Bar Emmanuel Jime
By Bridget Paul
January 22, 2020
Supreme Court: We accept the verdict in good faith-Jime
The APC governorship candidate at the 2019 March elections,Barr Emmanuel Jime has said he accepts verdicts in good faith and takes it implication in stride.
He was reacting to the January 21 Supreme Court judgement that validated Governor Ortom’s election.
He said the Supreme Court ruled on a petition we brought before it challenging the earlier rulings on the outcome of the 2019 governorship elections in Benue State.
The court’s decision unfortunately did not go in our favour, bringing to a close our legal quest on the matter.
Jime said Sad as the Supreme Court judgment is to him, our party, and teeming supporters, we accept the verdict in good faith, and take its implications in our stride.
“When we decided to file a petition at the elections petition tribunal last year, it was not out of a need to pursue power or take advantage of the judicial process for the sake of it.
“We took this route all the way to the Supreme Court as part of our commitment towards strenthening the integrity of our electoral process.
” It was and remains our firm belief that unless the sanctity of the ballot is guaranteed, self serving politicians will continue to game the system to retain their clutch on power”,he said
He used the opportunity to thank the legal team,describing them as putting up a dogged fight and presented a good case with solid evidence.
Jime also said the outcome might not have gone the party’s way but it shows we will never look the other way where we see cases of electoral malpractice.
” I remain eternally grateful for the efforts of our lawyers and witnesses.
“I also extend my appreciation to the Justices of the Supreme Court, who inspite of a back-breaking workload, gave our petition the thorough attention it deserved.
The outcome notwithstanding, we remain highly respectful of their verdict,he was quoted.
He thanked all party faithful and supporters And the leader of the APC in Benue, Distinguished Senator George Akume – Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs.
He also appreciated the Benue State APC exco, party leaders, members of the Jime/Ode Campaign Organisation and indeed everyone who supported us, I say a big thank you.
He advised the APC not despair over news of today’s verdict, saying “Taunts, jeers and intimidation will come, but lets not buckle under them and see those as part of the sacrifice we need to make for a better tomorrow.
Jime further said that the verdict announced by the Supreme Court today signals an end to our inquest on the 2019 governorship elections in Benue.
But he noted that that does not mean we will take our eyes off governance issues as they affect people of Benue.
He advised that this should serve as a notice that whenever we notice our people are being shortchanged by those who hold the reins of power, we will speak up in defence of their rights and wellbeing.
Jime assured that, “we will not turn our backs on you”.