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Oborevwori’s Fate Hangs in Balance: Supreme Court withholds Verdict on APC, SDP, and LP Appeals

The Supreme Court has reserved judgment on the appeals by the All Progressives Congress candidate, Social Democratic Party, and Labour Party and their candidates in the Delta state governorship election.

The court of appeal in Lagos had affirmed the election of Sheriff Oborevwori as the governor of Delta state, dismissing the appeals by the governorship candidates and their parties.

Oborevwori polled 360,234 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Ovie Omo-Agege of the All Progressives Party, who scored 240,229.

Ken Pela of the LP came third with 48,027 votes, while Great Ogboru of the All Progressives Grand Alliance came fourth with 11,021 votes.

Counsel for Omo-Agege said some of the recorded results did not have serial numbers.

He said this violated section 73(2) of the Electoral Act.

Omo-Agege counsel noted that the evidence tendered to substantiate this at the lower courts was ignored.

“Some of the recorded results across specified polling units did not have serial numbers.
The provisions in section 73(2) state that there should be a record. It also provides for the compulsory invalidation of an election conducted without serial numbers.

“The Lower courts did not give slots to these exhibits. Evidence tendered has been ignored. Notwithstanding, the concurrent judgments, my lords should set aside these judgments,” He said.

The Counsel for the first respondent, Joseph E. O Abubu citing section 137 of the Electoral Act urged the court to dismiss the appeal.

Pela of the LP on his part, urged the Supreme Court to nullify the entire election and order a fresh poll.

The candidate of the SDP, Kenneth Gbagi, said the governor was not eligible to contest the election, urging the court to nullify his victory.

The five-member panel led by John Okoro after listening to parties’ arguments reserved judgments on the matters.


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