Bigwigs of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) have taken to the streets of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to protest the apex court decision to annul the election of Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP, and declared Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the winner of the March 9 2019, Imo Gubernatorial election.
The protest, which was attended by the national chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, Peter obi, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Dino Melaye, and other chieftains of the opposition party, on Monday demanded that the Supreme Court reverse its judgement.
The party had outright rejected the verdict of the apex court saying it is a miscarriage of justice.
The demonstration, which took off from Legacy House, Maitama, was taken through the popular Ahmadu Bello Way to Eagle Square in the nation’s capital.
Security was beefed up in the city as the protest coincided with the Supreme Court’s scheduled delivery of verdicts in the cases Kano, Sokoto, Benue and Bauchi states.
Security forces, comprising personnel of the Police, Civil Defence, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Military were deployed early to man strategic locations in the city.
The entire Three Arm Zones, housing the Presidential Villa, the Supreme court, National Assembly Complex and the Federal Secretariat were completely locked down.
While many party members went on foot, others were conveyed in various vehicles, one of which tumbled and causing injuries to at least one person.
However, the exercise passed off peacefully.
Addressing party supporters at the Eagle Square, Secondus insisted that what the party wants is a review and reversal of the Supreme Court judgment on Imo.
He said: “We are at the Three Arms Zone – the Executive is hearing us, the judiciary is hearing and also the Parliament will hearing us from here, and also the entire world.
“Today, we are here, very peaceful, non-violent protest and demonstration to show that we are all Nigerians. PDP is the most peaceful party, and the largest party and well-organised party in Africa.
“I want to congratulate you all for coming from all the nooks and crannies of this country, peacefully to register our protest.
“We are here, under one God, under one nation, our nation is under the rule of law. We are a nation governed by law.
Therefore, all we are seeking today is for our very highly respected jurists at the highest court of the land to review and reverse the judgment.
“We’re not against you, we are against the error. And by the special grace of God, I know you will revisit the error. And all we are saying is that for you to review this error because the figures are not adding up.
“We, therefore, call on the leadership of the judiciary, to please, we are all human beings, God is the highest, We know that they worship God, all of us worship God, to revisit and reverse the Imo State judgement because we believe that the figures are not adding up. That’s why we are here so that the world will hear us.
“We are a democratic nation, and therefore, all democratic nations of the world are hearing us – United States, United Kingdom, even the United Nations, the African Union and ECOWAS. We believe that people at the highest court of the land will hear our cry today, and revisit review, and if possible, reverse the judgement.
“That is justice that will be done, not only to the people of Imo State but for Nigerians who are crying. This is time to show courage. The executive arm of government should stop interfering in the judiciary. Security agencies, stop interfering.”
