Military armored tanks were rolled on the streets of Port Harcourt and its environs on Thursday moments after the Supreme Court verdict nullified the election of Celestine Omehia as governor of Rivers State.
Armed soldiers were seen patrolling the streets apparently to forestall any possible violent reaction to the verdict which declared former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rotimi Amaechi, as governor instead of Omehia.
There were also loud celebrations in many corners of the state.
Residents of Port Harcourt Water Front areas were among those who were seen in joyful moods.
Those who spoke to Daily Independent said they were happy that the governor who threatened to pull down their houses “has been removed by God from Government House”.
According to a cross section of the residents of the water fronts, with Amaechi now in power, there was hope that they would be saved from the ghost of the proposed demolition programme of Omehia.
One of the residents who identified himself as Job Belema said “it is the God of the Port Harcourt residents that helped to give Amaechi victory at the Supreme Court”.
Daily Independent
also gathered that by the time the news of Amaechi�s victory spread round the state capital, the Government House had become virtually deserted.
Majority of Omehia�s supporters were moved to Abuja to have a first hand hearing of the Supreme Court�s judgment.
Nearly all the drinking spots in Port Harcourt were in high spirit as many of them were seen jam packed with merry makers rejoicing over the development.
Oct262008