By Our Correspondent
Governor of Delta State, Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori, has dedicated his victory at the Supreme Court to the Almighty God, the unwavering support of Deltans and his legal team.
This followed the dismissal by a five-man of the apex court led by Inyang Okoro earlier today (Friday) of the petition by Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege of the All Progressives Congress (APC) alleging over-voting and non-compliance with the electoral laws.
Oborevwori told the media in Abuja after the five-member panel of the apex court affirmed his victory that his triumph meant that there were no winners and losers.
Rather, he called on the opposition parties in the state to join him in the task of developing the oil-rich state.
Acknowledging the enormous drain in energy and resources occasioned by the legal tussle, he urged all Deltans to close ranks and support his administration to realise his four-point development strategy encapsulated in the MORE agenda.
In a statement from his Executive Assistant, Media, Igho Akeregha, the governor said that with legal fireworks over, he was now poised to fully implement his plan of Meaningful Development, Opportunities for all, Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security (MORE) for all Deltans.
Addressing his teeming supporters at the Governors Lodge, Oborevwori assured Deltans who had earlier thronged the Supreme Court in their traditional yellow fez caps, of his commitment to uplift the state.
“You have shown me love. I and my deputy will not disappoint you. We will continue to serve all Deltans with renewed vigour and commitment,” Oborevwori said. “What happened in the court today is a victory for all Deltans.”
Amidst deafening chants of “On your mandate we shall stand” by his supporters, the governor thanked all Deltans for their unwavering support, promising not to let them down.
While dismissing Omo-Agege and his APC’s petition to overturn Oborevwori’s election as governor of Delta State, the Supreme Court held that the appellant was unable to prove his case of over-voting and non-compliance with the electoral laws.
The court, in its lead judgement, held that the appeal lacked merit. It also dismissed the appeal by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate against Governor Oborevwori.
Oborevwori, who was the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was declared winner of the March 18th governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Omo-Agege had afterwards proceeded to the Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the result declared by INEC.
However, the Supreme Court upheld the concurrent findings of both the tribunal, which had earlier dismissed Omo-Agege’s petition, and the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, which affirmed the tribunal’s decision.
