The embattled Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker representing Rivers East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator George Sekibo, has indicated his readiness to appeal against the judgment of the Rivers State National /State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja which, on Wednesday, upturned his victory at the December 10 , 2016 , election rerun .
The tribunal had also declared Andrew Uchendu winner of the senatorial election.
It also directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Sekibo, while it should also issue a fresh certificate of return to Uchendu .
The tribunal ’s decision was hinged on the fact that Uchendu won the lawful majority votes cast during the Rivers -East legislative election.
But Sekibo, in a statement by his Senior Legislative Aide, Mr . David Okoroafor , on Thursday said his appeal would justify his victory and restore the hope of his constituency in democratic values .
The lawmaker urged his supporters to remain calm and courageous, as he expects the appellate court to appraise the facts of the matter and give the true judgement .
He stated that the wishes of the people of Rivers- East “who came out and voted overwhelmingly for the PDP ” would never be subverted, as “the truth cannot be defeated by shades of darkness .”
The senator also expressed his confidence in the judiciary to dispense justice, while urging the electorate to remain steadfast in their support for him and the PDP .
Sekibo also said he was aware that many people were not happy with the judgment,which he described as the “ prize a commander pays for leading a battle . ”
SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PROF. YEMI OSINBAJO, SAN, GCON, THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT OPENING OF THE VOLUNTARY ASSETS AND INCOME DECLARATION SCHEME AT THE BANQUET HALL, STATE HOUSE ON THURSDAY JUNE 29, 2017 “When people pay taxes, they pay attention to what government is doing. There’s a level of social and political consciousness which people have when they pay taxes. So when people say that this is tax payers’ money that you are spending in that way, it is evident that it’s because this money is coming from their pockets that they are able to question political authority, question people who say there’re representing them and question government programmes as well”. “According to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the total number of tax payers in Nigeria is just 14 million. Of this number, 96% have their taxes deducted at source from their salaries under the P.A.Y.E system while just 4% comply under...
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