The Cross River State National Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal has upheld the election of Godwin Offiono of the People’s Democratic Party.
Recall that Ofiono representing Ogoja and Yala Federal constituency was declared the winner through a unanimous decision.
Justice O. A. Adeniyi, who headed the tribunal, held that the petitioners have failed to prove their allegations and the issues set out in the petition have been resolved against them.
Justice Adeniyi mandated the parties to bear their respective costs in the suit, which is marked EPT/CA/HR/02/2023.
Report has it that the petitioners in the suit, Jude Ngaji and the All Progressives Congress had filed a suit in the tribunal on the 17th of March, 2023.
The petitioners maintained that the invalidation of the February 25 national assembly elections paved the way for corrupt practices and non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The tribunal, in reaching its conclusion, held that “the petitioners failed to substantiate their allegation of improper accreditation as contained in paragraphs 14 to 17 of their petition.
“Petitioners allegation of over-voting in only four 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 have failed to discharge the burden that the respondent colluded to allot votes”, the tribunal held.
