By Our Correspondent
The Cross River State Election Petition Tribunal yesterday also affirmed the election of the Member representing Obudu/Obanlikwu/Bekwara Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon.Legor Idagbo.
In the judgement delivered by its Chairman, Justice I.W. Jawuro, the Tribunal ruled that the Labor party candidate, Dr. Godwin Amanke had failed to discharge the burden of proof placed upon him as petitioner
Therefore “accordingly the declaration by INEC that the 1st respondent, Hon Legor Idagbo, is the winner of the March 28, 2015 House of Representatives election for Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku is hereby upheld.”
Dr. Amanke who lost the March 28th election to Hon. Legor had claimed in his petition before the tribunal that Hon Idagbo was not qualified to contest the election at the time of the election.
He argued that the election was marred by corrupt practices and did not comply with the provisions of the electoral act.
He further alleged that Hon. Legor was a Governorship aspirant of the PDP at the time, and that he did not take part in all the processes leading to the primaries for Members of the House of Representatives.
But in the judgment, the tribunal held that Dr. Amanke is not a member of the PDP and therefore lacks the “locus standi to interfere in the business of another political party.”
It further held that the question of who a political party decides to field as candidate in an election is an internal affair of the party which is outside the purview of the Tribunal.