MR. Liyel Imoke's tenure as Cross River State governor was terminated yesterday by the Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar which annulled his April 2007 election. Reason: non compliance of the election with the 2006 Electoral Act and gross irregularities during the polls.

Mr. Imoke responded swiftly to the verdict, saying: "As a law-abiding citizen, I will respect the rule of law and the constitution I swore to uphold."


His party, the People's Democratic Party (PDP), called the judgment a setback for the people.

Already, tension has gripped residents of Osogbo, Osun State where the state election tribunal will, today, deliver judgment in the petition filed by Mr. Rauf Aregbesola of Action Congress (AC) against the election of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

The situation is not different in Benue State where the people are awaiting the verdict of the Court of Appeal, Jos in the appeal filed by Senate President, Chief David Mark, over the invalidation of his election.

The All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) governorship candidate in Cross River State, Mr. Paul Ukpo; Progressive People's Alliance's Iheke Awah; African Renaissance Party; Mr. James Ebri; and the Action Congress (AC) had taken Mr. Imoke to the Election Petition Tribunal which upheld his victory. That was on January 23, 2008.

Dissatisfied with the verdict of the lower court, Mr. Ukpo proceeded to the Appeal Court arguing there was no election in the state and that there was non-compliance with the 2006 Electoral Act.

Justice Suleiman Galadima, in his three-hour judgment cited anomalies such as allocation of scores and non-presentation of result sheets at the polling booths. He also said the petitioners were not given a fair hearing by the lower court.

The Appeal Court asked Mr. Imoke to vacate office immediately and Speaker of the House of Assembly be sworn in with immediate effect as acting Governor. A fresh election is to be held within 90 days.

We're vindicated, Ukpo's counsel

Speaking, counsel to Mr Paul Ukpo, Mr. Felix Offia, said the judgment had vindicated his firm belief in the Nigerian judiciary. He said the judiciary had proved a point again, arguing that the fact that a fresh election had been called was a welcome development. He said it was appropriate for the two parties to go for a fresh election.

In his reaction, lead Counsel to Mr. Imoke, Mr. Joe Agi, said they were bound by the judgment of the Appeal Court and would prepare for a fresh election.

Before handing over, Governor Liyel Imoke issued a statement in which he expressed his willingness to abide by the decision of the Appeal Court.

I'll respect rule of law - Imoke

He said: "I Senator Liyel Imoke, Governor of Cross River State hereby acknowledge the verdict of the Electoral Appeal Tribunal delivered in Calabar today (yesterday), Monday, 14th July, 2008, nullifying my election of 14th April, 2007 as Governor of Cross River State.

"I wish to state categorically that as a law-abiding citizen, I will respect the rule of law and the constitution I swore to uphold.

"In the light of the judgment, I am handing over to the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly until a fresh election is held and an elected Governor subsequently sworn in.

"I appeal to all Cross Riverians to remain calm and go about their normal duties.

"Let me use this opportunity to thank all Cross Riverians for the immense support given to my administration within the past year and pray you extend the same to His Excellency, the acting Governor, the Rt. Hon. Francis Adah. Long Live Cross River State! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!

Great setback - PDP

His party, the People's Democratic Party (PDP), described the annulment of his election as a great setback for the people of the state.

The party also vowed to support its Governors and all elected officers on its platform across the country geared towards achieving their desires. The party in a statement signed in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary, Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali, said "the PDP expressed its shock and dismay over the annulment of the Cross River State Governorship election by the Court of Appeal.

This is a great setback for the people of Cross River State who have been yearning for development.

"The party will at both state and national levels swing into action by mobilising its supporters in the state in preparation for the re-run election, so that the PDP will recapture the state in order not to allow the ongoing projects to be stalled or stunted," he said.

The PDP, however, urged the people of the state to rally round Senator Liyel Imoke in the forthcoming re-run election to reclaim what it described as his mandate, adding: "The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should put in place all necessary modalities as an unbiased umpire for the re-run as it did in all previous bye-elections which earned her international commendations."


According to the party's spokesperson, the party viewed with satisfaction the two judgments delivered over the weekend by the Court of Appeal in Enugu that reaffirmed the victories of its Governorship and Senatorial candidates, Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, Martins Elechi of Ebonyi and Senator Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu East Senatorial Zone in the April 2007 elections.


allAfrica.com: Nigeria: Liyel Imoke Sacked (Page 1 of 2)

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Of course. E don tiff enough to last him two lifetimes.

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the bold are probably the best honorable words a politician ever uttered!!!

