The Appeal Court in Lagos has upheld the election victory of Bassey Otu as the governor of Cross River State, affirming the September 26 ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal. Otu secured victory in the governorship election by defeating his closest opponent, Senator Sandy Onor of the PDP, with a total of 258,619 votes and winning in 15 of the state’s 18 local governments.
Governor Otu, extending a hand of friendship to his primary rival Onor, expressed confidence in the appeal’s outcome, emphasizing the overwhelming support he received from the electorate in the March 18 governorship election.
Otu pledged to serve the state with his “People First Agenda” and called on the opposition to accept the ruling in good faith, urging collaboration to move the state forward.
In response to the court’s decision, Governor Otu stated, “The ruling of the Court of Appeal today is a welcome development and affirms that we were overwhelmingly voted in by the people on March 18, 2023. This ruling should bring an end to litigation on the outcome of the governorship election. For those in the opposition, especially my brother, Prof. Sandy Onor, I once again offer you a hand of friendship. Come and join my administration so that together we can move our state forward and bring about the dividends of democracy.”
