The Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the state capital has adjourned the petition of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi challenging the eligibility of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer, Sheriff Oborevwori, in the March 18 poll.
The Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday May 24,2023, adjourned to Thursday June 1, 2023 for commencement of pre-hearing in the petition by Gbagi, against Oborevwori, Ovie Augustine Omo-Agege, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Ken Pela, of the Labour Party (LP).
The state chairman of the SDP, Chief Mrs Esther Ikule and other members of the state executive council, the deputy governorship candidate of the party, Chief Mrs Rosemary Oshilim and party supporters were also present in court on Wednesday.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the adjournment, the lead counsel of Gbagi’s legal team, Magaji Mato Ibrahim, SAN, said: “This is a petition against all the respondents that we have brought to court; PDP and their candidates, APC and their candidates, APGA and its candidates and LP and its candidates.
“Today, we commenced a pre-trial session and as it is because the 8th, 9th and 10th Respondents were not served with notice, this pre-hearing could not continue”.
He disclosed that the matter was adjourned till June 1, for the continuation of the hearing session.
He assured that the legal team of the Social Democratic Party, would conclude the pre-hearing session within the period stipulated by the new Electoral Act 2022, “then hearing of the case will commence”.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, reiterated that they are maintaining three basic grounds which he claimed is that all the other political parties and their candidates were not qualified to contest the election.
He also revealed that the election was not conducted in line with the Electoral Act and other statutory positions of the law.
The counsel also said the election was marred with rigging and other electoral malpractice adding that the three grounds are highly pleaded and adequately provided with facts and concrete evidence to justify the cause.
According to him, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in its reply has conceded that the election was not conducted in line with extant laws.
