Cross River Speaker, Francis Adah Sworn in as Acting Governor (15/7/08)

The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly Hon Francis Adah has been sworn in as the Acting Governor of the State by the Chief Judge of the State, His Lordship, Hon. Justice Dorothy Eyamba Idem following the nullification of the election of Senator Liyel Imoke as the Governor of the State.

Adah in his acceptance speech said he will hold office for three months until the rightful owner assumes office because Cross Riverians are aware of the circumstance surrounding his being sworn in as the Acting Governor, assuring that everything is under control and that they should go about their business.

The Acting Governor stressed that by the judgement, they have been asked to revalidate the mandate which the people had given, adding that they will go back to seek for their mandate and requested that they should be given same as before.

On the membership of the State Executive Council, he said that they will continue with their functions and move on the fast pace already set until he who has the position comes in.

Adah noted that though he was not happy with the outcome of the judgement, he believes in the rule of law.

The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Fidelis Ugbo in his introductory remarks, observed that the beauty of democracy is the observance of the rule of law as a few hours ago, the Appeal Court had annulled the election of Senator Liyel Imoke as the Governor of State and that Imoke had accepted the judgement because the rule of law is an aspect of democracy.

Ugbo noted that the judgement culminated in Adah being sworn in as the Acting Governor of the state.

Meanwhile, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has acknowledged the verdict of the electoral Appeal Tribunal delivered on Monday, nullifying his election of April 27, 2007 as Governor of the State.

In a Press Statement personally signed by him, Imoke stated categorically that as a law abiding citizen, he will respect the rule of law and the constitution he swore to uphold, emphasizing that “In the light of the judgement, I am handing lover to the Speaker of the Cross River State Housel of Assembly until fresh elections are held and an elected governor subsequently sworn in”.

Imoke appealed to all Cross Riverians to remain calm and go about their normal duties.

He also used the opportunity to thank all Cross Riverians for the immense support given to his Administration within the past year and prayed they extend to same to His Excellency, the Acting governor, the Rt. Hon. Francis Adah.

The Chairman of the Appeal Court Calabar District Justice Suleman Galadima in his ruling had faulted the election tribunal for not giving the applicants Mr.Mark Ukpo of ANPP, Emmanuel Ibeshi of AC, Pastor Iheke Awa Solomon of PPA and James Ebri of ARP fair hearing, as the conduct of the election did not comply with the provisions of section 191, Sub Section 2 of electoral Act, including non presentation of result sheets in the pooling booths.

Galadima therefore annulled the election of April 14, 2007 which Imoke won and ordered the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Francis Adah be sworn in as the Acting Governor of the State while a fresh election is expected to be conducted in 90 days.

Government House Press