• Sheriff Oborevwori
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, yesterday, said the Abuja Division of Court of Appeal did not sack him as governor of the state.
The appellate court had ruled directing the Delta State governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Asaba to hear the petition of the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Mr. Ken Pela, against the election of Oborevwori of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The Delta State tribunal had over a month ago struck out the petition on technical ground of abandonment, a development that necessitated an appeal by Mr. Pela.
Although the ruling of the Court of Appeal was unambiguous, a tweet by one of the supporters of Mr. Pela created confusion in the social media space when he posted that the Labour Party candidate had been declared winner.
But in a statement, the Delta State Government said the rumour that Oborevwori had been sacked was fake news being peddled by Mr. Pela and his co-travelers.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon in the statement, clarified that the Appeal Court ordered the tribunal to hear the case.
“We have been inundated by reports from a section of the media that the Appeal Court had declared Mr. Ken Pela of the Labour Party as winner of the 2023 governorship election in Delta State.
“The report is nothing but fake news as the appellate court only ordered the tribunal to hear the case.
“From the results declared by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), it was obvious that the Labour Party did not win the Delta State governorship election therefore couldn’t have won in court.
“Our people came out in large numbers to elect Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and they are happy with him. We therefore urge party faithful and Deltans to disregard the said reports as it was a concoction from the Labour Party and their followers.
“We also urge Deltans to remain calm. As at the time of the fake news, Governor Oborevwori was busy inspecting various on-going projects within Asaba and its environs. He is focused on delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the state and would not be distracted by the rumour mills.
“Our lawyers are studying the Appeal Court judgment with a view to taking necessary action,” he said.
