REACTION TO TRIBUNAL JUDGEMENT
I received the judgement of the Tribunal with great shock.
Particularly worrisome is the aspect bordering on the Tribunal’s decision that as Respondent, I ought to have filed a cross-petition to be able to challenge votes in an election petition.
I feel strongly that, that decision is contrary to Paragraph 15 of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2022. As a matter of fact, I presented before the Tribunal through my team of lawyers a decision of the Appellate Courts which held that a Respondent does not need to file a cross-petition to challenge votes in an election petition, if the ground for challenging the election is “majority of lawful votes”.
While I am waiting for my team of lawyers to give me full details on the judgment, I urge all my supporters to be calm and peaceful as their mandate is not lost.
I verily know that I have option of Appeal to the Court of Appeal which I shall exercise after due consultation with my lawyers.
I am confident that we shall triumph at the next floor of justice by pointing to areas where we strongly disagree with the ruling. Your mandate shall be protected.
I urge my supporters not to be disturbed but to believe that we will get it right.
– Senator Sadiku Abubakar Ohere
Sept 6, 2023