It’s a victory for democracy
Abia PDP chieftain; Obiogbolu
Chidoka welcomes judgment

By Emmanuel Aziken,  Ugochukwu Alaribe & Chinedu Adonu

ENUGU—More reactions have continued to trail the Supreme Court judgment on the leadership crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Member  representing Nkanu East State Constituency at the Enugu State House of Assembly, Paul Osondu Nnajiofor, in his reaction expressed optimism that with the  leadership crisis now over, and Makarfi being recognised as the only  and authentic national chairman of the party, all PDP decampees might soon return.

Nnajiofor, who is also the House Committee chairman on Information said  that the crisis has been put behind and party members who defected to the opposition parties as a result of the leadership tussle may now reconsider.

The lawmaker also opined that  not only would old ones come back but  even new members would be attracted to join the party for expected victory in future elections.

“Our chances for victory in future elections will not be affected by those that left the party. Now that the crisis is over, I believe many of those that left will soon come back and new ones will come in.”

 A victory for democracy—Abia PDP chieftain

On his part, a chieftain of the PDP in Abia State, St. Moses Ogbonna, has described the judgment as a victory for democracy and rule of law.

Ogbonna, who is the Organizing Secretary of the party in Abia, added that with the decision, democracy in Nigeria has been given a great boost, stressing that the PDP has emerged from the crisis to provide a credible opposition and alternative to the masses.

Briefing newsmen in Aba, Ogbonna stated that Nigeria risked a one-party system if the Supreme Court had ruled otherwise, alleging that Ali Modu Sheriff was a mole who weakened the party and made it a laughing stock.

He said: “With the Supreme Court decision, the party has emerged from the crisis to provide credible opposition and alternative to Nigerians. It is a victory for democracy and rule of law. The era of impunity and imposition is over. “

He urged aggrieved members and those who have left the party to return and help rebuild it to save democracy in the country.

Chidoka  welcomes judgment

Also yesterday, the United Progressives Party, UPP, governorship aspirant in Anambra State, Chief Osita Chidoka  welcomed the Supreme Court judgment on  PDP but vowed to pursue his ambition on the platform of UPP.

Chidoka in a statement, urged those still in the PDP to ensure that they use the opportunity of the court decision to put forward their best face in the forthcoming election in the state.

He said: “We welcome Wednesday’s verdict of the Supreme Court, which we believe has ended the leadership tussle that confronted the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

“While we sincerely congratulate the PDP for this development, we do hope that this time around, they will leverage on the opportunity to present their best to face the people in the November 18, 2017 Anambra governorship election.

“We in the United Progressives Party, UPP, have already started our preparations and we are working hard to ensure that we present our best for the election because Ndi Anambra deserve only the best.

“Already, the UPP has proven to be one political platform that can deliver the wishes and aspirations of the Anambra people; a fact that informs its soaring grassroots popularity in all the electoral wards across Anambra State as the platform that genuinely offers them a voice and where their interests only, drive the policies and ideology of the party.”

It’s victory for rule of law, decency— Obiogbolu

In a similar vein, a PDP governorship aspirant in the November 18 polls, Dr Alex Obiogbolu, has saluted the Supreme Court verdict, describing the ruling as a welcome development.

The PDP governorship aspirant said the verdict would permanently take care of impunity and recklessness, the twin devils, which he noted, rubbished the fortune of the party.

Obiogbolu said the ruling was a victory for democracy, rule of law and decency.

The Anambra State guber hopeful, however, called on faithful party men and women, who left the party because of the crisis, to make a return, noting that the judgment would restore peace and stability to the PDP, which, according to him, was the biggest political party in Africa.