Tribunal Upholds Election Of PDP's Godwin Offiono, APC's Victor Abang
By Victor UDU
The Cross River State National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal has upheld the election of PDP's Godwin Offiono and, APC'S Victor Abang.
Godwin Offiono, a People's Democratic Party National Assembly member representing Ogoja and Yala Federal constituency and APC'S Victor Abang, Boki/Ikom federal constituency were declared winners by a unanimous decision.
Whereas the tribunal on Abang /Ochinke matter headed by Justice Musa Sambo held that the petitoners have failed to prove their allegations and the issues set out in the petition have been resolved against them accordingly
Justice Sambo also ordered the parties to bear their respective costs in the suit which is marked EPT/CA/HR/02/2023.
The petitioners in the suit against Jude Ngaji and the All Progressives Congress had filed the suit in the tribunal on the 17th of March, 2023.
The petitioners sole grounds for the petition was the invalidation of the February 25 national assembly elections on grounds of corrupt practices and non compliance with the provisions of the electoral act.
He sought some reliefs from the tribunal including an order cancelling the elections, order cancelling the certificate of return, order for fresh elections or in the alternative order cancelling elections in 39 polling units.
The tribunal in reaching it's conclusion held that "the petitioners have failed to substantiate their allegation of improper accreditation as contained in paragraph 14 to 17 of their petition.
"Petitioners allegation of over-voting in only 4 polling units does not affect the overall outcome of the election and it is not the duty of the tribunal to fish for evidence.
"The petitioners , therefore failed to discharge the burden that the respondent colluded to allot votes", the tribunal held.
On the disenfranchisement of voters, the tribunal maintained that it is only the disenfranchised voters who ought to give evidence of their disenfranchisement in court.
It further held that in the absence of the testimony of the disenfranchised voters, it cannot be said that the disenfranchisement actually took place.
Reacting to the Judgement, Victor Abang, MP said the judgement was a reaffirmation of the people's mandate.
He assured his constituents of a rubost and effective representation and urged the petitioner to join ranks with him to build the Boki/Ikom constituency.
