The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Thursday, hailed the decision of Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal over the declaration of Udom Emmanuel as the constitutionally elected governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Addressing a press conference, Obong Paul Ekpo, the state party’s Chairman declared “Today, the tribunal of men properly constituted by the laws of our land has confirmed the divinely orchestrated, politically engineered and electorally delivered mandate of Deacon Udom Emmanuel as the Governor of Akwa Ibom state. This judgment is in total agreement with the contemporary political reality existent in our state.’’
Ekpo quoted Daniel 4: 17 which states, “The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.”
According to him, “It is not a judgment that is postulating on what ought to be, but a clear admission of what was and what is. Today, with the Tribunal becoming functus Officio by the delivery of their judgment, we can safely thank God for numerous victories.
“We were told that we could not and will not win the elections, but because no man can conclude a matter that God has not concluded, the elections went our way; they said that they will upturn our victory at the tribunal and we questioned who is he that says a thing and it comes to pass when the Lord has not commanded?
“Our disposition was to approach the being who is at the center of creation- our creator himself and the tribunal has not only given judgment in our favour, but the chairman and members of the panel have said severally in open court, that our state is very peaceful and our people very accommodating- this is in contradistinction with the picture painted by the main opposition party in the state.”
He thanked God for the victory, saying “While our ceaseless thanks go to God Almighty the omnipotent and omniscient, for HIS favour, grace, guidance and protection throughout the electioneering, we must thank the people whom God used as vessels of honour to manifest HIS will in our state.
“First our party faithful and the Divine Mandate Organization who stood by us through the thick and thin, those who withstood the threats of war and violence, those who with us, went on vigorous campaigns throughout the length and breadth of the state- we thank you.”
He thanked Akwa Ibom people, “who went out in their number to vote our candidates into different offices, we owe you boundless gratitude for your resilience. You were not afraid of the promise of Warsaw, neither were you intimidated by the planned importation of walking sticks and lethal weapons. You saw the election as an opportunity to make a statement about our belief in the supremacy of God and his overriding power over the affairs of men; we loudly rejected the attempt at deification of man and ‘manification’ of God.
“We thank the very capable legal teams led by Dr Onyinyechi Ikpeazu SAN, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN and the Legal department of the Party, led by Goddy Umoh Esq, for the display of legal mastery which trounced and completely deconstructed the transparent sophistry adopted by the petitioners all through the case. The tribunal herself deserves commendation for delivering justice according to law.
“Let me reiterate as I have done at several quarters and times, that the God who has brought us this far, is capable and will certainly take us to our expected end and when we have arrived there, we can joyfully sing YAHWEH, your name is YAHWEH, you are the miracle working God, your name is YAHWEH. ”
