Toba Owojaiye Reporting
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has issued an order for the Delta State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, seated in Asaba, to reexamine the petition presented by Mr. Ken Pela, who stood as the governorship candidate for the Labour Party.
The petition was against the incumbent state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.
Truth Live News reports that the appellate court issued this directive on Thursday morning during its ruling on the interlocutory appeal lodged by Mr. Pela, challenging the tribunal’s rejection of his petition.
Back in July, the tribunal had dismissed Mr. Pela’s petition, asserting that it lacked competence and overtly contravened paragraph 18 subsection 1 of the 4th Schedule to the Electoral Act 2022.
Mr. Pela, through his petition numbered EPT/DL/GOV/01/23, is contesting the results of the 2023 governorship election in the state. He is seeking permission from the tribunal to nullify the declaration of Oborevwori as the Delta State governor.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was included as the 1st respondent in the petition, while Governor Oborevwori and Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme were listed as the 2nd and 3rd respondents respectively. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was named as the 4th respondent.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the tribunal’s initial decision, Mr. Pela appealed to the Court of Appeal. Among other requests, he asked for an order to compel the Tribunal to consider his petitions.