By Ken Afor
The immediate past deputy Senate President and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the March 18, 2023 Delta State Governorship Election, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the people of Delta for their support, despite losing an appeal against the state’s Governor, Rt. Hon. Sherrif Oborevwori, on Friday at the Supreme Court.
It would be recalled that Omo-Agege, a former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, contested in the governorship election held on March 18 under the APC party. However, PDP’s candidate, Oborevwori, was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, emerging victorious.
Oborevwori secured 360,234 votes, ultimately winning the governorship election, while Omo-Agege of the APC received 240,229 votes.
Dissatisfied with the election results, Omo-Agege, along with other candidates – Ken Pela of the Labour Party (LP) and Kenneth Gbagi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), individually filed petitions before the governorship tribunal.
However, the three-member panel of the tribunal concluded that the petitioners were unable to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims of substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act and corrupt practices.
The Senator decided to take the case to the Court of Appeal, arguing that the Tribunal overlooked significant flaws in the governorship election held on March 18, 2023, which ultimately made the declaration of the PDP as the winner invalid.
In response to the Court of Appeal judgment, Omo-Agege expressed his intention to pursue his appeal at the Supreme Court. He remains steadfast in his belief that the people of Delta, who showed their support by voting for him and the APC, have not yet received the justice they deserve.
Nevertheless, the Supreme Court, consisting of a five-member panel, delivered its judgment on Friday, stating that the appellant failed to substantiate the accusation of non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the March 18 poll.
Meanwhile, while accepting the decision of the apex court, Senator Omo-Agege issued a statement on Friday, urging his supporters to respect the judgment and contribute to promoting peace across the state.
According to the Senator, the unity, peace, and general welfare of the state are more significant and crucial than any individual or group interest.
The Senator emphasized that the harmony, tranquility, and overall welfare of the state surpass any personal or collective agenda.
The statement reads: “The Supreme Court today disallowed our appeal in respect of the March 18, 2023 Delta State Governorship Election and affirmed the return of Rt. Hon. Sherrif Oborevwori as the duly elected Governor of Delta State. As the final court of the land, all citizens are bound to accept and abide by its decisions even if they do not accord with their personal or collective expectations of justice. So, 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. Here, I must first thank my beloved wife, our dear children and great family for their huge sacrifices in my quest to offer innovative and caring leadership to our people.
“I am particularly immensely grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for his genuine commitment and extraordinary support for our cause as the leader of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a great stateman. Further, I sincerely thank the National Working Committee (NWC) and indeed the entire national leadership of our party ably led by His Excellency Alhaji (Dr.) Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for their unwavering support. We are equally grateful to the Delta State Executive Committee of the APC under the leadership of Elder Omeni Sobotie for its dedication to duty, godly counsel, and support.
“We are also eternally grateful to our Campaign Organisation, which, devotedly led by Elder Godsday Orubebe as Director-General, championed our campaign everywhere in Delta for a better State and country. Our special gratitude similarly extends to members of our legal team led by Mr. Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN, for their extraordinary scholarship, i commitment to the course of justice. In the same way, we thank all our respected political, religious, community, business, professional, and youth leaders, great friends and indeed all our party members and supporter for all they did to support us. May the good Lord bless you all.
“To my dear and dependable brother and running mate, the Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi, thank you for your strong character and firm belief in God who gives power as it pleases Him alone. We ran a great race. Hold your head high as a man of honor. I pray the Almighty God rewards your faithfulness and loyalty beyond ordinary human comprehension.
“Now, to my dear brother, His Excellency, Rt. Honourable Sherrif Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State, accept my congratulations for your victory today. 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 interests. Having now received the Supreme Court’s seal of approval, I must wish you well as a democrat. May the good Lord guide and abide with you and give you good health, strength, and wisdom to govern our State well in Jesus’ name.”
