I want to seize this opportunity to congratulate the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria in the 2007 gubernatorial elections in Ekiti State, Mr. Kayode Fayemi, who has been declared the rightful winner of the elections. The Federal Government which I head accepts the verdict of the Court of Appeal and has since put machinery in motion to give effect to the judgement in demonstration of our belief in the supremacy of the rule of law.
I commend Mr. Fayemi's patience and commitment to the cause of justice even though I regret that it took him so long to get it. The delay in reaching a final determination of this case once again exposes loop holes in our electoral laws which we have to plug. I am glad to note that these loopholes have caught the eyes of the Legislative arm of government which is working with other arms of government to amend current legislation to ensure a resolution of these issues.
Finally, the Federal Government notes the pronouncement of the Court of Appeal on the shortcomings in the conduct of the elections and will take corrective measures to address the shortcomings of those individuals and institutions under the control of the Federal Government and we will urge the INEC to take corrective measures to address those concerns which relate to them since the government is in no position to interfere with an independent body.
Finally I call on both parties to the dispute to accept the verdict of the court and work together on the basis of no victor no vanquished so that the people of Ekiti State can continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy as they did under the previous administration of former governor Segun Oni without rancour and bitterness.
- GEJ
Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday, 16 October 2010 at 21:51
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