Agi vs Ayade: Jubilation as Supreme Court upholds Ayade’s election as Cross River governor

Eminent Cross Riverians have hailed the Supreme Court Victory of the state governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, in the case of alleged false declaration filed against the governor by an aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 elections, Joe Agi (SAN).

It would be recalled that Agi had earlier filed a suit at the Federal High court and appeal court respectively, praying that the court disqualify Ayade for allegedly submitting false information about his age to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The PDP aspirant, who came second in the PDP governorship primaries conducted in November 2014 alleged that Ayade lied on oath in INEC Form CF 001 that he was born on March 2, 1969 and in completing the screening form gave March 2, 1968 as his date of birth.

He also argued that having breached the PDP Electoral Guidelines and the Electoral Act, 2010, the court should nullify Ayade’s election.

But the Federal and Appeal Courts had dismissed his case for lack of merit.

Determined to pursue the case to a logical conclusion, Agi had headed to the Supreme Court.

But the Supreme Court on Friday in Abuja affirmed the victory of the governor.

Commenting on the outcome of the judgment, a Calabar-based legal practitioner and Commissioner in the state law reform commission, Ogar Ndoma Egodo described the victory as a victory for democracy and Nigeria.

He called on contending parties to take the outcome of the Supreme Court verdict in good faith and close ranks for the development of the state.

Also, Joe Agi’s campaign manager in the 2015 elections, Eddy Asia in an exclusive chat with the Nigerian Tribune in Calabar commended his principal for the doggedness in pursuing the case to a logical conclusion.

He commended thousands of Joe Agi’s supporters who through thick and thin stood firm and believed in his course.

Asia said, “I thank the thousands of supporters who were there and saw in the vision and believe in his course. I congratulate the governor for the victory and urge him to be magnanimous in victory.”

He also appealed to cross Riverians to join hands with the governor to move the state forward.

In the same vein, Public Relations Officer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Odema Ekpung said, ‘’It is a thing of glory that what we work for nobody has taken it away from us.

‘’It is a victory reassured. Nobody can take away our mandate from us. We urge all Cross Riverians to rally round the governor in the task of rebuilding the state. It is a victory for all Cross Riverians’’