The Supreme Court in a unanimous judgment on Friday Sheriff Oborevwori as the duly elected governor of Delta.
The Apex court dismissed the appeal brought before it by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Ovie- Omo-Agege, against the election of the governor
The court in the lead judgment delivered by Justice John Okoro held that Omo-Agege, a former Deputy Senate President, failed woefully to establish that the election was invalid for alleged corrupt malpractices.
Okoro said that none of the allegations against the March 18, 2023, was established as required by law.
While Oborevwori scored 360,234 votes to win the governorship election, his closest rival, Omo-Agege of the APC, polled 240,229 votes.
The supreme court rejected the plea by Omo-Agege that the election be nullified on the allegations that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Okoro also rejected the claim that the results of the governorship election were not properly recorded in some polling units and the allegations that the forms that contained some of the recorded results did not have serial numbers.
While affirming Oborevwori as the lawfully elected governor for Delta, the apex court affirmed the judgments of the Delta State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal which had earlier dismissed Omo-Agege’s petition for want of merit.
Meanwhile, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday congratulated Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) as winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election in Delta.
Omo-Agege felicitation message signed by him was made available to newsmen in Asaba, in his reaction to the Supreme Court verdict that affirmed Gov. Oborevwori’s victory in the election on Friday in Abuja.
Since then, the APC candidate contested the election but had failed to upturn the victory from the tribunals, through Appeal court and finally at the Supreme Court.
Omo-Agege, in his statement after the Supreme Court verdict, said: “To my dear brother, His Excellency, Rt. Honourable Sherrif Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State, accept my congratulations for your victory today.
“It has been a long-drawn out struggle to offer our people the best in the governance of our State.
“It is about the collective interest and good of our people, not our personal interest.
“Having now received the Supreme Court’s seal of approval, I must wish you well as a democrat.
“May the good Lord guide and abide with you and give you good health, strength and wisdom to govern our State well in Jesus’ Name”.
He, however, said that his effort to upturn Gov. Oborevwori’s victory was disallowed by the Supreme Court but affirmed the return of Oborevwori as duly elected governor of Delta.
“As the final court of the land, all citizens are bound to accept and abide by its decisions even if they do not accord with their personal or collective expectations of justice.
“So, we ask our people to respect today’s decision and give their best to promote peace everywhere in our beloved Delta State.
“The unity, peace, and general good of our dear state are bigger and more important than any individual or group interest.
“Having responsibly and fully played our role in principled defence of our fervent belief in the truth, honour and justice of our case and cause as democrats;
“We must now yield all to posterity, even as we thank God Almighty who gave us the grace to stand in the first place,” Omo-Agege said.
Omo-Agege, who was the immediate past Deputy Senate President, thanked his wife and children and entire family for their huge sacrifices in his quest to offer innovative and caring leadership to the people of Delta.
“I am particularly immensely grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his genuine commitment and extraordinary support for our cause as the leader of our great party, the APC and a great statesman.
“Further, I sincerely thank the National Working Committee (NWC) and indeed the entire national leadership of our party ably led by His Excellency Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for their unwavering support.
“We are equally grateful to the Delta State Executive Committee of the APC under the leadership of Elder Omeni Sobotie for its dedication to duty, godly counsel, and support.
“We are also eternally grateful to our Campaign Organisation which, devotedly led by Elder Godsday Orubebe as Director-General, championed our campaign everywhere in Delta for a better State and country”.
He also expressed his gratitude to members of the legal team led by Mr Robert Emokpoeruo (SAN) for their extraordinary scholarship, industry and commitment to the course of justice.
“In the same way, we thank all our respected political, religious, community, business, professional, and youth leaders, great friends and indeed all our party members and supporter for all they did to support us. May the good Lord bless you all.
” To my dear and dependable brother and running mate, the Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi, thank you for your strong character and firm belief in God who gives power as it pleases Him alone.
“We ran a great race. Hold your head high as a man of honour. I pray the Almighty God rewards your faithfulness and loyalty beyond ordinary human comprehension.
