September 29, (THEWILL) – The Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, has struck out the petition brought before it by the immediate past Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the March 18th gubernatorial election in the State.
A three-member panel of the Tribunal, chaired by Justice C.H. Ahuchaogu, dismissed the petition filed against the election victory of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his deputy, Monday Onyeme, for lacking merit.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Oborevwori winner of the March 18th gubernatorial poll after he polled 360,234 votes to beat his closest rival, Omo-Agege who scored 240,229 votes. Ken Pela of the Labour Party, who secured 48,047 votes, Great Ogboru of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) who scored 11,021 votes and Kenneth Gbagi polled 4,639 votes.
Omo-Agege, former minister of state for education, Gbagi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Pela of the Labour Party (LP), had approached the tribunal, seeking to invalidate the victory of Governor Oborevwori.
In their separate prayers, the petitioners urged the Justice Ahuchaogu”s led Panel to nullify the return of Oborevwori, on the ground that he and his deputy, Onyeme, were not qualified as at the time of the election.
They also contended that there was non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 as amended, as well as the 2023 electoral guidelines in the conduct of the guber poll.
The petitioners who alleged over voting, argued that Oborevwori did not score the majority of lawful votes during the election.
Ruling on Omo-Agege’s Petition on Friday, the Justice Ahuchaogu’s led Tribunal affirmed Oborevwori and his deputy, Onyeme duly elected governors.
The tribunal, which described the petition as speculative, held that it contained unsubstantiated allegations, which are devoid of merit.
