Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has hailed the validation of the election of Engr. David Umahi and Chief Nyesom Wike as the governors of Ebonyi and Rivers states respectively, by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court had given the final victory to the two governors yesterday, thereby sealing the hopes of Edward Nkwegu of the Labour Party in Ebonyi State and Dakuku Peterside of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State to become governors.

The PDP governors said after their caucus meeting last night in Abuja said that that the two judgements by the apex court amounted to victory for democracy. They therefore commended Umahi and Wike, saying that with their legal battles over, they would be better positioned to deliver democracy dividends to their people.

Ondo State Governor and Chairman of the Forum, Olusegun Mimiko read a communiqué issued after the meeting.

A statement by Umahi’s Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, issued today in Abakaliki said his principal also welcomed the apex court’s judgement as the handiwork of God.

He said: “It is God that is at work. God gave us a divine mandate and He has through the Supreme Court made the path smooth for us to actualise the mandate; the mandate of providing the dividends of democracy to our people and making our dear state one of the best in this country.”

•Photo shows PDP Governors Forum Chairman, Olusegun Mimiko.