By Ken Afor
The victory of Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas in the Delta South Senatorial District election was on Wednesday affirmed by the Court of Appeal, Asaba, after voiding the judgment of the National and State Houses of Assembly election petitions tribunal.
It would be recalled that Senator Joel-Onowakpo contested the February 25 Delta South Senatorial District election and was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but his victory was challenged at the election petitions tribunal in the state by the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Michael Diden, aka Ejele.
However, in the ruling delivered by Justice Olubunmi Oyewole-led panel, the five issues filed in the appeal by Joel-Onowakpo were declared of no merit.
Justice Oyewole awarded the sum of N250,000 against the PDP candidate, Diden.
Earlier, Diden in his petition marked EPT/DT/SEN/ 01/2023, had approached the tribunal challenging the victory of Senator Joel-Onowakpo, and prayed the tribunal to nullify his opponent’s victory and that INEC should hold a supplementary election.
He claimed that Joel-Onowakpo was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast at the poll.
His request was granted by a three-man panel headed by Justice Cathrine Ogunsola.
Justice Ogunsola had ruled that the election that brought in Joel-Onowakpo was inconclusive and therefore ordered the electoral umpire to conduct a supplementary election in the Warri South council area of Delta South senatorial district within 90 days as stipulated in the law.
But, on Wednesday, the ruling was set aside after Joel-Onowakpo had appealed against the judgement with reasonable facts according to Justice Oyewole.
