Court sacks Delta PDP governorship candidate

…Party Chairman calls for calm

By Dave Okpogadie, Asaba

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Delta State chapter, has been thrown into confusion following the sack of the party’s flag bearer in the 2023 gubernatorial election, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori by an Abuja High Court.

The presiding Justice Taiwo Taiwo ruled that Oborevwori was not qualified to contest in accordance with the provision of S84(3) of Electoral Act.

The judgement, which granted all the prayers sought by the Delta State immediate past Chief of Staff, Olorogun David Edevbie, renders all votes cast for Sheriff Oborevwori null and void and of no effect.

With the judgement, it is left for the PDP to quickly arrange a substitution or wait for possible appeal of the judgement by Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who is the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) but minding the timeline for substitution of candidates.

While advising the PDP to immediately substitute Olorogun David Edevbie’s name as the Party candidate for the Governorship having come second position, sources are of the belief that the Court shied away from declaring the Second runner up for reason best known to them.

Describing the judgement as shocking, the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Barrister Kingsley Esiso said he was yet to read the judgment for him to know the next action to take.

He said, “I don’t have the details of the judgment yet. Which ever way the PDP family is still intact. I appeal to our members not to see this development as a setback to the party rather it should be seen as a challenge.

Also, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in the state Engr. Omeni Sobotie declined comments, saying he did not have the full details of the judgement.

Meanwhile, as the news of the judgement filtered into town, residents of Asaba, the state capital were seen in groups discussing the possible way out for the ruling party in the State.