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27th March 2023
In about one week after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, winner of the 18th March Governorship and House of Assembly elections in Cross River state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sen. Sandy Onor, has rejected the outcome, citing electoral malpractices and irregularities aided by the election umpire and security agents.
On or who issued a statement in Calabar, Sunday acknowledged that in every contest there must be a winner and a loser, but the contest must also be free, fair and credible.
The statement read in part: “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, March 18, 2023 was characterised by outright vote buying, intimidation of voters and violence, which regrettably led to 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, 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.”
He appealed to the supporters across the length and breadth of the state to remain calm while the legal processes take its course.
Recall that the state Collation Officer for Governorship Election in the state, Prof. Teddy Charles Adias, had on Monday last week, announced that Sen. Bassey Edet Otu polled a total of 258,619 votes to defeat his closest rival, Prof. Sandy Onor that scored 179, 636 votes
