The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri this afternoon upheld the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal that affirmed the victory of Owelle Rochas Okorocha during the April 11, 2015 governorship election in Imo State but his main rival, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, immediately directed his counsel to approach the Supreme Court and seek redress against the ruling.

In a statement by his Media Aide, Chibuike Onyeuwku, the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives called on PDP members and all Imo indigenes to remain resolute ‘and continue in their prayers as the Okorocha-led administration in the state will very soon, give way for a PDP-led God fearing, purposeful, transparent and qualitative administration’.

On his part, Okorocha commended the appeal court verdict, saying that it justifies the people’s confidence in the ability of the judiciary to uphold justice and respect lawful actions of the people over who would govern them at any given time.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemoudo, Owelle Okorocha commended the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ihedioha and his legal team for exercising their constitutional rights, saying that “it will help strengthen the nation’s democracy.”

The Imo Governor called on PDP, Ihedioha and other Imo indigenes, irrespective of party affiliations, to support his government to further sustainable growth and development and build the state of their collective dreams and aspirations.

•Photo shows Governor Okorocha.