By Barth Ozah
Amid jubilation trailing the outcome of the election petition tribunal judgments affirming the election of Governor Sherriff Oborevwori of the People’s Democratic Party PDP in Delta State, the Integrity Group, the MORE ambassadors and You Matter Charity Foundation, has appealed to the candidates of opposition political parties, Senator Ovie Augustine Omo-Agege and Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, Mr. Ken Pela of All Progressives Congress APC, the Social Democratic Party SDP and the Labour Party respectively, to avoid the temptations of appealing the judgments.
Reacting to the tribunal judgements in an interview with journalists in Asaba, the Convener of Integrity Group, Dr. Oke Idawene, called on the opposition candidates, to be humbled by the tribunal judgments and congratulate governor Oborevwori for the interest of Delta state.
He noted that the election that brought governor Sherriff Oborevwori to power was free, fair and credible noting that the tribunal judgements were affirmation of the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC who conducted the elections, and the people of Delta state who overwhelmingly voted for the governor.
“Let me first of all thanked the almighty God for this painstaking judgments, though the judgments were not surprising because it was an elections were Oborevwori won 21 local government areas out of 25 LGAs. Many political analysts and indeed Deltans knew that their petitions were frivolous and the tribunal just confirmed that.
“So, I am appealing to the two candidates not to waste the resource of Deltans by attempting to appeal these judgments, after all, governor Sherriff Oborevwori has shown dexterity in handling his constitutional responsibilities as the governor of the state, he has remained focused in delivering the dividends of democracy as encapsulated in his MORE agenda.
“On behalf of the Integrity Group of Delta State, I congratulates our principal and leader, governor Sherriff Oborevwori, his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme and the PDP family for this sweet victories, it is victory for Deltans and MORE ambassadors.”
The State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal struck out for lacking in merits, the petitions brought before it by the candidates of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the Social Democratic Party SDP, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi and L.P., Ken Pela challenging the election of Governor Sheriff Oborevwor.
The three-member tribunal panel headed by Justice C.H. Ahuchaogu, in their judgments affirmed the return of Oborevwori as the winner of the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial election in the state.
The tribunal held that the petitioners failed to prove allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, corrupt practices beyond reasonable doubts.