I wish the man in my state (Onyema Ugochukwu, Abia State) would have taken such a stance and left my town man Gov T.A. Orji to just rule in peace, instead of all the nonsense, appeal, sub-appeal, under-appeal, over-appeal etc! haba! All for baseless reasons!!!

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Maybe, but at least, he said NO, how many of the old bguffoons that refused to die are still sitting up there and thiefing money that even their 10th generations wont be able to finish? Check am now! Dis one gree to commot quietly, because hin fit still use all that hin money buy more time for power seat keh! No be naija?

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na wah person don lost ... so who is rulling ...... ugochukwu or orji......

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SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO SEE THE PLACE,GOD HAS CALLED YOU AS A PLACE OF BLESSING, BUT THATS WHEN YOU'VE GOT TO HOLD ON AND TRUST THE PROCESS
PEOPLE TEND TO DRAW OTHERS BACK FROM THINGS THEY SECRETLY WOULD HAVE LOVED TO DO BUT ARE NOT CAPABLE OR DARING ENOUGH TO DO
THEY WILL ALWAYS TALK BUT YOUR CHOICE IN WHO YOU LISTEN TO IS WHAT MATTERS......

So na true??

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..To the one who spoke and the galaxies leapt into existence....who can't be explained on a chalkboard but can be accessed through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.....whose word never returns to him void but accomplishes the purpose for which it is sent.....the one in whom I am complete.....the great I am...who was,who is and who is to come....
www.ifreke.blogspot.com

It still remains a fact that the speaker was installed by Imoke who already knows that PDP would move from Abuja to Calabar until Imoke returns as the Governor in the new election.

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IT IS BETTER TO DIE FOR A CAUSE THAT WOULD LIVE THAN TO LIVE FOR ONE THAT WOULD DIE

No result yet, tribunal post poned indefinitely, but ma people in govt house says Orji would win if all fairness and justice is applied cos Ugochukwu got nothing on him.

The annoying thing is that their villages are not even far apart!!! Ohuhu and Ibeku! Imagine!!!

I read a storyh in a newspaper here about how Ohuhus have been trying to kill the Ibeku man from the colonial era, even from Aguiyi-Ironsi, JOJ Okezie time.....my dear, there is more to the appeal from Ugochukwu than meets the eye. TA must remain on seat in Jesus Name! Amen!

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yes O. all over the news....

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Chei Naija politricks

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DO YOU KNOW ME?

T.A Orji's days are numbered. Assumed the position of the Gov while still the Chief of Staff of Orji Kalu. Was he not sworn in as the Gov before the swearing in date? Onyema Ugochukwu will assume his mandate and his four years will begin then.

TA Orji can't seem to get way from Orji Kalu and can't rise beyond him. He was forced to retain everybody that worked with Orji Kalu in the government house. Orji Kalu's junior brother is his Chief of Staff. When you can't change your driver what do expect to do on your own.

Orji Kalu didn't do anything in Abia State as we all know it, how do you then expect his stooge to do anything better.

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God first, family second and career third.
www.marykay.com/adanna

Na the best when played w/o harm. Na for night they de play politics and you go laugh tire. I don take eye see places for Arochukwu that I never knew existed.

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God first, family second and career third.
www.marykay.com/adanna

We wait, we see, abi? I wonder how Ugochukwu would ascend a seat that the election results clearly shows HE DID NOT WIN!!!

And if they end up with a re-election judgement, even though Ugochukwu is a PDP member, he is NOT on good terms with Ogbulafor (PDP Chairman) who also happens to be from Umuahia.......we wait, we see......................its politics!

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It doesn't necessarily follow that servants behave like their masters in politics.Chimaroke Nnamani installed Sullivan Chime but under a year,Enugu is working far better than it did under Nnammani's 8yrs as Governor.
Ngige moved away from Eselu(Christian Ubah)when he got into the government House Awka,and released Anambra from the grip of an illetrate charlattan that swims in money.
I think that it would be wrong for Onyema to assume office eventhough Orji is likely to be dismissed based on the technicalities you mentioned.However,PDP would want to use the oppurtunity to grab another south Eastern state to make it 3 from 5.The Ogbulafor quarrel with Orji not withstanding,Abuja would move to Umuahia till it is achieved.It would only take mounting pressure on Orji Kalu using EFCC,to distract his attention.

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IT IS BETTER TO DIE FOR A CAUSE THAT WOULD LIVE THAN TO LIVE FOR ONE THAT WOULD DIE