Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa
The Supreme Court has affirmed the elections of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Wednesday by Justice Centus Nweze, the court held that the appellant, Mr Great Ogboru failed to prove allegations of over-voting.
He said that the appeal is a waste of the precious time of the Apex Court.
The Supreme Court also has affirmed the election of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu dismissing the appeal of Mr Alex Otti challenging the election.
At the onset of proceeding on Wednesday, counsel to Mr. Alex Otti and APGA Mr. Lateef Fagbemi adopted his processes.
According to him, claims by the Appellate Court that the documents tendered at the tribunal were dumped on the court should be set aside.
Mr. Fagbemi argued that the findings by the Appellate Court that the documents tendered were not true certified document was also an error because the issue of proper certification did not arise.
He added that there must be respect for the rule of law and the required procedure.
In the final analysis, he asked the court to allow the appeal and set aside the position of the Appellate Court and order a fresh election.
On his part counsel to INEC, Mr. Zakawanu Garba asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the appeal.
Counsel to Governor Ikpeazu, Mr. Wole Olanipekun also asked the court to dismiss the appeal.
Mr. Olanipekun said the appellant wants to make a mountain out of a molehill of evidence at the trial tribunal when the tribunal has already said it is not of any probative value since the maker of the document was not called to testify with respect to the document.
In a unanimous judgment, the court affirmed the election of Governor Darius Ishaku as Governor of Taraba state.
Delivered by Justice Ejembi Ekwo, the court held that the counsel to the APC admitted that the party had no candidate in the election and therefore has no locus standi to contest the election of the governor.
The Judge added that the appellant conceded the fact and went ahead to suggest that the supreme court allow one professor to step into the shoes of the disqualified candidate.
