The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described Saturday’s court verdict that nullified the election of governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State as a deadly body blow to impunity and hooliganism.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the judgment was an indication that the era of impunity and hooliganism was over, and that the only way for elections to have legitimacy was for them to be free, fair and credible.

”What has come across from this judgement is that there is no shortcut to free, fair and credible elections. This is part of the wind of change that is blowing across the land and touching all arms of government under the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Elections are about the expression of the will of the people, and they must always be free to express themselves, irrespective of what some desperate politicians may feel,” it said.

APC said politicians, especially those seeking or occupying elective office, must realize that they can only derive their legitimacy from the people, and that unless they respect the wishes of the people, they will not go far.

The party further congratulated its candidate, Peterside Dakuku for not backing out of the fight.