Gershom Bassey: certainly not popular at home

Nigerian Senator Gershom Bassey of the Peoples Democratic Party  has testified that although he won the election,  he roundly lost in his unit, ward and local government area.

Bassey (PDP-Cross River South) gave the testimony when he testified at 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.

Bassey, who was cross examined by Mr Essien Andrew, Counsel to the petitioner, 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 Bassey had a General Certificate of Education (GCE).

Bassey Otu: claims victory in the poll

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.

Mr Sani Mohammed, an official from Federal Government College, Sokoto, who testified earlier at the tribunal, said that Bassey’s certificate and those of others were burnt in 1983.

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

It indicated that Bassey had a GCE and not WASC.

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

Petitioners, journalists and others were searched by security operatives before they entered the courtroom.

PDP and LP supporters, who thronged the court as early as 7.45 a.m, were prevented from entering the court premises by a detachment of armed policemen.