BREAKING: Jubilation As Tribunal Dismisses APC Bid Ahead Of Judgement Day (DETAILS)

BREAKING: Jubilation As Tribunal Dismisses APC Bid Ahead Of Judgement Day (DETAILS)

The Delta State governorship election petition tribunal in Asaba, on Tuesday, rejected an application to recount the ballot papers used in the March 18 election, which were presented as evidence.

Alex Izinyon, SAN, the counsel for Ovie Omo-Agege, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made an oral request, stating that the ballot papers had already been admitted as exhibits and urged the tribunal to grant the application for a recount in the interest of justice.

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However, Prof. Joe Abugu, the counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), maintained that the commission stood by the declared results, affirming that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori won the election. Abugu stated that INEC would respect the tribunal’s decision on whether to recount the ballot papers or not.

Governor Oborevwori’s counsel, Damian Dodo (SAN), objected to the application, arguing that the petitioner failed to establish a case for the recount of the ballot papers. Dodo pointed out that there was no indication in the petition that the petitioner demanded a recount at any of the 1,333 polling units in question.

The counsel for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ekeme Ohwovoriole, SAN, also described the application as lacking merit and supported the submission of the counsel for the second respondent.

The three-man tribunal panel, chaired by Justice C.O. Ahuchaogu, ruled that a recount could not be granted through an oral application and dismissed the request, stating, “There is no merit in this oral application for a recount, and it is hereby dismissed.”