The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos southwest Nigeria, has firmly rejected the Sen Sandy Ojang Onor’s appeal to block Sen Bassey Edet Otu, from being declared winner in the March 2023 governorship election in Cross River State.
The panel deem the case was without merit and affirms Gov. Otu’s victory.
- Truth Live News had in March 2023 reported that Gov. Bassey Edet Otu, of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled a total of 258,619 votes, winning 15 of the 18 LGAs of the state to beat Sen Sandy Ojang Onor, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who had 179,636 votes.
The ruling is another setback for Prof Sandy Ojang Onor in his attempts to overturn the ruling by the Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Calabar on Tuesday 26th September 2023.
Reacting to the judgement, on Wednesday November 22, 2023, the Governor of Cross River State Sen Bassey Edet Otu, said “This ruling should bring an end to litigation on the results of the governorship election.
Recalled that Sen Onor went to Court after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced results on Monday 20th March 2023.
Otu said the ruling of the Court of Appeal was a welcome development and affirms that he was overwhelmingly voted in by the people on the 18th of March 2023.
“My administration is fully re-energised to deliver on the People First Mandate, which is on track to repositioning our state for effective and responsive governance,” Otu continued. “I solicit the support and patience of all Cross Riverians as we navigate the challenging times towards the Cross River of our dreams.”
He said: “For those in the opposition, especially my brother, Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor, I once again offer you a hand of friendship.”
While calling on him to join his administration so that together they can move the state forward and bring about the dividends of democracy, he said “Let me reassure all our citizens that we are working round the clock to ensure that we deliver the best governance for our people.”
“While we continue to address other socio-economic and developmental issues,” he announced that It was important also to note that preparations are in top gear for a robust and successful Calabar festival.