- Floors Sen Onoh, PDP in court
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State has dedicated Tuesday’s victory at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal (GEPT) to Cross Riverians with a passionate plea that all hands must be on deck to move the State forward.
Prince Otu, who also hailed the judiciary for affirming “the mandate Cross Riverians freely and overwhelmingly gave to us on March 18, 2023”, specifically urged the opposition to sheath their swords and come on board in the task of building a new Cross River state.
He was reacting to the Tribunal judgment on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Sen Sandy Onoh seeking to upturn his election as the duly elected governor of the State.
The Tribunal led by Justice Oken Inneh had dismissed all the reliefs sought by the petitioners in Suit No. EPT/CR/GOV02/2023 and affirmed the election of Sen Otu and his Deputy, Rt. Hon Peter Odey, on March 18, 2023.
In a unanimous decision, the three-member panel faulted the PDP’s decision to file the case while being conscious of the fact that the same case had already been determined at the High Court and the Appeal Court where their pleadings were rejected.
According to the Tribunal chairman, Justice Oken Inneh, the case lacked merit and amounted to an abuse of the Court process, adding that “it is a known fact in law that questioning Gov Otu’s certificate was purely a merry-go-round trip which lacked verifiable evidence to sustain the claimants’ request.”
On the allegation of dual citizenship against the Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Peter Odey, the Tribunal held that being a Nigerian by birth is a constitutional requirement which the PDP candidate could not prove beyond reasonable doubt as to how the respondent jettisoned his father’s land citizenship to become a foreign national.
In reacting to the Tribunal judgment, Governor Otu said; “It is with great delight and a high sense of responsibility that I welcome the judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal, which gave us our deserved victory and has affirmed the mandate Cross Riverians freely and overwhelmingly gave to us on March 18, 2023.
“Our confidence in the judiciary has never been in doubt. And it has been reinforced by today’s dispassionate ruling on the elections. | commend the Election Petition Tribunal for proving their mettle once again by upholding the virtues of justice, fair play, and responsibility.
“I call on all Cross Riverians to join hands with my administration as we continue to put in place the administrative framework needed to realize the noble objectives of our People’s First mandate. With this judgment, I call on members of the opposition, who are our brothers and sisters, to take the ruling in good faith, jettison any further appeals, and join hands with my administration to bring the much-needed dividends of democracy to our people.”
Governor Otu further said; “It is expedient for me to stress that if our dear state, Cross River, must be counted amongst the Comity of States with bright future and great economic potential and social security, then all hands must be on deck to make the lofty dream come true.
“Our well-thought-out People First Agenda remains sacrosanct in attaining its goals. What I urge of all citizens and those who have found here as home whether for business, investment, pleasure, or education, is to be patient and give us the needed support as we work to reposition the state for the better.”
While challenging Cross Riverians on the need to make sacrifices at the present time, Prince Otu said; “We must remain resolute and strive to play our various roles in the development of our beloved State”, adding; “As we take our destiny in our hands and resolve never to be left behind, may the Almighty God reward our efforts and remain our crowning glory.”
The Governor appreciated the executive and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as all Cross Riverians for “their support, loyalty and unflinching solidarity before, during and after the elections.”
Meanwhile, Chief Mike Ozekohme (SAN), the lead counsel to Governor Otu, has applauded the Tribunal for delivering a sound judgment, pointing out that the PDP candidate was merely on an ego trip as it was very glaring that their claims lacked merit.
Speaking to newsmen after the Tribunal judgment, the Senior Lawyer commended the judges for seeing through the dubious approach of the claimants and standing firmly on the path of truth.
