I remain the ‘duly elected governor’, says Wike

Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, has opposed the ruling of the appeal court which ordered his removal from office, insisting that he was duly elected.

Wike called on his supporters to remain calm, disclosing that he has instructed his lawyers to appeal the judgment at supreme court.

The appellate court had upheld the verdict of the tribunal, which nullified his victory and ordered fresh election within 90 days.

But in a statement issued on his behalf by Simeon Nwakaudu, his special assistant on electronic media, Wike said he will “use all constitutional processes to protect the mandate the people freely bestowed on him”.

“The Rivers state governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has instructed his lawyers to appeal today’s  judgment of the court of appeal which ordered fresh governorship  election  in  the state,” the statement  read.

“Wike stated that  he disagrees with the judgment, hence his decision  to  exhaust  his constitutional right by challenging  the appeal court  judgment  at the supreme court.

“Governor Wike has called on all his supporters and the people of Rivers state  to remain calm as Justice  will be done at the end of day.

“He assured  the  people  of  the  state  that he will use all constitutional processes to protect the  mandate they freely bestowed on him, hence his decision  to  approach the  Supreme Court for further adjudication.

“The governor  said  that he still remains  the  duly elected governor  of  Rivers state  pending the  determination  of  his appeal  by the supreme court.

“Governor Wike assured the people of Rivers state that all ongoing development  projects will continue  while his administration  will  continue  to  promote  the  security of lives and property  across  the  state.”