…Disowns Press Statement by Austin Nweze-Ituma, former SDP Chairman in Ebonyi State.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) the reaction of Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State against the judicial pronouncement of a judge of the Federal High Court which sacked him and his deputy from office.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Amb. Rufus Aiyenigba in Abuja on Thursday, the SDP condemned “the unwarranted and reckless reactive and vituperative outburst, and the resorting to undignifying name-calling in the reaction of the governor to the judgement.”
The SDP stated that the right and honourable action that was expected of the Governor, considering his eminent standing in the public and status as a member of the ruling party, was to maintain calmness and to call on his lawyers to study the judgement and advice him.
“Considering the potential damage of the action of the governor to the psyche of our Judges and the image of the country, the SDP hereby express solidarity with the Nigerian judiciary as being a pivotal arm of government, and as an institution that is of utmost strategic importance to the protection of the common good, and for democratic consolidation.
“The party rises in defence of Nigerian Judges as Priests in the Temple of Justice, and call on all Nigerians, particularly the political elites to rise in unison and strongly in defence of our judiciary, and to accord our Judges their deserved respect and honour.
“As stakeholders in the Nigeria Project, we should not allow for actions that could bring down the judiciary as an institution in furtherance of the personal interests of a few.
“We call on President Buhari to as a matter of necessity and for him to consider as a worthy legacy he would bequeath, in putting right and appropriate machinery in place to create the essential buffers for our Judges across the board, and to ensure the cessation of all ignoble acts and forms of intimidation and harassment of the Nigerian Justices on flimsy excuses,” Aiyenigba said..
SDP saluted the courage of the High Court Judge for following and staying through to his conviction on what he considered as right in law in the matter.
The party encouraged all Nigerian Judges to remain strong and courageous, and to continue to perform their duties without fear or favour, and with courage of conviction.
“As Nigerian patriots, they should not in any way, succumb to any form of intimidation. We call on the people concerned and all public commentators to refrain from further making damaging comments on the matter, particularly considering that an appeal has been filed by the governor against the ruling. There is hope in the horizon that Nigeria our dear country, will be great again, deo volente.”
In a related development, the party disowned the press statement issued by Austin Nweze-Ituma, former SDP Chairman in Ebonyi State.
The party spokesman said aside being unauthorized, the positions canvassed by Nweze-Ituma are not the position of SDP.
“Mr Austin Nweze-Ituma is not in a position to speak on behalf of the Ebonyi SDP, because he has long ceased to be the Chairman of the party in the State.”
He urged the public to disregard Nweze-Ituma’s statement.
