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Tag: #Bassey Otu

  • Gov Otu Lauds Hon Victor Abang ‘Mature’

    Gov Otu Lauds Hon Victor Abang ‘Mature’

    By Fred Abua

    The Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu has congratulated the Member Representing Boki/Ikom Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. (Chief) Victor Bisong Abang, on his election victory and successful commencement of his term at the House.

    Speaking at the Thanksgiving Mass/Reception held at Akwagom, the Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, described Hon. Victor Abang as an example of a man who loved God. He praised Hon. Abang’s sacrifices for the work of God, particularly the Catholic Church. The Governor disclosed that it was when Hon. Abang stepped down from the APC primaries for the sake of peace that God chose to give it to him. He called on those who were in court to challenge Hon. Abang’s mandate to have a rethink because it was already ordained that he will complete the term. The Governor praised Hon. Abang’s work in the House of Representatives as the work of a man who thinks about the people.

    The Bishop of Ogoja Diocese, Bishop Donatus Etim, who was not physically present sent words of congratulations assuring the Member of Parliament that he will continue to uplift the Member in prayers. In his words, ‘by entrusting you with their votes, the people have expressed their belief in your ability to bring about positive change, uplift their social well being and champion their interests. Do not disappoint them.’

    The Chief of Staff, Hon Emmanuel Ironbar, said Hon. Victor Abang, popularly called ‘Mature’ by his fans and friends, was a man to be emulated to get the kind of results the Member was getting in his life. Ironbar said the man worked for God and God is working for him.

    ‘Mature’ who was moved to tears by the massive support of priests, politicians, community leaders, family and friends, pledged that he will give his people quality representation at the House of Representatives. He said he had already sponsored 2 bills for the siting of federal educational institutions in Okunde and Ikom within only 67 days in office adding that within a short time, the constituency will be heard across the nation.

    Hon. Victor Abang who presented a car to each of the APC Chapter Chairmen of Ikom and Boki also gave several motorcycles to his constituents and led his friends and guests to make donations towards the building of a school within the church premises.

    Dignitaries who attended the ceremony included MP, Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey, Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Mike Odere, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Hon. Abubakar Ewa, Commissioner for Information, Mr. Erasmus Ekpang, Member Representing Boki 1 in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Hon. Bette Obi, Gen. Moses Obi (Rtd), Prof. Zana Akpagu, amongst others.

  • Tribunal Reserves Ruling In Sen Onor’s Petition To Remove Prince Otu

    Tribunal Reserves Ruling In Sen Onor’s Petition To Remove Prince Otu

    By Ndifon Joseph 

    The Cross River State Governorship Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Calabar has reserved ruling in the petition filed by Governorship Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Prof. Sandy Ojang Onor challenging the eligibility of Senator Bassey Otu & Hon. Peter Odey of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 Governorship Elections in the state.

    The tribunal having adopted parties’ final written addresses, reserved judgement to a date to be communicated to the parties in the case.

    Chairman of the panel, Justice Oken Inneh who on the last adjourned date directed parties to prepare final briefs of argument and appear for adoption said the tribunal would later communicate the parties on a date for judgement.

    Addressing newsmen at the end of proceedings, Counsel to Sen. Onor & the PDP, Dr J. Y. Musa (SAN), said: “All the parties presented their final written addresses to be given the opportunity to adumbrate. In adumbrating, we drew the courts attention to the fact that the case is essentially on the fact that the 2nd & 3rd respondents lied on oath.

    “In the beginning we didn’t allege any forgery, but there were the ones who brought certificates showing that they could be forgery. There were the ones who tendered the documents. They opened the pandora box by themselves. So we adopted and it’s in our written address.”

    Asked on his clients prayers to the court, Dr Musa responded, “Of course to declare their votes ‘wasted votes’ and to declare our clients the winner. That’s it, because if the court nullifies their candidature upon the argument on qualification and declares their votes, wasted votes, they will be under obligation to declare us the winner because we have the geographical spread to be so declared.”

    When asked to commend on the controversy surrounding the INEC Form EC9, the Learned Silk concluded, “That’s the affidavit of personal particulars. The governor did not provide any qualification in his affidavit of personal particulars and the documents he attached to that affidavit were not verified by the affidavit. They were in conflict with the affidavit. And then, in their bid to try and see how they could answer us on that, they now brought out certificates that now, were in contradistinction with what was attached in Form EC9. That’s why we said he lied on oath.”

