Recent verdicts by the judiciary have been against Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike but his confidence remains unshaken in the institution to do justice in the state governorship legal tussle.
He pointed out that based on the April 11 election, his mandate would be upheld in the course of the Appeal process.
Speaking at the meeting of stakeholders, which included elected senators, House of Representatives members, traditional rulers, Elder statesmen and state legislators, Wike advised the people of the state never to criticize judges despite the judicial setback, pointing out that the appeal process will correct the judicial opinion of the state tribunal.
He dissociated himself from a statement from one of his aides describing the tribunal judgment as judicial terrorism and gang-up. He said the aide had no mandate to issue such a statement, noting that as a lawyer he respects the judiciary and knows the appellate process to seek redress.
“Be assured by the Grace of God our lawyers are working hard to file the appeal within stipulated time. I have told people that it is not in our character to cast aspersions on judges. I have also told people not to speak on my behalf to castigate judges. The tribunal is not the final appellate court on this matter. There is no need of castigating the judiciary.
“We are not one of those when judgment favours you, you says you have confidence in the judiciary. When it does not favour you, you lose confidence in the judiciary.
“I want to say in the past two days, you must have read where they quoted me as saying judicial terrorism or judicial gang-up, I never said so. And I never authorised anybody to say so on this matter,” Wike said.
The governor noted that his team of lawyers are working round the clock to complete the process of filing an appeal against the judgment.
