Shettima Hails Fayemi over Supreme Court Victory

Governor Kayode Fayemi

by: Michael Olugbode

Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, has congratulated his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr Kayode Fayemi for his victory at the Supreme Court.

Shettima who stated this yesterday in a signed statement by his Special Adviser on Communications, Isa Gusau, said the good people of Ekiti deserve an intelligent man like Fayemi as their governor.

Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court on Friday had held that the apex court lacked the jurisdiction to hear Oni’s appeal, since the appeal emanated from the decision of the Court of Appeal, in the 2007 governorship election dispute whereas the Appeal Court has the final say over election cases as provided by Section 246(3) of the Constitution.

Shettima said: “I heartily congratulate my friend, brother and fellow Progressive, Governor Kayode Fayemi. He is one of the most intelligent and eloquent leaders in Nigeria today; he is a technocrat that is humble, large hearted, friendly, gentle, patriotic, dogged and distinguished, the people of Ekiti State surely deserve a highly competent man like him as their governor especially with their very apt slogan as ‘the fountain of knowledge’ in Nigeria.

“Ekiti people do not deserve anything less. I urge the people to support the good man God has bestowed on them as a leader that is very determined to selflessly transform Ekiti State for the benefit of its citizens. I also congratulate fellow governors, stakeholders and other supporters in the APC family and indeed all democrats in Nigeria for this victory that toughens our abiding commitment to the recovery and progress of Nigeria for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

Shettima hailed the Supreme Court for “once again, displaying patriotism, professionalism, reverence for the primacy of the constitution in the discharge of their critical duties while at the same time growing the confidence Nigerians have since reposed in highly respected judiciary.” Oni had appealed against the decision of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin, which nullified his 2007 election, leading to his replacement by Fayemi in 2010.

He had, among others, demanded an order of the Supreme Court to aside the 2010 judgment; an order directing a fresh panel of the Court of Appeal to hear the appeal against the result of the 2007 election, held in Ekiti.