12 July 2008
Jubilations followed the victory of Governor Sullivan Chime after the Court of Court, Enugu, yesterday declared him the substantive governor of Enugu State.
Chime was returned as duly elected by INEC after the April 14, 2007 governorship polls in Enugu State.
Apparently dissatisfied at his return, three of the opposition candidates headed to the tribunal, which upturned the verdict.
In reaction after the Appeal Court revalidation of Chime's election yesterday in Enugu, one time Governor of old Anambra State, Chief C. C. Onoh, who was at the court described the judgment as a "victory for democracy".
"The voice and mind of the people has been fulfilled," he added.
The lead counsel for Chime, Mrs Justina Offiah (SAN), described that the judgment as a landmark one for democracy.
Mr Anali Chude, lead counsel to INEC said the judgment was a "superb display of industry and hard work".
"It is unimpeachable and represents the situation on ground in Enugu as the judgment tore apart the lower court's earlier judgment," Chude added.
The Chairman of ALGON, Mr Julius Ogbuke, urged the opposition to join forces with Chime in moving the state forward.
"Justice has been done," said Mr Vita Abba, the Chairman of Enugu State PDP.
Mr Alex Iziyon (SAN) and counsel to the parties who lost out, claimed while reacting to the judgment that they were warned not to speak to the media for fear of being misquoted.
"The judge directed us not to talk to the press for fear of being misquoted" Iziyon re-stated.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other counsels in the matter left the court as their cases were struck out one after another.
Meanwhile, it was jubilation galore in major streets of Enugu as many Sullivan supporters, among them traders, workers and school children trooped out in praise of the governor.
For a while, traffic was at a standstill in many parts of Enugu metropolis.
It took a combined team of the policemen, members of civil defence corps and other security agents to control human and vehicular traffic.
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