Delta State Tribunal Affirms Sheriff Obolewori’s Governorship
The Delta State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Asaba has affirmed the election of Sheriff Obolewori as the state governor, dismissing the petitions filed by opposition candidates. This decision reinforces the legitimacy of Obolewori’s election amidst significant legal challenges.
Opposition Petitions Largely Dismissed
The tribunal’s three-member panel, led by Justice C.H. Afchaogu, ruled against all petitions submitted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Ovi Omo-Agege, along with those from Ken Pera of the Labour Party and Kenneth Gbagi, the leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The court concluded that the claims of excessive voting lacked substantial evidence.
Overvoting Claims Insufficiently Supported
On the crucial matter of alleged overvoting, the tribunal found that the appellants failed to present the necessary BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) report to substantiate their claims. The ruling emphasized the importance of this specific evidence, noting that the petitioners were unable to demonstrate why the BVAS report was not submitted despite having been granted access to test it.
Evidence of Non-Compliance Found Lacking
The tribunal further scrutinized claims of non-compliance with election laws, stating that the appellants did not effectively establish this across all voting units. The court pointed out that much of the testimony relied on hearsay, as key polling workers were not called to provide direct evidence. This absence weakened the case presented by the petitioners.
Allegations of Corruption Dismissed
The court also found no convincing evidence regarding allegations of corruption or fraud that could have impacted the election results. Although the appellants highlighted inflated voting numbers, they failed to demonstrate how such inconsistencies would materially alter the outcome, leading the tribunal to rule against them.
Omo-Agege’s Response to the Verdict
In the wake of the tribunal’s ruling, Omo-Agege expressed his disappointment and indicated plans to appeal the decision. He articulated his belief that the court overlooked critical aspects of the Elections Act 2022, arguing that a thorough examination of all relevant election evidence would have yielded a different result.
Support for the Ruling and Call for Respect for Electoral Choices
On the other hand, Funkekeme Solomon, Senior Policy Adviser to Obolewori, lauded the court’s affirmation of the election results. He contended that the lawsuits stemming from the election serve no purpose other than to undermine the democratic choice of the electorate. Solomon emphasized that any attempt to contest the results would be perceived as an effort to usurp the will of the people.
