Gov poll: A’Court’s victory excites Delta Speaker

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal on Monday restored the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Francis Oborevwori, as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.

At a special thanksgiving service held at the Government House Chapel, Asaba, shortly after the victory, Oborevwori said anything ordained by God cannot be upturned.

Oborevwori had approached the Court of Appeal praying the appellate court to set aside the judgment of the lower court which nullified his governorship candidacy of the PDP in the state.

The Appellate Court, in the verdict delivered on Monday, voided and set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court which on July 7, 2022 nullified his nomination on ground of certificate forgery and perjury.

Justice Peter Ige, who delivered the Court of Appeal’s judgment, held that claims against the Speaker are criminal in nature and must be proved beyond reasonable doubts.

The Appellate Court also held that David Edevbie, who instituted the Federal High Court suit, ought to have approached the court via writ of summons to enable resolution of disputes and not by originating summons where only affidavit evidence is required.

Justice Ige said issue of certificate forgery and faking of documents allegations against the Speaker were such that required witnesses from those who issued the certificates and the alleged fake documents.

The court therefore upheld the victory of the Speaker at the May 25, 2022 primary election where he polled 590 votes to defeat Edevbie who polled 113 votes to emerge second.

At the thanksgiving service, Oborevwori said, “I have come to the chapel to appreciate God for giving me victory.

“It is the Almighty God that gave me the victory at the court. It is victory for everybody in the state. It is God that gives power; nobody can upturn what God had ordained.

“Delta State is one, by the grace of God, in 2023, we shall come here again (Government House Chapel) to give thanks to God.”

Also reacting to the judgment, Edevbie, who spoke through his campaign organisation’s Head, Strategic Communication, Mr Fred Edoreh, said, “Our lawyers will study (the judgment) and then advise us on what step to take next over the matter. We are optimistic that we are on course.”