Sunny Udeh|13 June 2019
Former Senate Leader and former Chairman, Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba SAN has reaffirmed his belief in the capacity of the Election Petition Tribunals sitting in Calabar to dispense of the petitions before them fairly and objectively. He noted that the judiciary has shown itself as a major bastion of Nigeria’s democracy over the years and has continued to be the last hope of the common man.
Senator Ndoma-Egba made these assertions at the end of proceedings of the Tribunal on the 11th of June 2019 where he led a team of eight other lawyers to represent the House of Assembly candidates of the APC from the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State who are prosecuting their petitions before the Hon. Justice A.A. Babawale-led Tribunal. The Distinguished Senator and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, had earlier admonished all the candidates of the Party who are pursuing election matters before the Tribunal to do so with diligence, determination and hope, noting that from what he has observed in the days he has attended the Tribunal sessions, the candidates have selected very capable and experienced lawyers to argue their matters.
Senator Ndoma-Egba, himself a litigant before the Tribunal arising from his exclusion as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State in the February 23rd February, 2019 National Assembly elections, had in an earlier interaction with the candidates assured them of his support and encouragement as they seek justice. He maintained that the Party was massively supported during the elections and still enjoys a huge followership in the State. And sued for their continuous support and prayers of all APC faithfuls in the State for the candidates who are currently seeking redress in the Tribunal.
When asked about how his matter was progressing in the Tribunal, Ndoma-Egba responded that as a senior lawyer, he is mindful of the fact that commenting on a matter before a court or tribunal is sub judice and superfluous. He, therefore, refrained from making any specific statement on the status of his petition before the Tribunal, but reiterated that he is hopeful that justice will be served at the end of the Tribunal’s work.
Candidates and supporters of the APC who thronged the Moore Road, Calabar premises of the Tribunal, during every sitting expressed their appreciation of the gesture by Senator Ndoma-Egba. They argued that it is uncommon for such a highly placed leader in society to offer his professional services and expertise, in such circumstances.
However, they observed that it has always been the hallmark of the Senator to identify on the side of the Party and the people, adding that his selfless support will very likely yield the desired result that will help strengthen the APC in Cross River State. They enjoined other bigwigs of the Party to emulate Senator Ndoma-Egba in rendering moral and financial support to the Party and its candidates who are pursuing litigations before the Election Petition Tribunal.