Brass—The immediate past federal lawmaker representing Brass-Nembe Federal Constituency, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli has congratulated his opponent and the incumbent, Hon. Marie Ebikake following the recent judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal, delivered on Tuesday which upheld the latter’s victory in the 2023 House of Representatives election.
Sunny-Goli who elected against appealing the ruling of the Elections Petitions Tribunal disclosed that his decision to concede defeat was informed by his desire to not be a stumbling block to the progress of the constituency by embroiling the incumbent in a long legal battle, citing his own ‘unsettling’ experience in 2019.
This was contained in a statement he signed and issued on Thursday.
He said, “After thoughtfully assessing the recent judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal, delivered on Tuesday, 12th September 2023, which upheld the victory of my opponent in the February 23rd 2023 House of Representatives election, for the Brass-Nembe Federal Constituency, Hon. Marie Ebikake, and the impediment añ prolonged legal tussle poses to the development of our constituency, I have arrived at the conclusion that it is best to accept the decision of the Elections Petitions Tribunal and not go on to appeal its decision.
“My decision is predicated on my personal experience after the 2019 election, wherein I was dragged before the Election Petition Tribunal and the court of appeal respectively by my opponent, who happens to be the same Hon. Ebikake.
“Without mincing words, I must admit that the legal tussle was unsettling and distractive, and I sincerely do not wish to be a clog in the wheel of progress for the very people I seek to serve, by stretching this legal tussle beyond the Election Petition Tribunal.
“It is on this note that I congratulate Hon. Marie Ebikake on her victory in the February 2023 House of Representatives election, as well as the favourable judgement she got against me from the Election Petition Tribunal.
“I look forward to seeing her bring the dividends of democracy to our people as she settles down to the business of representing them in the National Assembly.”
The ex-federal lawmaker urged his supporters to be calm and hopeful, assuring them that it is not the end of his political career as the future holds for him a better prospect even more than what he has achieved in the past.
“I implore you to remain calm and hopeful, as this is only a temporary setback in our political voyage and we shall bounce back from it bigger, stronger and better.
“A new chapter with greater prospect awaits us, and soon, we shall have a reason to be thankful for the benevolence of God towards us.
“Thank you, and God bless you all for your unrelenting support and followership,” the statement added.
