Otu Woos Opposition Following Victory at Tribunal

Bassey Inyang in Calabar

Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has wooed members of the opposition parties, and the people of the state to embrace his administration so they can work together for their overall interest.

Otu made the plea following his victory yesterday at the Elections Petition Tribunal, which delivered judgment in the petition brought against his electoral victory by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Sandy Onor.

Delivering judgment in Calabar, the state capital, the tribunal led by Justice Oken Inneh dismissed all the reliefs sought by the petitioners in suit no: EPT/CR/GOV02/2023, and affirmed the election of Senator Otu and his Deputy, Rt. Hon Peter Odey, on March 18, 2023.

A statement issued by Otu through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche, read: “It is with great delight and a high sense of responsibility that I welcome the judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal, which gave us our deserved victory, and has affirmed the mandate Cross River people freely and overwhelmingly gave us on March 18, 2023

“Our confidence in the judiciary has never been in doubt. And it has been reinforced by today’s dispassionate ruling on the elections. I commend the Election Petition Tribunal for proving their mettle once again by upholding the virtues of justice, fair play and responsibility.

“I call on all Cross Riverians to join hands with my administration as we continue to put in place the administrative framework needed to realise the noble objectives of our ‘People’s First’ mandate.

“With this judgment, I call on members of the opposition, who are our brothers and sisters, to take the ruling in good faith, jettison any further appeals and join hands with my administration to bring the much-needed dividends of democracy to our people.

“It is expedient for me to stress that if our dear state, Cross River, must be counted among the comity of states with bright future and great economic potential and social security, then all hands must be on deck to make the lofty dream come true.

“Our well-thought out ‘People First Agenda’ remains sacrosanct in attaining its goals. What I urge all citizens and those who have found here as home whether for business, investment, pleasure or education, is to be patient and give us the needed support as we work to reposition the state for the better.”