The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the Delta state capital, has ordered respondents to file and serve the petitioner with their applications latest today June 5, 2023.
Head of the tribunal, Justice C. H Ahuchaogu directed when he commenced hearing of the petition of the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Barr. Kenneth Gbagi.
“I have listened to all the parties. The substantial part of the pre-hearing has been conducted except the pending motions. I therefore adjourn the case to June 13 for the continuation of the petition” Ahuchaogu stated.
Gbagi had filed a 79-page petition against Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his party, Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Deputy Senate president, Ovie Omo-Agege and All Progressive Party, (APC), Labour Party, (LP), candidate, Ken Pela and All Progressive Grand Alliance, (APGA), candidate, Chief Great Ogboru and their deputies.
Gbagi, former Minister of State for Education and Chairman, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, (LACN), argued for the disqualifications of all of them, alleging that they were not qualified to contest the March 18, 2023, poll.
Addressing journalists shortly after the adjournment, the led counsel to the petitioner, Mr Magaji Mato Ibrahim (SAN) said the substantial part of the Pre-hearing has been conducted.
“The pre-trial section had commenced and all parties have responded. What is left are the motions that are pending which will be taken in the next adjustment day”.
“All processes for filling, exchange will be done on that day. So, nothing will stop the hearing of the applications, those that are pending and other will be filed.
“The ground as it contains in the art, is in section 134 which is the issue of qualifications. That is to say “We are challenging the qualifications of all candidates”.
“We are saying that as at the time they contested the election, they were not qualified and because of that the person that won and those who did not win should stand to be disqualified by INEC.
“Once the disqualification is succeeded, we are saying the court should call for fresh election and then only our candidate and his party will remain the only one to stand for the election”, he revealed.
Reacting to the development, spokesperson of Delta State PDP Campaign Council, Barr Fred Latimore, said PDP and Oborevwori’s legal team are capable and have good knowledge of the law.
He noted that at the end of it all the Delta PDP governorship candidate shall prevail.
