks Grassroots Support Organisation expressed happiness that the court dismissed all pending appeal cases on the PDP Governorship Primaries in the state.
According to Onyike, all the litigations and disputations have been put to rest within the ranks of the party.
He, however, urged all their party members to come together for the sake of the state’s progress and posterity.
He said: “With the ruling of the Supreme Court today, 21st October, 2022, dismissing all pending appeal cases on the PDP Governorship Primaries in Ebonyi State, all the litigations and disputations have been put to rest within the ranks of our great party.
“It is now obvious that we have to unite and fight for our common aspiration which is the take over and rescue of our dear state from anti-democratic forces and to put Ebonyi State back on the path of unity, progress and prosperity.
“It should be noted that the essence of the litigations was not necessarily power play, but the quest to engender internal democratic values in our great party, the PDP, particularly in Ebonyi State.
Consequently, our dear leaders, stakeholders, teeming members, and supporters should note that this victory is for all of us.
“And this is the time to unite and fight our common foes and rejig our patriotic efforts to reverse the slide of our dear state into unnecessary rancour, acrimonies and retrogression.
“Let us unite for the sake of the progress of Ebonyi State and posterity.
The PDP remains the major political party with a household name in Ebonyi State. We must, therefore, display our ever burning sense of patriotism, selflessness and pursuit of the common good,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Ogba has debunked reports claiming he has dumped the PDP after losing out at the supreme court.
Ọgba who represents Ebonyi Central in the Senate said as a strong member of the party, he can’t dump the party.
A statement by his Media Aide, Godfrey Chikwere, said Mr Ogba will communicate the next line of action to the people soon.
He said this will come after a series of meetings and consultation with family, especially supporters, leaders and organised bodies that he consulted at the embryo stage of his recent political campaign.
“Distinguished Sen. Obinna Ogba will speak to Ebonyians, his teaming supporters and even those that differ with him from within and across political party membership and belief.
“We just contested an election and not life. Ours is thanksgiving to the Almighty God for this rare privilege of a contest without losing a soul.
“We won’t take your patience, prayers, good intentions and best wishes for granted in our decisions and further political interactions,” he said.
