Sandy Onor Dissatisfied With Governorship Election, Set To Approach Court

 

“The fundamental norm of every contest is that there must be a winner and a loser but the contest must also be free, fair, and credible. 

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By Patrick Obia 

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the just concluded March 18 election in Cross River State, Sen. Sandy Onor has expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the polls.

In a press statement signed by Sen. Onor, he said the election which produced Sen. Bassey Otu as governor-elect was marred with irregularities and violence and does not reflect the will of the people.

He disclosed that having taken critical analysis and wide consultation with his legal team, there is a need to seek redress in court.

He appeals to his “teeming supporters across the length and breadth of our dear State to remain calm and put their trust in God, who ultimately gives power.”

The statement reads: “About a week ago, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared my friend and brother, Sen. Bassey Edet Otu, the winner of the Saturday 18th March Governorship Elections in Cross River State.

“The fundamental norm of every contest is that there must be a winner and a loser but the contest must also be free, fair, and credible.

“We are all aware that the said election was marred by a plethora of irregularities. The Independent National Electoral Commission was neither independent nor impartial. INEC officials aided by security personnel manipulated the system altered results at various collation levels and frustrated the will of the majority of Cross Riverians. Indeed, the election of Saturday 18 March 2023 was characterized by outright vote buying, intimidation of voters, and violence, which regrettably led to the loss of lives. We express our heartfelt sympathies to the families of these heroes of democracy. We assure you that the perpetrators of this crime shall be brought to justice, if not by man, but by God.

“We have consulted with our legal and technical teams as well as stakeholders to review the entire electoral process and have come to the inescapable conclusion that we must seek legal redress. This is tailored to meet the yearnings and aspirations of a vast majority of Cross Riverians. We are confident that we will get justice. We appeal to our teeming supporters across the length and breadth of our dear State to remain calm and put their trust in God, who ultimately gives power. God bless Cross River State.”