Tribunal Dismisses Petition Against Governor Ayade

Fresh facts last weekend
    emerged on why the Cross River State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Calabar, the State capital dismissed a petition brought before it by the candidate of the Labour Party, Barrister Fidelis Ugboh, seeking the nullification of the election of Governor Ben Ayade of Cross  River State.
The Presiding Judge, Mr. Justice Mohammed Aliyu Mayaki, said it was in agreement with the respondents that the case be dismissed out-rightly even though the petitioner (Ugboh) had earlier filed  an application seeking withdrawal of the case.
According to him, “all the respondents have agreed that the application is that of dismissal. We have carefully considered all the submissions of the counsel and ruled that the petition be out-rightly dismissed.”
Counsel to the petitioner, Olusegun Bolitife said his principal, Fidelis Ugbo and his deputy, Nelly Andem Ewa(SAN) decided to withdraw the case against the Governor “for peace and progress of Cross River  State.”
In a chat with newsmen shortly after the ruling, the State Secretary of the ruling People’s Democratic  Party (PDP), Mr. Godwin Etta said, “the whole of Cross River would be in a jubilant mood because the final case in the tribunal regarding the governorship election in Cross River State is over, so the governor.”
“The APC governorship candidate had earlier withdrawn his case and indeed Cross Riverians are now free to celebrate,” he quipped. He however commended Barrister Fidelis Ugbo (petitioner) and his deputy, Nella Andem Ewa Rabana (SAN) for filing an application for withdrawal of the case, adding that, it shows that they are sensitive to  the peaceful co-existence of people here.
Also, the Acting Legal Adviser to Governor Ayade, Alphonsus Eba commended Ugbo for withdrawing the  case stressing that, “it is victory for democracy.”
The lead counsel to the 1st respondent (Ayade), Barrister Mba Ukweni, extolled the judge for the sound  ruling, adding that, “It is an indication that Nigeria’s democracy is evolving”.

From FRIDAY NWAGBARA, Calabar