By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
There was jubilation in Calabar, the Cross River State capital by a group of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, faithful, following the swearing-in of Dr. Stephen Odey as the representative of the Cross River North senatorial district by the Senate President, Jubrin Lawan yesterday.
Odeywais sworn in by Senator Lawan following expiration of an interim court order by the Federal High Court FCT, Abuja division.
The court presided over by Justice O.A. Musa gave the order in suit No. M/633/2020, filed on December 8, 2020.
Odey’s swearing-in into the red chamber of the National Assembly followed his declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on December 5, after he overwhelmingly won the keenly contested elections.
However, Odey was not sworn-in by the Senate President on Tuesday following a legal tussle which ensued with his PDP counterpart, Rt. Hon Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, serving House of Representatives member for Ogoja/Yala federal constituency in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
A walk through some major streets of the Federal Housing Estate in Calabar, Odey’s supporters were seen in about three to four drinking joints discussing about his victory.
Besides, some of the party supporters are also seen in splinter groups also discussing Odey’s victory, saying that that swearing-in Odey into theS was a step by the leadership of the Senate in the right direction.
Some supporters were seen chanting ‘Our man has finally been sworn-in ooh,” while others were involved in acrobatic display along the streets, insisting that it was a good thing that Odey was finally sworn in.
One of the party faithful who claimed to be a staunch supporter of Odey, Alfred Ochuelebe, said, “I was not happy with what happened at the initial stage as if Odey does not have the right to seek for the Senate seat.
“Thank God, he finally made it. I am really happy with the development.
He stressed that “Odey’s philanthropic character is one of those attributes that makes Odey second to none.”
He further stated that with Odey, the narrative is going to be changed, particularly in the constituency whenever he begins work, even as he called on aggrieved party men in the senatorial district to sheath their swords and join hands with sSenator Odey to take the senatorial district to enviable height.
