Ovie Omo-Agege, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta state, has said that he will appeal the judgment of the Delta state governorship tribunal, dismissing his petition against the victory of Sheriff Oborevwori of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Sheriff Oborevwori, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the Delta state governorship election held on March 18 after scoring 360, 234 votes to defeat Omo-Agege who secured 240, 229 votes.
Aggrieved, the APC candidate and his party lodged a petition before the tribunal.
However, Justice Chibuzo Ahuchaogu-led three-man panel of the tribunal on Friday affirmed the election of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while dismissing the petition filed by Ovie Omo-Agege of the All ProgressivesCongress (APC), saying the petition lacked merit.
The tribunal also held that the petitioners failed to prove the allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act and corrupt practices beyond a reasonable doubt.
In a statement shortly afterwards, Omo-Agege described the verdict as “flawed”, saying the tribunal was conducted in a challenging environment and the judges failed to consider “unassailable evidence”.
He said, “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.”