September 26, (THEWILL) – The Cross River State governorship elections petition tribunal has upheld the election of the Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu.
The Tribunal, headed by Justice Oken Inneh, said the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed.
The judge said the petitioners failed to prove that the second and third respondents (Bassey Otu and Peter Odey), are not qualified to contest for the position of governor and deputy Governor.
Justice Inneh further held that the issue of qualification is 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.
On membership of the PDP by the third respondent, the judge held that the issue of nomination and membership of a party is a domestic affair of a party and is not justicable.
Reacting to the judgement, counsel to the petitioner, Dr Jonah Musa SAN, commended the tribunal for the industry put into the case irrespective of whether they won or lost.
He added that if he is dissatisfied with the judgement, he knows where to go.
On his part, counsel to the second and third respondent, Professor Mike Ozekhome SAN, thanked the tribunal for the judgement.
He said the case was as dead as dodo from the outset and that going further to appeal is like flogging a dead horse.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
