Founder of the Oodu'a People's Congress (OPC), Dr Frederick Faseun, yesterday in Lagos hailed the judiciary for returning Dr Olusegun Mimiko as Governor of Ondo State.

Faseun said the judiciary had demonstrated the will to further democratise the polity. "The judiciary has shown promise to democratise our polity and reinforce the hope and faith of the people in democracy," he said.

Describing Mimiko as a populist politician, Faseun expressed the hope that the new governor would not disappoint the people.

"I am sure he will be more cautious and focused," the OPC leader said.

A Labour Party chieftain, Dr Deji Ogunwale, said the latest judgment was capable of eradicating polls rigging and enthroning democracy in Nigeria.

"It is a landmark judgment, which will go a long way to re-kindle the faith of the people in democracy. We expect performance and God will guide him to deliver on his promises. We will rally round him to ensure a re-engineering of governance in Ondo State," he said.

Amb. Bayo Yusuf, who is also a chieftain of the party, described the judgment as fantastic and far-reaching. "We thank God that justice delayed is not justice denied. The expectations of the ordinary people are very high and I think the governor should draw a lesson from the event to do what is right," he said. (NAN)