Magnus Ngei Abe, Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, has expressed joy on the outcome of the Court of Appeal judgment on the December 10, 2016, Senatorial re-run election, describing it as the most contentious election in the history of elections in Nigeria.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the Appeal Court confirmed him as the winner of the election, Abe said although Hon. Olaka Nwogu challenged his victory, he deserves commendation for exhausting his constitutional rights up to the level of the Court of Appeal and hoped that the decision of the Court would put to rest his contention after almost two years of electoral battle.
Senator Abe enjoined Nwogu to give him the necessary support in the interest of the people of the district, adding that he needs every support and not distraction to deliver on his campaign promises.
He, moreover, commended the judiciary for its forthrightness in resolving electoral disputes, pointing out that the judiciary has remained an indefatigable pillar of Nigeria’s democracy by its peaceful and constitutional means of bringing to conclusion electoral disagreements among disputants.
Senator Abe who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), thanked God, the good people of Rivers South East, President Mohammad Buhari, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) at all levels, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agents for their role in concluding the election.
The three (3) man panel of Judges of the Appeal Court sitting in Abuja, led by Justice Adamu Jauro, dismissed the appeal filed by Hon. Olaka Nwogu against the verdict of the Election Petition Tribunal, which validated the victory of Senator Magnus Abe.
The Appeal Court ruled that the appellant failed to show evidence that the election of December 10, 2016 in Rivers South East Senatorial District was not conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act.
