OVIE OMO-AGEGE, GBAGI AND PELA TO KNOW FATE AS DELTA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION TRIBUNAL SETS JUDGMENT DATE FOR SEPTEMBER 29

 

The Delta State Governorship election petition tribunal is scheduled to announce its judgment on September 29, in response to the petitions contesting Sheriff Oborevwori's victory. Sheriff Oborevwori, representing the PDP, was declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election in the State by the Independent National Election Commission.

However, dissatisfaction with the election outcome prompted three political parties, namely the APC, SDP, and LP, to file separate petitions with the tribunal in an effort to nullify Oborevwori's victory. Gbagi, one of the petitioners, argued that both Sheriff Oborevwori and Ovie Omo-Agege were ineligible to run for the Governorship. Notably, many of Gbagi's claims pertained to pre-election matters.

Ken Pela, representing the LP, raised concerns about Sheriff Oborevwori's eligibility, non-compliance with electoral law during the March 18 election, and the validity of the majority of lawful votes. 

Ovie Omo-Agege, of the APC, focused on substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act, particularly regarding over-voting and the failure to accredit voters using BVAS in all the polling units won by Sheriff Oborevwori and the PDP.

Throughout Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR case, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Respondents, namely INEC, Sheriff Oborevwori, and the PDP, somewhat conceded to the Petitioners' arguments by failing to strongly deny or refute specific paragraphs of the Petition. In these paragraphs, the Petitioners had made allegations of over-voting, voter disenfranchisement, and the non-use or bypassing of BVAS.

In legal terms, when a party does not adequately deny specific claims made against them, those claims are deemed admitted and require no further proof.

Access to the Court premises will be strictly regulated through accreditation. Only accredited individuals, including legal counsel and representatives of political parties, will be permitted entry into the Courtroom.