Bayelsa APC Representative concedes defeat and thanks PDP opponent

The demand to file an appeal against the Election Petition Tribunal was denied by Sunny-Goli.

Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli, a former member of the Federal House of Representatives, has agreed to the Election Petition Tribunal’s decision upholding the election of Hon. Marie Ebikake as a representative for the state’s Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency on February 25, 2023.

In addition, Sunny-Goli praised PDP candidate Ebikake and refused to challenge the Election Petition Tribunal. Sunny-Goli declared he will not continue in a statement released on Thursday in Yenagoa.

“After considering the recent decision of the Election Petition Tribunal, handed down on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, which upheld the victory of my opponent in the February 25, 2023, House of Representatives election, Hon. Marie Ebikake, and the obstacle a protracted legal squabble poses to the development of our constituency, I have come to the conclusion that it is best to accept the decision of the Tribunal and not pursue an appeal.

“My decision is based on my personal experience following the 2019 election, in which I was brought before the Election Petition Tribunal and the court of appeal, respectively, by my opponent, who also happens to be the same Hon. Ebikake,” he claimed. Without sugarcoating it, I have to say that the legal dispute was disturbing and distracting, and I really don’t want to stifle progress for the very individuals I’m trying to help by taking this dispute outside of the Election Petition Tribunal.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Hon. Marie Ebikake on her victory in the House of Representatives election in February 2023 as well as the favourable decision the Election Petition Tribunal rendered against me.

“As she gets down to the business of representing our people in the National Assembly, I look forward to seeing her bring the dividends of democracy to our people.”

“Let me use this opportunity to inspire both my supporters and followers. The future holds for us prospects that are better than anything we may have accomplished during the course of our political journey, therefore this is by no means the conclusion of our political dreams.

We will overcome this momentary setback in our political journey by bouncing back even bigger, stronger, and better, therefore I beg you to maintain your composure and optimism. We are about to begin a new chapter with more hope, and soon we will have cause to give thanks to God for his kindness towards us.