BREAKING...C'River: Tribunal Upholds Election Of APC's Bassey Otu, Dismisses Petitioners Cases For Lack Of Merit

From Dominic OKOH and Ogbu KOSY, Calabar

The Cross River State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has declared Governor Bassey Otu of APC as the authentic winner of the March 18 election.

The Tribunal led by Justice Oken Inneh, in a Suit No. EPT/CR/GOV/02/2023 and in an unanimous judgement, 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.

On the issue of party's membership of Rt Hon Odey, the 3-man panel held that not is not justiciable in law.

According to the Panel, membership of political party is exclusively party matters and it's a pre-election issue therefore the petitioners lacks locus standi to challenge it.

The judgement, unanimously dismissed the petition at no cost.

Meanwhile, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River State, Comrade Sunday Michael, has congratulated His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu on his victory at the Elections Petition Tribunal.

Comrade Sunday Michael, APC Stalwart 

"For us, the outcome is not a shock as it has been anticipated due to the acceptability and popularity of His Excellency before, during and after the elections.

"The tribunal judgment is only a testimony of our anticipation.

"It is time to join hands with His Excellency to build a prosperous and better Cross River State," Michael wrote.