The governorship election tribunal of the Cross River State, southern Nigeria, has upheld the election of the governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu.
The Tribunal headed by Justice Oken Inneh said the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate, Professor Sandy Onor, lacked merit and was dismissed.
While delivering the judgement, Justice Inneh said the petitioners failed to prove that the second and third respondents (Senator Bassey Otu and his deputy, Peter Odey) are not qualified to contest for the positions of governor and deputy governor.
Required by law
Justice Inneh held that the petitions challenging the qualifications of the governor was a post election matter and the complaint of false information ought to have been instituted at the Federal High Court within fourteen days as required by law.
In an interview the counsel to the second and third respondents, Professor Mike Ozekhome, (SAN) said, “the election of Governor Otu and his deputy were sustained. The courts agreed with us on all the grounds. The three – man tribunal dismissed the petitions, having struck out two petitions at the last sitting about two months ago.
“Indeed, five whole judgement had already held that these two people (Governor Otu and his deputy, Mr. Odey) were qualified. Two of those judgement were at the Federal High Court and Two at the Court of Appeal. So, presenting the same matter at the tribunal was viewed as an abuse of the court process,” he stressed.
On membership of the PDP by the third respondent, Ozekhome said, “the tribunal held that the issue of membership of a party is a domestic affair of that political party and in any event, they did not have the locus standing and the court does not have jurisdiction in such a matter.”
Also reacting to the judgement, the counsel to the petitioner, Dr. Jonah Musa (SAN) said they were returning to confer with their clients on the judgement of the tribunal.
Meanwhile, the streets of Calabar was agog with jubilation by supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC as the news of the judgement in favour of Governor Otu and his deputy Mr. Odey went viral.
Total defeat
Different APC support groups including traditional displays such as Ekombi dancers, Obon masquerades and the Idan Boys of Calabar South welding a mock coffin signifying the total defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governoship candidate, Professor Sandy Onor, took centre stage at the celebration.
Some residents expressed appreciation to God for what they described as a favourable outcome and a victory for the people of the southern senatorial district in Cross River State.
One Mr. Mesembe Bassey said, “we our happy that the judgement is in favour of Prince Bassey Otu, our Sweet Prince. It means we can forget about any other distraction and focus on governance.”
The generality of the people are hoping that with the tribunal judgement, the governor will extend a hand of fellowship to members of the opposition with a view to rebuilding the state to enviable heights.
Lateefah Ibrahim
