The Deputy Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State and immediate past Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside has hailed the Supreme Court rulings in the matters of the APC, Rivers State and described it as a “victory for democracy and progressive governance.”The Supreme Court threw out a cross-appeal by Igo Aguma challenging the rights of the APC to set up a Caretaker Committee in Rivers State, just as the Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt granted a stay of execution on an earlier judgment by a Rivers State High Court stopping the party from going ahead with its membership revalidation/registration exercise.
According to Peterside, “While I am yet to get the full details of the judgments, my initial reaction is to say that the courts have once again risen to the occasion and deepened democracy and democratic tenets. This is a victory for all Rivers people, especially APC members and it is a sign of greater things to come. “Now the Rivers State chapter of the APC can strengthen its gains even further as we unite to provide Rivers people with authentic, strong, and focused leadership. We are deeply grateful to God Almighty and congratulate our leader, the Hon Minister for Transportation, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for this hard won victory.” Peterside called on members of the APC in Rivers State to celebrate the victories in the courts with measured gaits and humility, adding that the greater work now lies in uniting the party faithful and getting more people to join the party.
“I appeal to our members to be magnanimous in this victory and know that greater works lie ahead. We must always remember our leader’s mantra, “Once has God spoken, but twice I have heard this; that power belongs to God.”
