The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Asaba, Delta State has dismissed the petitions brought before it by Labour Party’s Ken Pela and Chief Kenneth Gbagi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for their inability to prove their allegations of voting amongst others.
The duo in their various petitions had sought the disqualification of Oborevweri of the PDP for overvoting, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, eligibility among forged documents and other prayers in the March 18, 2023 governorship elections.
Delivering the judgement on the LP petition, the three-man panel led by Justice C.H. Ahuchaogu ruled that the petitioner was unable to prove his case of irregularities pleaded. upholding that the PDP governorship candidate, Oborevwori won the election.
The court of appeal in Abuja had earlier faulted the tribunal for dismissing Mr. Pela’s petition due to the non-filing of pre-hearing notice within seven days from the date of lodging the petition.
It therefore ordered the Asaba panel to retry the petition.
On the SDP petition, the tribunal described the petition as a waste of time and a busybody.
Meanwhile, Gbagi described the judgement as a miscarriage of justice, insisting that he would exhaust every legal process available to him.
Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Kenneth Orusi, shortly after the tribunal dismissed his petition Gbagi said:
“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 judgement”.
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