Benue APC Guber ticket: Shija accepts Supreme Court verdict

PRESS STATEMENT

“We received with equanimity and fulfilment the Supreme Court decision yesterday dismissing the case of our principal, Professor Terhemba Shija, that challenged our party, the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) failure to conduct a valid primaries for the emergence of a Benue State Governorship candidate for the party.

By the pronouncement of the Apex Court we have come to the end of the road as far as this matter is concerned.

The Supreme Court is indeed supreme as far as litigation in Nigeria is concerned and there is nothing anybody can do about it.

We must respect the court’s verdict, no matter our reservations. We are also bound to obey its decision, even if we disagree with it.

Yet the struggle to rescue Benue State is still raging and men and women of good conscience must sustain it.

As a politician who is committed to making a positive difference, Professor Shija appreciates the support, courage and capacity which God gave him to challenge a system imbued with chicanery and disdain for due process.

His decision and those of his supporters to vent their grievances in the courts of law is the most civilized way of settling disputes in a democratic society. The outcome is obviously beyond our control.

For instance, we cannot challenge the wisdom of the Apex Court which, in the instance of our appeal before it, did not even allow our counsel his Constitutional right to adopt his brief, argue, or respond to preliminary objections raised on the basis of technicalities.

The judgement has no doubt elicited mixed feelings among Professor Shija’s friends, well wishers, supporters, and public spirited individuals, most of who have inundated him with messages of goodwill and solidarity.

He thanks them all for this unique demonstration of love and understanding. There are equally some people who have openly and hysterically displayed hostility and vitriolic attacks on him for pursuing civilized options availed to him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Professor Shija understands and acknowledges all these as inevitable manifestations or reactions to an effective statement which his action
has made that strikes a raw nerve.

Surely one cannot change a long established tradition without such reactions from those it has long held in bondage.

However, it should also be noted that these are clear signs that the message and ideals of the Benue Rebuild Agenda initiated by Professor Shija are taking root in our polity.

The initiative and courage of successfully challenging the validity of a primary election up to the supreme Court has sent an eloquent and clear message to Benue politicians.

The psyche of our people is further reinforced to interrogate injustice in all ramifications wherever it manifests.

We take this opportunity to congratulate our party, the All Progressives Congress APC for its victory at the Supreme Court. We urge all our supporters to remain calm, law-abiding and work for a greater Benue State.

We also appreciate all the support we have received from members of our party and all those committed to the entrenchment of democracy in our land.

Dr James Mbachiantim.
Director General.
Professor Terhemba Shija Campaign Organization.
Benue State.
February 17, 2023