TheCable

Ovie Omo-Agege, a former deputy senate president, says he will appeal the judgment of the Delta state governorship tribunal which dismissed his case challenging the election outcome.

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.

Oborevwori polled 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, in the judgment issued on Friday, a three-member panel of the tribunal held that the petitioners failed to prove the allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act and corrupt practices beyond a reasonable doubt.

Consequently, the petition was dismissed.

In a statement shortly afterwards, Omo-Agege described the verdict as “flawed”.

He said the tribunal was conducted in a challenging environment and the judges failed to consider “unassailable evidence”.

“It is a no-brainer that the tribunal operated under a very challenging environment,” Omo-Agege said.

“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.”