    On his part, counsel to the 2nd & 3rd respondents, Prof. Mike Ozekhome (SAN), said: “From my submission today, the truth is that from the 10th of July, 2023, when they withdrew grounds 2 & 3 of the petition, which talked about discrepancies, non-accreditation, non-trasnmission through BIVAS, through iRev and all other alleged malpractices, which were funny, phony and untrue allegations, their petitions collapsed like a pack of cards. They personally sank the metis, they wrote the elegy of their own petition.

    “The truth is that they never had any case at all. We have been wasting our time. Their case is predicted on the allegation that the 2nd respondent, the governor was not educated up to school certificate level. That is their case, it’s here and it’s the ground of the petition. But, they abandoned that and started talking about forgery, about discrepancies in the certificates by saying that the documents attached to Form EC9 of INEC said the Primary School certificate was 1966, secondary 1972, and University Degree (B.sc Hons Sociology) was 1980.

    “But, from the very witness, their own witness (DW-1) we were able to extract under cross-examination that those mentioned were the dates of entry into the various schools, but that the certificates before the tribunal which we tendered, the very originals including the ones they themselves attached to Form EC9 show that where the governor mentioned 1966 which was the year of entry, the certificate showed 1972 which was the year of graduation from primary school. That, where they mentioned 1972 for the secondary school, the certificate shows that he graduated in 1977 and where the form was filled for B.sc in 1980, witness made it clear that the certificates shows 1984. So, where is the discrepancy,” he questioned.

    The adoption of the final written addresses is the precursor to fixing a date for the judgement.

  • Gov Otu Begins Plans Towards Carnival Calabar 2023

    Gov Otu Begins Plans Towards Carnival Calabar 2023

    By Fred Abua, Esq

    Carnival Calabar an event that showcases the cultural heritage of Cross River State and Nigeria at large is 21 Years Old.

    The State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, recently received a team of Turkish Investors interested in investing in the Carnival Calabar. The Governor said “after 20 years, Carnival Calabar, like any other longstanding investment was due for rejigging, relaunching and reimagining .”

    The Turkish team of investors which met separately with the Governor and the Deputy Governor went on an inspection tour of the 12km Carnival Route with the Chairman of the Tourism and Culture Cluster of the Transition Committee, Mr. Gabe Onah, and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Development, Mrs. Eme Afiah. The group was accompanied by the Director of Tourism, Mr. Ekpenyong Ojoi, Mr. Thomas Ikpeme, Mr. Mathias Amgba, amongst others.

    The Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, who later received the visiting team in his office in the company of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem and the Member representing Akamkpa 2 State Constituency, Hon. Linus Etim, said Calabar Carnival was the most colorful in the world comparable only to that of Brazil.

    Hon. Odey assured the Turkish team of their security and the Governor’s commitment to ensuring that Cross River regains her place as Number 1 Tourism Destination in Nigeria.

    He said Cross River State was the most welcoming group of people in the world while eulogizing the Head of the Culture and Tourism Cluster, Mr. Gabe Onah who had sold the Carnival to the world and led the brand for more than 16 years.

    Agreeing with the earlier position of the Governor, Hon. Odey said it was time to move the Carnival Calabar brand from its routine to the next level and expressed faith that the partnership would ensure that the 2023 carnival is the best ever.

    Speaking at the event, Mr. Gabe Onah, presented the team from GL Events who he said were in Calabar to introduce the hidden areas that will make the brand self-sustaining to achieve its primary objectives and opined that after 21 years, Carnival Calabar had come of age. He expressed confidence in GL Events who had organized global events including the African Nations Cup.

    He said carnival bands were private sector-driven and ought to be self-sponsoring; this innovation will ensure that the bands stop depending on Government.

    Accompanied by Mr Ikechi Uko , the consultant to the international carnival , Ms Umran Alinak and Seda Diker, representatives of GL Events said they had come to Calabar to inspect and tell the story of Carnival Calabar by themselves. They added that a larger team would return to Calabar by September to prepare for the Carnival in December.

    Diker promised that their group was ready to make Carnival Calabar global having organized events like the world cup and the likes of the Super Ball.

