How I was elected despite suffering defeat in my unit, ward, LGA – Senator

The Senator representing Cross River South, Gershom Bassey, has admitted that although he won the election, he was roundly defeated in his unit, ward and local government area.

Mr. Bassey (PDP) gave the testimony when he appeared before the National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Calabar.

Bassey Otu of Labour Party had challenged his election as the winner of the March 28 polls in the senatorial district.

The respondent told the tribunal during cross examination that he lost the senatorial elections in his unit, ward and Odukpani Local Government Area to the LP candidate in the 2015 National Assembly polls.

Mr. Bassey, who was cross examined by Essien Andrew, Counsel to Mr. Otu, said that but for results from Biase and Akamkpa, he would have lost the election.

He also told the tribunal that he holds the West African School Certificate as indicated in INEC form CF001.

But the broad sheet from Federal Government College, Sokoto, exhibited before the tribunal indicated that Mr. Bassey had a General Certificate of Education.

Mr. Bassey under cross examination said he graduated in 1977 from Federal Government College, Sokoto.

He also told the tribunal that he did not collect his certificate from the college and that his certificate was burnt by fire at about 1983.

He told the tribunal that in another case at the Federal High Court, where he had testified, he had stated that his certificate and that of others were burnt in his Alma Mata in 1986.

An official from Federal Government College, Sokoto, Sani Mohammed, who testified earlier at the tribunal, said that Mr. Bassey’s certificate was among others burnt in 1983.

A letter from the West African Examination Council to the Company Secretary of Cross River State Water Board where Mr. Bassey was employed was also displayed as an exhibit at the tribunal.

It indicated that Mr. Bassey had a GCE and not WASC.

The tribunal Chairman, Justice Christopher Awubra, adjourned the case to September 29 for submission of written addresses by the parties.

The PDP and LP supporters, who thronged the court as early as 7.45 a.m., were prevented by the police from entering the court premises.

(NAN)