Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Ovie Omo-Agege have urged the governorship election petitions court sitting in Asaba to dismiss the petition of Labour Party (LP) and its candidate, Mr. Ken Pela for abandonment.
In the petition, Mr. Pela and Labour Party are challenging the conduct and outcome of the March 18 governorship election in Delta.
Joined as respondent is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and six others including Oborevwori (2nd respondent) and Omo-Agege (5th respondent).
Counsel to Oborevwori, Kehinde Ogunwuniju (SAN) and that of PDP, Ekeme Ohwovoriole (SAN) who filed separate motions seeking the dismissal of the petition, contended that the petition was deemed abandoned.
They claimed that the petitioners failed to file a pre-hearing notice seven days from when the last respondent on the matter filed his reply.
Similarly, counsel of APC, Robert Emukperuo (SAN), in his oral application said the petition has been abandoned by the petitioners.
But according to counsel of the petitioners, S. I Nwogu ”we have filed a pre-hearing notice at the right time, and it suffices for all the respondents; we intend to respond to the application within two days”.
The tribunal headed by Justice C.H. Ahuchaogu thereafter adjourned the matter to June 24.
Recall YourCitiNews reported last week that the the Labour Party, LP, governorship candidate denied recent claims circulating in various media outlets that he had withdrawn his petition at the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in the state.
Pela while speaking to reporters said he neither withdrew nor abandoned his petition.
“I didn’t abandon my petition; we will clarify whatever the issues are with our lawyer,” he said.
Pela also debunked rumours that he had been compensated.
“They did not see me coming, neither will they see me coming now. They kept thriving on rumours that l was given money, that l will step down, that Labour Party has joined PDP.
“We will fight this process all the way to the Supreme Court to ensure that the process that will produce the next governor of Delta State will be excellent,” he said.
