By Margaret John: House of Assembly Correspondent and Efa Sunday
The candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party for the position of the member representing the Yakurr/Abi federal constituency in the February 23, 2019 polls, Mr. John Lebo has said that he will only congratulate the winner of the elections, Mr. Alex Egbonna of the All Progressives Congress if the Appeal Court upholds his victory.
Lebo who is the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, told CrossRiverWatch in an exclusive interview on Wednesday that he had found some irregularities in the process that led to the declaration of Mr. Egbonna as winner and the subsequent presentation of a certificate of return to him.
“I didn’t lose that election. Anybody who understands the meaning of election should understand that there are processes involved, which starts with voter registration and ends with the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
“I have done my appraisal and I have seen some of the errors involved in the process and I am challenging the process in Court. When people push me to the wall and they expect me not to challenge the process, then that person must be a joker.”
On congratulating Mr. Egbonna, Mr. Lebo averred that: “As a lawyer and a child of God, the only way to fight is through God and Justice, and that justice can only be given by God. I am contesting the process in court, but if the judgement of the court favors him (Egbonna), then I can congratulate him, but until then, I’m still actively in the race.”
It will be recalled that Mr. Lebo said he, alongside eight members of the 25 man House of Assembly had decided against returning to the House in order to give room for others to contribute to the State’s development.
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