The Delta State Government has made it clear that the Abuja-based Appeal Court just directed the tribunal to hear the matter afresh and did not invalidate Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s election.
This may not be unrelated to the widespread rumors that circulated in the state soon after the Abuja decision that Mr. Ken Pela, the Labour Party candidate, had been proclaimed the victor by the appeals court.
Festus Ahon, the governor’s chief press secretary, issued a statement in Asaba on behalf of the state administration claiming that the Appeal Court had only ordered a rehearing of the appeal.
The statement said:
“We have been inundated by reports from a section of the media that the Appeal Court had declared Mr Ken Pela of the Labour Party as the winner of the 2023 governorship election in Delta State.
“The report is nothing but fake news, as the Appellate Court only ordered the tribunal to hear the case.
“From the results declared by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it was obvious that the Labour Party did not win the election and therefore couldn’t have won in court.
“Our people came out in large numbers to elect Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and they are happy with him. We therefore urge Party faithful and Deltans to disregard the said reports, as they were a concoction of the Labour Party and their followers.
“We also urge Deltans to remain calm. At the time of the fake news, Governor Oborevwori was busy inspecting various ongoing projects within Asaba and its environs. He is focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of the state and would not be distracted by the rumour mills.
“Our lawyers are studying the Appeal Court judgement with a view to taking necessary action,” he said.
Tony Ezeagwu, the state’s Labour Party chairman, has praised the appeal court’s decision in the meanwhile.
When it reconvenes to consider the Labour Party’s case, he predicted that the Asaba governorship election tribunal will be able to act correctly.