    In his comments , the organizer of Akwaba Africa Travel Market , Mr Ikechi Uko observed that, from all indications, Carnival Calabar 2023 has the potential to maintain her lead as the foremost cultural event in Nigeria after Afrobeat and Nollywood to open up Nigeria in positive ways beyond Africa to the whole world.

     

  • Odey Commends World Bank Funded APPEALS Project

    Odey Commends World Bank Funded APPEALS Project

    By Ukongikwen Adie

    The World Bank Agro Processing, Productivity, Enhancement and Livelihood improvement Support Project (APPEALS PROJECT) made up of the Task Team Leader, Mr. Manievel Sene, the National Project Coordinator, Mohammed Sani Jobdi, the State Project Coordinator Mr Marcel Agim and other high ranking officers called on the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Prince Bassey Otu, who was represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey.

    Speaking during the visit, Hon Peter Odey first appreciated the APPEALS Project leader and his team for the support given Cross River State. He conveyed the Governor’s commitment towards the project while assuring the team that they will continue to get the needed support because part of their mission is to commission the projects within the administration’s 100 days in office.

    Odey stated that having worked at the United Nations Development Programme, he is conversant with how donor- funded projects work. He assured the team that he will strive to see that Cross Riverians are not left behind. He added that as head of the State Steering Committee, he will go further to identify those contractors delaying the projects in order to give them the needed push to ensure that they deliver.

    Earlier, the Task Team Leader, Mr. Manievel Sene, thanked the governor for the support the project has received, while appealing for more support so that the projects can be completed early in August otherwise the funds will have to be returned to the World Bank and the opportunity for more funding will be lost.

    Also speaking, the National Project Coordinator Mohammed Sani Jobdi, thanked Sen Bassey Otu, for his timely intervention which will go a long way to add value to the the lives of Cross Riverians.

    On his part, the State Coordinator, Mr. Marcel Agim, said the project has done well so far with the efforts of the National office and Directors from the respective Federal Ministries who have done a lot to support the project. He added that since the assumption of the present administration, there has been very significant improvement and plenty of jubilation since His Excellency, Senator Bassey Otu directed that the restrictions on the project accounts be removed. He solicited the that the zeal he has shown should be sustained in the few months left to enable the APPEALS Project finished strong.

    He said many Cross Riverians can now afford their daily meals and send their children to school because of farms and agric businesses that they have. They have also become entrepreneurs because the APPEALS Project assisted in registering their companies.

    Others present during the visit are: Chidozie Onyedikachi, Mrs Eucharia Nonye Osakwe (Financial Management Specialist)
    Dr. Salisu Garba (Project Operations Manager) Jummai Hashima (National Projects Accountant) and Alhaji Bukar Mussa (Director PCU-FMARD)

  • Gov Otu Calls On Citizens, CSOs To Report Irregular Appointments And Promotions

    Gov Otu Calls On Citizens, CSOs To Report Irregular Appointments And Promotions

    The Cross River State governor, Sen Bassey Edet Otu has enjoined citizens and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) to report complaints on irregular appointments and promotions in the State.

    This was contained in a press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche, dated June 29, 2023, the public, particularly personnel and establishments who have issues bordering on irregular appointments and promotions, are requested to submit their written complaints to the committee set up.

    Governor Otu said such complaints are to be forwarded to the office of the Permanent Secretary, Conflict Resolution Department in the Governor’s Office, Calabar.

    The release reads: “Following the constitution of a committee for the revalidation of appointments/promotions and other sundry matters in the Cross State Civil/Public Service by the Governor, His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, the public, particularly personnel and establishments who have issues bordering on irregular appointments and promotions, are requested to submit their written complaints to the committee.

    “Such complaints or information are to be forwarded to the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Conflict Resolution Department, top floor of the Governor’s Office, Calabar.

    “Also, electronic messages should be forwarded to this email: [email protected]

    “All representations on the subject matter should be submitted on or before Tuesday, July 4, 2023.”

  • Support Groups Celebrates Gov Bassey Otu, Deputy

    Support Groups Celebrates Gov Bassey Otu, Deputy

    APC Support Groups in Cross River State have held a victory celebration in honor of the Governor of the State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, following the recent resounding election victory in March.

