Edith CHUKU
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, in the 2023 gubernatorial election in Cross River State, Senator Sandy Onor, is getting ready to approach the Supreme Court in a final move to challenge the election of Senator Bassey Otu as governor of Cross River State
This is as the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, on Wednesday, affirmed the decision of the Election Petition Tribunal of September 26 upholding the election of Governor Bassey Otu and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey as duly elected.
Dissatisfied by the court of appeal judgment, Onor support group known as Caterpillar Movement, in a statement dated November 22, 2023, told her supporters that they will seek further legal opinion on the next possible steps.
The release by the Director General of the group, Mr. Joe Obi Bisong, read, “dear esteemed supporters, the court of appeal, sitting in Lagos over the governorship election petition, has just delivered her judgment in our petition.
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“The judgement does not reflect the full conviction of our position on the processes leading to the election,
“We shall seek further legal opinion on the next possible steps.”
It also urged, “all our teeming supporters to remain calm and go about their legitimate businesses. We are confident that justice shall surely be ultimately done.”
Meanwhile, governor Bassey Otu has said that his victory at the Court of Appeal, should bring litigation over the governorship election to a close.
The governor explained that the judgment by the court of appeal was a clear indication of the people’s mandate and overwhelming support Cross Riverians gave to him at the election.
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Otu while applauding the industry and what he described as rigour of the Appeal Court ruling, claimed that he was confident of the judicial outcome, knowing that the electorate had overwhelmingly voted for him during the March 18 governorship election.
According to him, “the affirmation of the court victory has given him an added impetus to serve the State and move forward with his People First Agenda, while urging the opposition to accept the verdict of the court in good faith and join hands with his administration in moving the State forward.
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“The ruling of the Court of Appeal today is a welcome development and affirms that we were overwhelmingly voted in by the people on March 18, 2023.
“This ruling should bring an end to litigation on the outcome of the governorship election. For those in the opposition, especially my brother, Prof. Sandy Onor, I once again offer you a hand of friendship. Come and join my administration so that together we can move our state forward and bring about the dividends of democracy.
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“My administration is fully reenergised to deliver on the People First Mandate, which is on track to repositioning our state for effective and responsive governance. I solicit for the support and patience of all Cross Riverians as we navigate the challenging times towards the Cross River of our dream.
“Let me reassure all our citizens that we are working round the clock to ensure that we deliver the best governance for our people. It is important also to note that reparations are in top gear for a robust and successful Calabar festival, while we continue to address other socio-economic and developmental issues.”
