By Abasi Ita, Calabar
Prominent Cross Riverians across various strata of society have continued to facilitate the state Governor, Senator Bassey Otu over the Election Tribunal verdict delivered yesterday which affirmed his victory in the March 18, 2023 Governorship polls.
Reacting to the judgment, the
House of Assembly Member, representing Akamkpa 1 state constituency and Chairman House Committee on Information, Communication, Technology and Public Affairs, Hon Okon Nyong Owuna congratulated Governor Bassey Otu and his Deputy, Rt Hon Peter Odey on their victory at the Election Petition Tribunal describing it as an affirmation of the people’s mandate.
The Lawmaker who spoke in a telephone interview said the tribunal ruling was an act of God and a clear indication that the Almighty God had ordained Governor Otu to take Cross River State to greater heights.
” Let me use this opportunity to congratulate my Governor, the Sweet Prince on the victory at the Election Petition Tribunal. God has done it, there is no doubt that this is the will of God. It also confirmed INEC results as a crystal reflection of the collective will of the people of Cross River.’ Owuna stated.
Owuna expressed confidence that Governor Otu-led Administration will move the State forward and deliver democratic dividends to the citizenry.
‘ I know that the State is bedeviled by several challenges, especially In the areas of security, infrastructural decay, Education, and so on but the Governor has started tackling these challenges, he has put in place strategies to revamp the economy like the removal of the ban on logging, tackling the menace of refuse disposal, the appointment of seasoned and qualified Cross Riverians into the State Executive Council. With this victory, am sure, he will settle down to the business of governance. With his ‘People First ” stance, Cross Riverians are in for a season of sweetness indeed”.
The Lawmaker appealed to the opposition to eschew bitterness
and rancor and embrace peace by teaming up with the Governor in the task of moving the state forward
Speaking in the same vein, the
Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government Affairs in the state, Chief Victor Idem also congratulated Governor, Bassey Otu, and his Deputy, Rt Hon Peter Odey on their victory at the Election Petition Tribunal.
The Commissioner lauded the Tribunal for the sound judgment
stressing that the verdict has “rekindled the hope of Nigerians in the judiciary as the anchor of democracy in Nigeria”
He assured Governor Otu of unflinching support and irrevocable loyalty from the people of Calabar Municipal irrespective of political barriers in the onerous task of repositioning the state to recover lost grounds.
In his words “To our amiable Governor, as you forge ahead in your quest to reposition our dear state on the path of recovery and greatness, be assured of our unflinching support, cooperation, irrevocable commitment, and loyalty to the visionary aspirations of your pragmatic administration, as encapsulated in the People-First mantra”
“We urge our brothers and sisters across the political divide to sheath the sword and allow the interest of our beloved state to preponderate every primordial or selfish consideration”
He posited that lingering court action aimed at overturning the choice of the masses expressed in clear and loud terms at the polls constitutes a major distraction capable of hindering the present administration from the pursuit of its laudable agenda for the state
Meanwhile, the state chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Apostle Trinity Ogar has implored members of the opposition party to take the judgment in good faith and team up with Governor Otu in propelling the state forward