    Speaking at the event which held at the Dome in the Calabar Municipal Council Premises, the Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey thanked the support groups for their resilience stating that although the candidates in the election could not be in every street and every village, the support groups were everywhere to secure victory at the grassroots. He pledged that the supporters will never regret their support of this mandate as the people-first agenda will surely be fulfilled, assuring them of his track record as a people-oriented leader from his time as Member of House of Representatives, Senator and now Governor.

    The Governor assured the supporters that this was indeed the beginning of the season of sweetness because in this era, no one will be left behind, instead the hard work of supporters will be rewarded as exemplified by the few well-considered appointments that have already been made.

    In his opening remark, the Chairman of the occasion, High Chief, Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong, appreciated the organizing committee and recognized the physically challenged and all those who had taken great risks for what they believed in. He said the celebration was a sign of victory amongst the major APC Support Groups in the State. He encouraged all to stand firm for what they believe in because hitting the ground running might often involve being dropped into muddy ground which will take time to get moving. He assured the audience that their expectations from the government will come to pass given the pedigree of the Governor.

    Prof. Etim Nyong said the efforts of the various support groups at the grassroots levels expanded the victory of the party and that though every individual might not benefit directly, the various communities will all benefit. Speaking, further, Prof. Nyong said the state hand moved from the era of food on the table to that of product on the table. Concluding, he warned that in 2027, the APC will not be preaching ‘Back to South’ as it would be expected that we should leverage on this 4-year opportunity we now have.

    Dr. Bassey Ekpenyong, who delivered the keynote address at the event suggested that for the new administration to achieve its set objectives, certain features of good governance must be considered. Expressing confidence in Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu who had long distinguished himself through his contributions to charity and humanitarian efforts, Dr. Ekpenyong said the Governor Ben Ayade government had provided an industrial drive which would be the foundation for the Senator Bassey Otu government to build on.

    Speaking at the event, the Secretary to the State Government thanked the support groups and praised the character of the Governor, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu.

    Highlights of the event included musical perfomances, cutting of cake, unveiling of the victory gift and goodwill messages by supporters.

  • Let’s Pray Hard For Governor Otu, If We Don’t, Then We May Have Moved From Frying Pan To Fire BY AGBA JALINGO

    Let’s Pray Hard For Governor Otu, If We Don’t, Then We May Have Moved From Frying Pan To Fire BY AGBA JALINGO

    Let’s Pray Hard For Governor Otu…

    If we don’t, then we may have moved from frying pan to fire.

    First, the Anti-Deforestation committee is populated by timber thieves who are emotionally blackmailing him with “na we work for your election.”

    Lease agreement for Cally Aircraft, signed with a company that has no business whatsoever with aviation.

    And now, the vehicle recovery task force is being emasculated. Out of 500 missing vehicles, they have recovered 49. Most of the appointees in the former government that are being trailed by the task force members are so angry and have resorted to seeking the former Governor’s intervention. And now they are again, emotionally blackmailing the new governor with his pending matter in the election petition tribunal.

    It’s like “You want to embarrass members of the last government right? Your government we worked hard to install? We will embarrass you at the tribunal and you will lose the seat.” That’s the drama playing out.

    So everyone the task force tracks a vehicle to now, they make calls and the new governor is like, “please let that one be for now.”

    Who wan lose governor seat?

    Several vehicles have been tracked to different locations across the State and even as far as Lagos. One was even recovered in Ikoyi, Lagos and seized with the help of operatives of the DSS. But phone calls to the Governor have made nonsense of all those commendable efforts.

    My people, it may well be said that the assignment of that task force may have shared premature grace, unless Governor Otu, can damn the subtle blackmails, fund the committee adequately, stop interfering to hamper their operations and give them a free hand to move on all those involved.

    God please, don’t let us enter another one chance.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

  • Otu Flags Off 2023 Insecticidal Treated Nets Mass Campaign, First Round Of Maternal Newborn And Child Health Week

    Otu Flags Off 2023 Insecticidal Treated Nets Mass Campaign, First Round Of Maternal Newborn And Child Health Week

     

    The Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu, today officially flagged off the 2023 Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) Mass Distribution Campaign and First Round of Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) at Channel View Hotels, Calabar. This biannual campaign aims to reduce child mortality by combating malaria in pregnant women and newborns, ensuring that each household possesses Insecticide Treated Nets (ITNs) as a protective measure against malaria-carrying mosquitoes.

