By Joseph ETTA in Calabar
The bad blood generated in the course of the March 9, 2019 governorship election in cross river state between Gov. Ben Ayade and Senator John Owan Enoh, and which led to severe legal fire power at the Election Petition Tribunal may now be waning as the Senator, penultimate week, formally withdrew from appealing the tribunal judgment thereby causing Ayade to heave a sigh of relief.
Recall that the tribunal had given judgment in favor of the Governor, a situation, Owan Enoh and his party, the All Progressive Congress, rejected and vowed to appeal the judgement.
But, in a press statement made available to journalists in Calabar, personally signed by the Senator and titled ‘My Decision to End the Legal Tussle on Governorship Election Petition’, Enoh said “after a deep personal reflection in addition to consulting with largely other candidates of our party who approached the Elections Petition Tribunal, I’ve arrived at the hard decision not to proceed to the court of Appeal with our governorship election petition.
“As you are well aware, the ruling of the State Governorship Election Tribunal was clearly at variance with the tenable evidence presented by our legal team. from the outset, our vision was to offer the much-desired service to the masses of our people and proffer solutions to a myriad of their problems. unfortunately, the tribunal decided to wear blinders to concrete facts and truth.
“Having appraised our position on the matter going forward, I’ve chosen to put an end to the legal tussle. On that note, I’ve accepted the unpleasant judgment and decided to put the past behind me as I look forward to a brighter political future in the years ahead. I wish to, therefore, call on my teeming supporters and members of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) across the length and breadth of the State to honour my decision in the circumstance.
“In the same vein, I would implore all of you to remain calm and law-abiding as you have always been. I must confess that your support and resilience have taken me thus far and I pledge to continue to work with all of you as we content for a better Cross River State. What I have is nothing but love and kindness in my heart for you and the entire State.
“Given the controversial disposition of INEC in the build-up to the election and the conduct of its personnel, I wish to state unequivocally, that my decision not to go on appeal should not be seen as an acceptance of the flawed organization of the election. That said, I wish to urge all my supporters to join the Honorable Minister and other leaders of our party in rebuilding the party and healing of any political rift.’
