Executive Governor of Delta state, Rt Hon. (Elder) Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori on Friday dedicated his victory at the Supreme court to Almighty God, the unwavering support of Deltans and his legal team.
Addressing the media in Abuja after the five-member panel of the apex court affirmed his victory, Oborevwori said his triumph meant that there were no winners and losers. He called on the opposition parties in the state to join him in the task of developing the oil-rich state.
While acknowledging the enormous drain in energy and resources occasioned by the legal tussle, the Governor stressed the need for all Deltans to close ranks and support his administration to realise his four point development strategy encapsulated in the MORE agenda.
A statement by Igho Akeregha, Executive Assistant, Media to the Governor quoting his principal said with legal fireworks over, he is now poised to fully implement the MORE plan of Meaning Development, Opportunities for all, Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security for all Deltans.
Addressing his teeming supporters at the Governors lodge who had earlier thronged the Supreme court in their traditional yellow fez caps, Oborevwori assured them 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. What happened in the court today is a victory for all Deltans” Oborevwori said.
Amidst deafening chants of “On your mandate we shall stand” by his supportees, the Governor expressed appreciation to all Deltans for their unwavering support promising not to let them down.
While dismissing Omo-Agege’s petition, seeking to overturn Governor Oborevwori’s election as governor of Delta State, a five-member panel of the apex court led by Inyang Okoro had 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. The apex court has also dismissed the appeal of the SDP candidate against Governor Oborevwori.
Oborevwori, who was the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was declared the winner of the 18 March governorship election by Nigeria’s electoral commission, INEC.
He defeated the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Ovie Omo-Agege, who proceeded to the Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the result declared by INEC.
The Supreme Court, the final arbiter in legal matters similarly upheld the concurrent findings of both the tribunal, which had earlier dismissed Omo-Agege’s petition, and the Court of Appeal in Lagos affirming the tribunal’s decision.
The former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege also took the opportunity to thank various individuals and groups, including his running mate, Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi, and APC National Leader, President Bola Tinubu, for their support throughout the electoral process.
The Labour Party in the state also issued a statement, congratulating Governor Oborevwori and expressing acceptance of the Supreme Court’s verdict in good faith.
Meanwhile, the state Peoples Democratic Party expressed its heartfelt congratulations to the Governor on his well-deserved victory, which it said has brought a final closure to all litigations challenging his election as the Executive Governor of Delta State
The felicitations, contained in a press statement by the party’s publicity secretary, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, assured that the victory has now cleared the coast for the full implementation and delivery of the MORE Agenda for Deltans.
“We applaud the judiciary once again for their undoubted consistency and conviction right from the Elections Petitions Tribunal in maintaining an unwavering position on the result of the March 18, 2023, governorship election in our state, and this final judgement is an irreversible affirmation of the decision of the Delta masses to vote landslide for Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as their duly elected governor.”
