The Delta State Government has lauded the ruling of the Appeal Court which referred the appeal filed by Action Congress gubernatorial candidate in the 2007 election, Mr. Peter Okocha, against the election of Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan of Delta State.

A statement by the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Oma Djebah, said the ruling vindicates the position of the state government and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that Governor Uduaghan was validly elected by the overwhelming majority of registered eligible voters in the state.

The statement lauded the honourable justices of the Appeal panel for resisting the attempt by opposition parties to "smuggle extraneous pleas that were not hitherto prayed at the election petition tribunal into the appeal" saying the judiciary has once again confirmed its position as the bulwark of the nation's democracy.

According to the statement, the ruling has affirmed the undisputed fact that "the administration of His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has set new standards of performance as far as governance and democracy dividends is concerned."

"As has been applauded by many within and outside Delta State and indeed acknowledged through a chain of high-calibre awards and recognitions across board, the high-performing administration of Governor Uduaghan has proven to Deltans and the world at large that the benefits of democracy must be manifested in the lives of the people which overwhelmingly elected the Governor on May 29, 2007," the statement said.

While calling on all Deltans to continue to support and contribute constructively to the success story of the Uduaghan administration and his determination to take Delta State to the promised land.