- We’ll appeal judgment – Speaker
- Says no cause for alarm, calls for calm
BY EDMOND ODOK – The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State has suffered a major setback ahead of the 2023 governorship election with a Federal High Court in Abuja disqualifying Sheriff Oborevwori as its candidate in the race.
Delivering his judgment against the candidacy of Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori and sacking him from further participation in the electoral process, Justice Taiwo Taiwo on Thursday held that he supplied false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to aid his qualification for the gubernatorial poll.
Holding that the suit had merits, Justice Taiwo accordingly granted the reliefs sought by Edevbie against Oborevwori, directing INEC and the PDP to recognize him (David Edevbie) as the authentic candidate of the Party for next year’s governorship election in Delta state.
Oborevwori, who is the current Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly (DSHA), emerged as the PDP candidate during the May 25, 2022, primary election.
In the suit brought by Edevbie, a former Commissioner of Finance under former Governor James Ibori, who came second in the primary, he prayed the Court to declare Oborevwori’s participation in the primaries as invalid over alleged discrepancies in his academic qualifications as well as his age.
Edevbie contended that the defendant was not validly nominated by his party, even as he also held that the PDP violated both its constitution and the electoral guidelines, during its state congress that produced Oborevwori as its flag bearer for the governorship election.
Besides urging the court to restrain the party from forwarding Oborevwori’s name to INEC, the plaintiff further prayed the court to restrain INEC from receiving or recognising Oborevwori as the duly nominated candidate of the party for the election.
Furthermore, the aggrieved Edevbie also sought an order restraining Oborevwori from parading or carrying himself as the PDP gubernatorial standard-bearer in Delta state.
Oborevwori Set To Appeal Ruling
Meanwhile, the embattled Speaker Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has called for calm among his supporters and admirers, declaring that the Federal High Court Judgement would be appealed to ensure justice is done.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Dennis Otu, said: “I wish to appeal to all my supporters, political associates, and well-wishers to remain calm and law-abiding over the Judgement of the Federal Court.
“There is no need to panic, all is well. We will certainly appeal the judgment and so let us maintain the peace as all hope is not lost. All is well and it will end in praise to the Glory of God Almighty.
“The courts have always been part of our democratic experience, and our confidence in the judiciary which is the last hope of the common man is unwavering.
“So, as we embark on the appeal process, our supporters and indeed Deltans should kindly note and be rest assured that Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orhowedor Oborevwori remains the Gubernatorial Flag Bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State for the 2023 general Elections.
“The Sherrification Movement is well and alive and, by God’s grace, we shall overcome. Once again, I want to appreciate God Almighty for giving us victory at all times, and we will certainly not stop praying for more victories because Delta State is in God’s hands, and be reassured that He will take us to the Promised Land at the end of the day.
“We also wish to thank our teeming supporters for their steadfastness”.
