The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, seated in Delta State’s capital, Asaba, delivered a ruling on Friday, rejecting the petitions filed by Ovie Omo-Agege (APC), Kenneth Gbagi (SDP), and Ken Pela (LP) against the election victory of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Omo-Agege, Gbagi, and the LP took their grievances to the tribunal, where they aimed to have PDP’s Oborevweri disqualified in connection with the March 18, 2023, governorship elections. Their claims encompassed allegations of overvoting, violations of the Electoral Act, questions surrounding eligibility, and the use of forged documents, among other concerns.
Justice C.H. Ahuchaogu and the two other members of the panel, in their verdict, confirmed the election victory of Oborevwori, the PDP’s candidate.
Ahuchaogu dismissed the petitions of former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege for lack of merit, saying “the APC and his candidate could not prove the case of overvoting and noncompliance of the Electoral Act.
The tribunal, in reference to the SDP petition, labelled it as an unproductive exercise and described Gbagi’s involvement as unnecessary, noting that he faced no penalties.
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In the third judgment concerning the LP petition, Ahuchaogu dismissed the petition filed by LP and Ken Pela, asserting that they had not succeeded in proving their case regarding irregularities.
On the other hand, Omo-Agege and Gbagi have expressed their disagreement with the tribunal’s verdict, stating that they have instructed their legal team to initiate the appeals process.
Omo-Agege said in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Sunny Areh, shortly after the judgement said, ‘The tribunal failed to reckon with the fundamental flaws in the March 18, 2023 governorship election that mortally rendered the declaration of the PDP as the winner untenable.’
‘I respect the decision of the tribunal, but it is flawed. I have no doubt that these flaws which the Tribunal failed to address will be dispassionately evaluated at the Court of Appeal.’
‘I have, therefore, directed my legal team to immediately proceed to the Court of Appeal and continue with the fight to restore the sanctity of the people’s vote’.
He made this statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Kenneth Orusi, immediately following the tribunal’s dismissal of his detailed 79-page petition.
‘The tribunal is the ultimate authority in the matter at the State level, the responsibility now rests with the Appeal Court, which I have confidence in.’
‘I urge Deltans to maintain their focus, steadfastness and commitment to peaceful processes. This matter has not yet reached its logical conclusion.’