*Calls on supporters to remain calm
By Victor Lewis
As the National Assembly Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba continues to reel out what many suspect as controversial judgments, the Senator representing Delta Central, Senator Ede Dafinone, has vehemently rejected the decision of the Tribunal which ordered a rerun election in Warri South Local Government Area.
The Tribunal, led by Justice W. I. Kpochi, while delivering its judgment in a petition marked EPT/DT/Sen/2023 filed by the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ighoyota Amori, had nullified the return made by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC 25th February 2023, ordering a supplementary election within 90 days in only 23 polling units, out of the 2,180 units in the senatorial district.
It however held dismissed the prayer of Amori seeking the relief of the Tribunal to declare the victory of Senator Ede Dafinone as null, void and of no consequence, as well as, alternative prayer that he should be declared the winner of the senatorial election, adding that it lacked merit.
The affected polling units where the Tribunal ordered rerun are in Sapele, Okpe, Udu and Ughelli North LGAs.
Meanwhile, Senator Dafinone in a statement said that he is not perturbed by the outcome of the case, calling his supporters and party faithful to remain calm as he headed to Court of Appeal to reclaim his mandate.
The statement read:
“The National Assembly Petition Tribunal sitting at Asaba today nullified my return as the winner of the Delta Central Senatorial Election of 25 February 2023 and ordered a supplementary election within 90 days in only 23 polling units, out of the 2,180 units in the district.
“While I respect the ruling of the tribunal, I do not accept its decision. I have therefore directed my legal team to appeal the judgement immediately.
“Like we promised during our campaign to defend our votes, we shall fulfill our promise by defending the mandate which the people of Delta Central freely gave to us.
*It is instructive to note that despite the cancellation of the affected units, we are still having an insurmountable lead over our closet opponent.
“As a consequence, we are not perturbed by today’s momentary setback which we shall surely overcome.
“We, therefore, urge our party faithful, supporters, and the great people of Delta Central to remain calm and steadfast, because this also shall end in Praise!
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