The supreme court has upheld the election of Ben Ayade of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governor of Cross Rivers state.
Joe Agi, who came second in the party’s December 2014 primary, had asked the court to sack Ayade over false declaration of age. Agi also contested that Ayade was not a bona fide member of the PDP.
However, the panel of justices held on Friday that Agi and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) could not prove the allegation against the governor.
The judgement, which was read by Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, said Agi could not even differentiate between the false document and the original, which was not good enough to make a case.
The panel agreed with Ayade that the difference in his age declaration occurred due to the urgency needed to fill out his forms.
The justices said Section 147 of the 1999 constitution as amended put the required age at 35 for governor, adding that if he used 1968 or 1969 he had already met the requirement to hold the office.
On whether Ayade was a bonafide member of the PDP, the justices held that it was solely a party issue.
The panel said until the party violates its constitution, the court would not interfere.
“Case of falsification without identifying the original from the fake is not good enough,” she said. “I endorse the the judgement of the lower court, which affirmed the decision of the lower court.”
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10 comments
prof Ben Ayade congrat. Come and continue your good work in cross River state.
Everybody should move on in the interest of Cross River state.
Come my boss and pay and take cross river ahead
Welcome Boss we need you back in Cross River State. More Grace and God Bless you.
my dear governor congrat.pls come and continue your wonderful job to your people.
Congrats My Amiable Prof., The Love & Good Heart U Have For Yala People, Their Prayers Alone Will Not Let God Fail You, Come And Continue Ur Good Work, Once Again, Congrat Senior!
Digital governor, shoki dancer, pls don’t mind the enemies they are not enough to pull you down. come and continue your good work we are waiting to see you do the shoki dance steps at calabar carnival this year. Much Love
my governor! my governor!! no tribunal fashioned against u shall ever ever prosper bcus u must accomplish GOD’S mind for all cross riverians. congrats sir contineu ur good works n God bless u real good sir i luv u personally
Congrats my Prof you are. A blessings to the people of cross river state continue with your good works God almighty will see you through Amen
Your comment..dats our pro