Former President Goodluck Jonathan has described Wednesday’s Supreme Court’s verdict on the leadership tussle in the Peoples Democratic Party as one that would bring the PDP together.
The former president made this statement on Twitter, while also calling for unity and collaboration within the party.
Today's verdict is a judgment where there are no winners or losers. It is a verdict that will bring our party together.
— Goodluck E. Jonathan (@GEJonathan) July 12, 2017
Also reacting to the verdict, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the immediate past governor of Ondo State congratulated leaders and members of the People’s Democratic Party across the country.
“The judiciary must be commended for this judgement which is a victory for justice, rule of law and democracy,” Dr. Mimiko said in an e-mailed statement to The Trent on Wednesday.
“The judgement, to my mind, will strengthen our democracy and discourage political and judicial rascality of any sort as we move ahead as a nation.”
On Wednesday, July 12, 2017, the Nigerian Supreme Court declared Ahmed Makarfi’s caretaker committee as the authentic national leadership body of the main opposition party in the country.
The Supreme Court in Abuja set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt that affirmed Ali Modu Sheriff as the PDP national chairman.
Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, who read the judgment of the five-man panel, declared the Makarfi-led caretaker committee as the authentic leadership organ of the party.
Jonathan, who commended the Supreme Court judgment, said “I thank God for this day of justice and may God bless Nigeria.
“I believe in our jurists. We may have issues with some individuals but the Nigerian judiciary deserves respect and commendation.
“Today’s verdict is a judgment where there are no winners or losers. It is a verdict that will bring our party together.’’
It is victory for Nigerians, Democracy – Fayose
Ayodele Fayose, the governor of Ekiti State and chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors Forum, described the Supreme Court judgment as a “victory for democracy and the entire people of Nigeria who are suffering from the All Progressives Congress, APC, misrule”.
The governor, who reacted to the judgment in Abuja said, “With today’s judgment, PDP can now play its role as opposition party and prepare to take over power in 2019.”
According to an e-mailed statement signed by Lere Olayinka, a spokesperson to the Ekiti Governor, Fayose called on genuine members of the party to come together for its repositioning, repackaging and strengthening.
Governor Fayose, who maintained there will be no victor and no vanquished, said; “The ultimate winner is democracy which cannot survive without a virile opposition and the entire people of Nigeria who are already yearning for a return of the PDP, having been short-changed by the APC.”
He hailed the judiciary “for rising to the occasion at a time the ruling APC was almost succeeding in its plot to turn Nigeria to a one party state.”
While congratulating all members and supporters of the PDP for standing firm with the party, Governor Fayose promised that all leaders of the party will join hands to channel of new and enduring course for the party and prepare it for the eventual take-over of power in 2019.
