VAM News Update

THE governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Asaba, the Delta State Capital on Friday dismissed the petition brought before it by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege.

It would be recalled that Sen. Omo-Agege had challenged the victory of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Sheriff Oborevwori in the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

The tribunal presided over by Justice A.C. Ahuchaogu dismissed Omo-Agege’s petition for lack of merit.

In a swift reaction in a statement by Sunny Areh, his media adviser, Omo-Agege said he will appeal the dismissal of his petition by the election tribunal.

He noted that he had detailed his legal team to proceed to the Appellate Court to challenge the tribunal judgement.

Omo-Agege said the appellate court is expected to dispassionately evaluate some flaws which were allegedly ignored by the tribunal judges before arrival at their verdict.

“The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has directed his legal team to immediately proceed with an appeal against today’s judgment of the governorship election tribunal that upheld the election of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as governor of Delta State.

“Senator Omo-Agege said the Tribunal failed to reckon with the fundamental flaws in the March 18, 2023 governorship election that mortally rendered the declaration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner untenable.

“It is a no-brainer that the Tribunal operated under a very challenging environment. It therefore ignored the unassailable evidence adduced to question the validity of lawful votes as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“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.”