Cross Riverians Hail Gov Otu
By Victor UDU
The outcome of the Appeal Court elicited many reactions from Cross Riverians who have long waited to sing the song of Victory and celebrate His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu's victory at the Appeal. But opposition says it's not uhuru as the People's Democratic party candidate and govership flag bearer, Senator Sandy Onor rejected the result citing certain irregularities and consequently stated it's stance to head for the Supreme Court as a final move to claim his mandate. His DG Campaign Organization, Obi Bisong in his reaction addressed to esteemed supporters, unbehalf of the caterpillar movement said the judgement didn't reflect the full conviction of our position on the processes leading to the election and thereby rejected the appeal verdict and stated it resolve to seek further legal action on the next steps while appealing to supporters to remain calm.
However, the PDP position has not been able to stop the out pouring of felicitations , congratulations and good Will Messages to The governor elect, Prince Bassey Edet Otu who is currently in his sixth month in office having been inaugurated On May 29,202
The leadership of the opposition party, PDP registered their position in a release from the Party Secretariat signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mike Ojisi upholding the DGs position and described the ruling as a temporary set back and however expressed that there's still room in the Supreme Court to seek redress.
The first and latest reaction to reach the Beagle news is that of the foremost Chieftain of the APC and Chairman,APC, Barrister Alphonsus Eba.
He said the PDP had the opportunity of appealing those judgements to the Supreme Court when it was pre-election only to come out during the time of Tribunal to reinstate the same issues.According to him "These are purely abuses of court processes.
"We are happy that the Tribunal and Court of Appeal have given a final nail to the coffin. All we can say is that they should not deceive their supporters, the law is very clear, moreso that our governor has opened up his hands that everybody should join hands with him to
move Cross River State forward. And as a party there's room to accommodate everybody. Everybody should join hands with us.And the PDP people in Cross River must also open their eyes to what is happening in the National politics.
Also reacting to the judgement an APC Chieftain and one time minority leader in the CRHA, Chief Cletus Obun argued that "After the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal judgement and subsequent affirmation by the Supreme Court, it became apparent that any litigation based on grounds laid out in the extant statutes of our land was not just imperiled but dead on arrival.
Obun stated that the Prince Bassey Edet Otu's legal encounter became a shadow-chasing judicial circus show, pointing out that with both combatants evenly march, the victory of Governor Bassey Edet Otu at the Appeal Court was both predictable and consolidatory and confirmed that the people's votes counted.
Further reactions were not different, this time from the South South Zonal Chairman of CNPP, Comrade Castro Adoga Ezama congratulated Otu for the Victory saying it was victory for democracy and appealed that those in court should instead join hands with the governor to move the state forward.
Ezama said " Senator Otu needs everyone's support irrespective of political parties. I am certain that the governor will adopt President Tinubu's model of inclusive governance where fantastic brains will be brought to fix the economy of our state".
In their joint responses, Mr Sunday Michael and Mr. Padi Ali congratulated His Excellency governor Otu for the victory and submitted that there's no Victor and no vanquished calling on all hands to be on deck in order for the governor to deliver on his campaignpromises Celebrating governor Otu's victory, the Health Commissioner, Dr.Henry Ayuk thanked God for granting Cross Riverians their wishes and appealed to opposition
parties to call a truce on all legal tussles but should instead join the administration to build good governance for Cross Riverians.
Cajetan Dan: Odey said in a congratulatory message to the governor and deputy that "the judgement by the Court of Appeal is an affirmation that the rule of law is meant to protect the will of the people in a fair and free electioneering process".
He said "As a legal practitioner, having looked at the facts of the case from the onset, I knew that the case was baseless and a waste of time, as the outcome is not a surprise ".
According to the Senator Odey, "By this judgement, the appellate court clearly shows that the governor and deputy, were candidates who the people of Cross River chose to pilot their affairs for the next four years."
Similarly, the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem expressed gratitude to God for the victory and commended the judiciary for being the hope of the common man.
"The Appeal Court has once again affirmed that it's the hope of the common man. Am glad that the judgement has come forth, even if they drag the Governor to the Supreme Court am pretty sure that he will still win.I thank God for standing with Governor Otu because he means we'll for the state.
The Speaker of the 10th Assembly called on opposition, PDP to join hands with the APC to move the state forward.
"I see all this as a distraction, let's end all of this, let's come together and build Cross River State. Let's work for the common interest of our dear state". Ayambem advised.
Governor Bassey Otu in his reaction on receiving the news of the appeal court victory observed that the victory should bring to an end the litigation over the Guber election and applauded the industry and rigour of the judiciary and described the ruling as a demonstration of the electorate overwhelming support in the March 18 electrons.
According to Otu, the affirmation has given him more impetus to serve the state and move forward with his people's first agenda of his administration and urged opposition to accept the verdict in good faith.
"This ruling should bring an end to the litigation on the outcome of the Guber election . For those in opposition especially with brother, Sandy Onor, I once again offer my hand in friendship....."
My administration is fully re-energised to deliver on the people first mantra which is on track to repositioning our state for effective and responsive governance, I solicit for the support and patience of all Cross Riverians we navigate the current challenging times towards the Cross River of our dream".
Recall that on Wednesday,Nov 22, 2023, the Appeal Court sitting in Lagos upheld the decision of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal of September 26 by upholding the election of Governor Bassey Otu and his deputy Rt. Hon Peter Odey.
Otu was declared winner of the polls by INEC having polled a total of 258,619 votes, winning 15 out of 18 Local Government Areas of the state to defeat hi closest rival, Sandy Onor of the PDP who garnered 179,636 votes to come second.
