The All Progressives Congress (APC) governor Bassey Otu’s election has been upheld by the Cross River State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.In the March 18 gubernatorial election,
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Prof. Sandy Onor had submitted a petition contesting Otu’s election victory.
Tuesday, September 26, the Tribunal’s chairman, Justice Oken Inneh, declared in a decision that the questions of Prince Otu’s eligibility and Rt. Hon.
Peter Odey were pre-election matters, making them status barred.
A further explanation of the Deputy Governor’s allegation was provided by Hon.
The Tribunal stated that the matter is statute barred because neither the petitioners nor the third respondent, Peter Odey, provided any evidence to support their claims.
Despite swearing an oath of allegiance that he is a British citizen and, therefore, has dual citizenship.
The three-man panel concluded that because Rt Hon Odey’s party membership is a pre-election matter and is solely a matter of party business, the petitioners lack locus standi to challenge it.
