The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Calabar, has dismissed the petition brought against the election of the member-elect for Ikom/Boki federal constituency of Cross River State, Chief Victor Bisong Abang, by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Barrister Attah Ochinke, in the February 25th National Assembly poll.
This was revealed in a statement by Hon. Abang, titled: “No Winner, No Crush; We Are Partners in Development.”
Popularly known as ‘Mature,’ Abang, who is believed to have won the election fair and square said in the statement, “Yesterday (Tuesday) the Election Petition Tribunal for National/States Assembly, sitting in Calabar, the Cross River State capital dismissed the petition brought by Barr Attah Ochinke, the PDP candidate, and his party against my election in the February 25th Presidential/National Assembly Elections.
“The petition, numbered EPT/CR/HR/08/2023, was dismissed because the petitioners’ – Attah Ochinke and PDP – application for a pre-trial hearing was filed prematurely, when the 2nd and 3rd respondents were still within time to file their replies to the petition.
“Relying on the provision of the 1st Schedule of the Electoral Act 2022, Ist Schedule, Paragraph 18(1) which stipulates ‘within seven days of the petitioner’s reply to the respondent or seven days after filling and service of the respondent’s reply, whichever is the case, the petitioner shall apply for the issuance of pre-hearing as in TF 007,’ the panel of judges, headed by Justice N. A Sambo, dismissed the petitioners’ petition because it was filed prematurely and without compliance with the provision of the Ist Schedule, Paragraph 18(1) of the 2022 Electoral Act; and Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution. Though the decision of the court has sustained an impediment in the petitioners’ quest for judicial redress in the outcome of the election, however, our people’s quest for togetherness, robust representation, and the politics of inclusiveness remain the major trust in our push for growth and the need to end litigation and build consensus in the federal constituency.
“Our political growth need not be scandalized by disagreement and contention, but by building, working, and walking together for the good of the constituents. We must begin to pursue objectives that tend to enhance our people and find solutions to their challenges.
“We must bring an end to litigation, while furthering consensus. We must see ourselves as indivisible people, bonded by history, brotherhood, and friendship. Our collective will and passion are to drive our people from where they are to where they are supposed to be.
“Our quest to re-engineer a new lkom/Boki must be deliberate, intentional, and purposeful. Our joy and satisfaction should be seen in our collaboration and desire to succeed.
“Let us harness the opportunity at our disposal to grow our society. Let our love be complemented by faith and hope. Let us espouse love for our people; our faith in our union, and hope in our ability to collectively build a vibrant Ikom/Boki federal constituency.
“I call on my brother and long-standing friend, Barr. Ochinke, former Attorney-General of Cross River State, to join me to work together for the benefit and prosperity of our people.
“Power comes from God and He chooses who He gives at any particular time. This was a contest not war!
“Our supporters have lost nothing. Let’s work together for the good of our people. Our hope and aspirations for greater Ikom/Boki cannot be attained without bonding together despite our political differences.
“Let’s rise together for the good of our people. Let’s stand together for a better tomorrow.”
