Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Former Deputy President of the Senate and 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta State, Ovie Omo-Agege, has finally surrendered to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori after the Supreme Court judgement that declares him (Sheriff Oborevwori) the true winner of the keenly contested election in the state.
In a statement he personally issued after the apex court judgment on Friday, he wished Oborevwori well in his effort to govern the state.
The Supreme Court had disallowed the APC candidate’s appeal seeking to overturn the judgement of both the Court of Appeal and the trial tribunal which had upheld the declaration of Oborevwori of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as duly elected in the March 18, 2023 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The apex court also trashed two other separate appeals against the governor filed by Ken Pela of Labour Party and Kenneth Gbagi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Omo-Agege, who thanked his family members, leaders of APC at all levels and other stakeholders for their support during the electioneering period and in the course of the protracted litigation, urged the governor to accept his congratulation on the victory.
“It has been a long-drawn out struggle to offer our people the best in the governance of our state. It is about the collective interest and good of our people, not our personal interest.
“Having now received the Supreme Court’s seal of approval, I must wish you well as a democrat,” Omo-Agege said.
“We ask our people to respect today’s decision and give their best to promote peace everywhere in our beloved Delta State.
“The unity, peace, and general good of our dear state are bigger and more important than any individual or group interest.”
“Having responsibly and fully played our role in principled defence of our fervent belief in the truth, honour and justice of our case and cause as democrats, we must now yield all to posterity, even as we thank God Almighty who gave us the grace to stand in the first place”, Omo-Agege added.