    The integration of the Insecticide Treated Net campaign with the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) guarantees that expectant mothers and newborns in Cross River State have access to a comprehensive range of health services. These services include immunizations, postnatal and prenatal care, family planning, counseling on nutrition, and other essential healthcare provisions.

    About 2.9 million ITNs will be distributed across 1027 designated points in the state, encompassing churches, schools, health centers, and other designated locations. Therefore, all parents and pregnant women are strongly advised to visit these designated locations to receive their ITNs.

    During his address, the Governor, represented by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, emphasized the severity of malaria as an ongoing public health challenge. He stated that, “Malaria as we all know is a monster that has been living with us for a very long time. Today, as we speak someone where is dying of malaria. If we don’t take responsibility, no one will do it.” The Governor stressed that the success of the campaign relies not only on the distribution of ITNs but also on the conscientious utilization of these nets by every expectant mother and child for a healthier future in Cross River State.

    In her speech, the wife of the Cross River State Governor, Her Excellency, Rev. Mrs. Eyoawan Edet Otu, graciously accepted her role as the Net Ambassador for Cross River State. She pledged to “be the role model for correct and consistent usage of ITNs, and will strive to mobilize support in providing an enabling environment for malaria programmes to be implemented”.

    The event was graced by the presence of the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), a major donor agency, and its implementing partners, including UNICEF, USAID, and WHO. Also in attendance were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, the Head of Service, Mr. Timothy Akwaji, and many other dignitaries.

    Highlights of the ceremony included the symbolic presentation of an ITN to the Deputy Governor for distribution, the investiture of Rev. Mrs. Eyoawan Bassey Otu as the Cross River State Net Ambassador, a net hang-up demonstration by the Demand Team, and captivating traditional dance performances.

  • Now Is The Time To Focus On The Future Of Cross River State BY DOMINIC KIDZU

    Now Is The Time To Focus On The Future Of Cross River State BY DOMINIC KIDZU

    NOW IS THE TIME TO FOCUS ON THE FUTURE OF CROSS RIVER STATE

    Now that we have gotten over the emotional part of elections and have arguably lost some and won some, the time is ripe for us all to focus more objectively on the future of our state and less on our party, our brother, our friend. For any man who sets up a big company and decides to hand it over to his brother or club mate rather than to an experienced and capable manager will surely find his company in ruination and distress in the end.

    Luckily for us, we are only about to wake up from about eight years of agnatic kinship style of governance and the tyranny of cousins, with the elite deck magically restacked in less than a decade through exclusive patronage by the sovereign and the stuffed turtles hidden beneath the vinear of loyalty. The people have suffered greatly under the Egyptian captivity and the time has now come for their inexorable liberation.

    And now that it looks like Grigori Rasputin is set to leave the Winter Palace in Leningrad, the search for the new occupant must be deliberate and dispassionate, to find the right man for the job of clearing out the closet
    and cleaning up the Augean stable. These are truly uncertain days during which the citizens will hold their breath for two weeks, afrighted by the ghost of Banquo and the squamish feeling of de javu, uncertain still about the certainty of their own redemption or a darker, impending season ahead. As Achebe puts it so succinctly, ‘it is morning yet on creation day’.

    Unfortunately, politics is too divisive and self interest propelled to allow for clear-headed thinking and decision making even on a consequential subject matter such as this one. Having handed over our collective destiny and patrimony to different manner of leaders over the past twenty-three years, it should be concerning to us as a people and as a state who becomes Governor from May 29, 2023. The sheer weight of this period invites us to think deeply and make a dispassionate decision for our dear state and for ourselves.

    We don’t need a continuation of the nightmare of the last eight years in any guise or form. We don’t need a sectional leader whose allegiance will be to his tribe because it is their turn. Their turn to do what? Their turn to chop? That is not what we need as a state at this time. We don’t need the reign of Obudu mafia to be replaced by the reign of the Efik mafia. We need a Governor for all the people whose claim to the exalted office is based on his own self conviction that he is capable and ready to offer the best of himself in service for the good of all the people.

