C’River APC Excited after Tribunal Dismisses Petition Against Egbona
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Chiemeka ADINDU, Calabar
It was a day of great joy for the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Cross River State as the petition filed against it and the member representing Abi/Yakuur federal constituency in the house of representatives, Dr. Alex Egbona by erstwhile Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly, Mr John Gaul-Lebo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was dismissed by the election tribunal sitting in Calabar.
Delivering judgment, Chairman of the 3-man tribunal, Mr Justice T. T. Asua struck out the petition with suit number, EPT/CR/REP/01/2020 following the withdrawal of the petition by Gaul.
Asua disclosed that the petitioner had on May 1, 2020 served a notice of withdrawal for the tribunal to discontinue the petition.
He ruled that the petitioner said the withdrawal was based on personal reasons and public interest as he desired to promote peace and unity in both his constituency and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Speaking with TNN shortly after the ruling, counsel to Egbona, Mba Ukweni, SAN, commended both parties for seeing the need to join in the development of their constituency.
He said “I commend both parties for coming together to ensure that they concern themselves with the development of their people and community rather than unnecessary litigation over this election matter.
“When a case is ended at the settlement of both parties, it makes for greater peace because we usually say that a matter is resolved at the instance of both parties. Judgment of the Court is not meant to favour both parties, the judgment of the court is based on the right of the parties”.
Vice chairman for APC, c central zone Cross River, Mr Vodina Enya said the ruling had brought a sigh of relief to the party as the case had lingered for a long time.
He advised the Egbona to embrace the opponent and join hands with him for the development of their people.
Also speaking with TNN, Director General for Egbona campaign organization, Chuks Agube said Egbona was the most traumatized politician in Cross River that had won an election.
“He has spent so much, running from one area to another just because of the fact that he needed to run an election. What is now before us is to think on how we should reunite the two parties because we are now talking about governance.”
