Appeal Court Overturns Tribunal Judgment On Egbona As Ndoma-Egbe Loses Out To Onor
Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar, yesterday set aside the judgment of the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, which sacked the Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Petroleum Downstream Committee, Dr. Alex Egbona.
The Appeal Court presided over by Justice Tijani Abubakar, however, ruled that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, should conduct a fresh election in Ekureku 1 and 2, being Egbona’s village, within the next 90 days.
Reacting to the judgment, Egbona expressed appreciation to the judges for their steadfastness even as he thanked his people for their support and prayers.
In a statement, Egbona said: “The Appeal Court sitting in Calabar has set aside the judgment of the elections petition tribunal which nullified my election. The court has also ruled that a fresh election be held in my village, my stronghold, Ekureku 1and 2, within the next 90 days.
“From this judgment, those who were celebrating and making preparations to go to Abuja for the inauguration of a man that never won an election have been put to shame. Those who were already dreaming to take over my seat in the House of Reps have been put to shame, alongside their godfathers. The God that we serve, the God of Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency, the God of the masses that I represent and will continue to represent, is not asleep and has shown today that He is with us. We won yesterday and we will win again.
“I can boldly say that even if INEC conducts the election in our constituency 100 times, we will win. I am therefore urging all of you, my followers, fans, and supporters, to remain calm. One battle has been won, the next will come within the next 90 days.
In a related development, the Appeal Court upheld the victories of Sen Sandi Onor, Hon. Mick Etaba and Hon Chirs Agibe.
The lawmakers representing River Central Senatorial District, Etung Federal Constituency and lkom/Boki Federal Constituency respectively are PDP candidates.
In the case of Ndoma Egba, APC, and Onor, the court upheld the decision of the election petition tribunal in Calabar, which earlier declared Onor as duly elected against Sen. Ndoma-Egba in the February 23, 2019, National Assembly elections.
In a unanimous judgment the three-man panel, led by Justice T. Abubakar, Justice P.O Elechi and Justice A.A Wambai held that the appeal by Ndoma-Egba lacked merit.
Also, the victoryies of Mr. Mike Etaba representing Obubra Etung Federal Constituency (PDP) and Mr. Chris Agibe as the lawmaker representing Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency of Cross River in the National Assembly.
