From Judex Okoro, Calabar
The Cross River state governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the last general elections, Sandy Onor, has expressed dissatisfaction at the tribunal judgement.
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had upheld the election of Governor Bassey Otu, saying the petitioner’s case lacked merit.
The Tribunal in a Suit No. EPT/CR/GOV/02/2023 and in a unanimous judgement chaired by Justice Oken Inneh, held that the issues of qualification of Prince Otu and dual citizenship of Rt. Hon. Peter Odey are pre-election matters and therefore status barred and subsequently dismissed the case at no cost.
However, reacting after the verdict, Prof Sandy Onor said: “Whilst I am extremely dissatisfied with the tribunal judgement on the matter, I have decided to take it with equanimity for now. However, I am yet to receive a formal copy of the judgement and the attendant briefing from my legal team.
“I propose to meet with the members of my campaign organisation in the coming days to ruminate on the instant situation, and to decide on the appropriate way forward.
“I commend Cross Rivarians for their unalloyed support, especially those he described as his prayer warriors.
“I enjoin our supporters to remain calm in the face of the provocation and injustice which we have been repeatedly subjected to while assuring them that their efforts and prayers won’t be in vain.”