The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the Delta State capital on Friday dismissed the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Ovie Omo-Agege, candidate of Social Democratic Party, Kenneth Gbagi and LP candidate, Ken Pela against the election of Governor Sheriff Oborevweri.
Omo-Agege, Gbagi and LP had approached the tribunal seeking the disqualification of Oborevweri of the PDP for overvoting, non-compliance with Electoral Act, eligibility among forged document others in the March 18, 2023 governorship elections.
The three-man panel led by Justice C.H. Ahuchaogu, while delivering the judgement, upheld that the PDP governorship candidate, Oborevwori won the election.
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.
On the SDP petition, the tribunal described the petition as a waste of time and busybody, asserting that Gbagi escaped fine.
Delivering its third judgement on the LP petition, Ahuchaogu also dismissed the petition brought by LP and its candidate Ken Pela for not able to prove their case on irregularities
Meanwhile, Omo-Agege, and Gbagi have rejected the tribunal’s judgement, saying that they have already directed their legal team to proceed to Appeal.
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”.
Gbagi on his part described the judgement as a miscarriage of justice, insisting that he would exhaust every legal process available to him.
He stated this through his Chief Press Secretary, Kenneth Orusi, shortly after the tribunal dismissed his 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.
“I have directed my legal team already to file an appeal against the tribunal’s decision,” he said.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