    Cross River State and it’s people have suffered enough, endured enough and sacrificed enough. We cannot afford to make another mistake. Right now we have gone down so deep that we need an elevator to bring us up to the ground floor. We can no longer allow sentiments, rather than our heads to determine our choices because eight years from May 2023 can be a long walk in the scorching sand of the Kalahari desert, when we could so easily have chosen the short road to the brook and the glory of our land.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Dominic Kidzu, and does not represent TheLumineNews or its staff

  • Court Sets November 24th For Judgment On Suit Seeking Disqualification Of Cross River APC Guber And Deputy Guber Candidates

    Court Sets November 24th For Judgment On Suit Seeking Disqualification Of Cross River APC Guber And Deputy Guber Candidates

    By Jonathan Ugbal, CrossRiverWatch

    Justice Rosemary Dugbo Oghoghorie of the Calabar Division of the Federal High Court has reserved November 24, 2022, to deliver judgment on a suit by the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and its Cross River guber candidate, Senator Sandy Onoh seeking the disqualification of the guber and deputy guber candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the 2023 general elections.

    The date was agreed upon by all parties after they adopted their processes during the hearing on Tuesday. The APC, her guber and deputy guber candidates – Senator Bassey Otu and Honorable Peter Odey as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, are listed as first, second, third, and fourth defendants respectively in the pre-election matter with suit number FHC/CA/CS/142/2022.

    The Argument

    The Plaintiffs, via their lead counsel, Mba E. Ukweni SAN while adumbrating after adopting their processes, said two key points formed the gamut of their originating summons. The first was that one needed to be a member of a political party to be fielded as a candidate and the second was that the third defendant has taken the oath of allegiance to the United Kingdom which questions his loyalty to Nigeria.

    He urged the Court not to allow the shifting position of the first defendant who denied the third defendant in their affidavit filed in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/976/2021 whose judgment is now a live appeal matter and is now claiming that he is a member of their party. Furthermore, he urged the Court to grant their prayers, especially on the fact that the first defendant will be deemed to have fallen short of the requirements to participate in the 2023 general elections as what affects the third defendant, impacts his ticket with the second defendant.

    The counsel to the first defendant, Essien H. Andrew SAN prayed the court to grant their preliminary objection which was raised on points of law on the fact that party membership was an internal affair and that the plaintiffs lacked the locus standi since the Electoral Act 2022 did not contemplate the action they filed and as they have not said the fourth defendant failed in carrying out its responsibility.

    On the merit of the originating summons, he argued that the plaintiff was alleging forgery and pointed out that when a crime is alleged in civil procedures, the burden to prove is on the plaintiff which he said the plaintiff has tried to shift to the defendants. He prayed the Court to dismiss the suit.

    Benson Igbanor Esq. who led the argument of the second and third defendants, said they filed a motion of notice to strike out the suit and on the merits of the case, argued that the plaintiff did not controvert the issue of citizenship by birth which is the Constitutional requirement. He said the Oath of allegiance did not detract from the issue of citizenship by birth which confers the third defendant, the right to contest.

    He argued that the process commenced wrongly as the Supreme Court had last Friday held that when hostile pre-election matters with elements of the crime were brought forwards, the best way to commence such a suit was by Writ of Summons. The Court also granted his prayer to file an additional list of authorities to guide the Court.

    The Counsel to the fourth defendant, Matthew Ogwuocha Esq in his submissions averred that Section 28 subsection 1 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as altered had addressed the issue of citizenship by birth which he said the plaintiff have not controverted.

    On membership, he submitted that the fourth defendant does not go beyond the administrative scrutiny of the political parties and that the first defendant complied with relevant positions of the Electoral Act which means the fourth defendant has no option other than to accept the second and third defendants as the nominated candidates. He urged the Court to dismiss the suit.

    In their response on points of law, counsel to the plaintiff submitted that the practice direction of the Court guides the commencement of a suit and prayed the Court to discountenance the Supreme Court judge whose authority was not cited.

    On Locus, Ukweni SAN submitted that there are provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 as amended that make the fourth defendant a clearing house and when weighed with the third schedule of the Constitution, grants the plaintiff’s locus.

    On the issue of waiver to swearing an oath of allegiance by the third defendant, he submitted that it was an exception and specific to the third defendant, hence the onus lies on him to prove that he never swore an oath of allegiance but was granted a waiver.

    Furthermore, he argued that the plaintiff never raised an issue of forgery or perjury, but they relied on the documents submitted and deposed to by the first and third defendants which they also accepted to rely on