Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has rejected an ex parte application by Chief Great Ogboru of Labour Party (LP), asking for an order for inspection of electoral materials used during the last governorship election in the state, in which the state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was declared winner.
Rejecting the motion in a ruling, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Nasiru Gummi held that since the application touched on vital election materials, all parties to the case ought to have been served and put on notice.
The tribunal, therefore, directed Chief Ogboru to come before the tribunal with a proper application and put all parties on notice to enable them respond.
Earlier, counsel to Chief Ogboru and Labour Party, Mr. Dele Adesina, represented by Barrister Emuakperuo had informed the court that he had two applications including the ex parte application seeking order of the court to inspection election materials.
However, while responding, counsel to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, PDP and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr. Alex Iziyon, Timothy Kehinde and Onyinye Anumoye respectively did not oppose the application but asked for joint inspection of the materials.
Due to the request of the respondents that they be joined in the inspection, the tribunal therefore rejected the application of the petitioner and directed him to come before the tribunal with a proper motion and serve all parties as it touches on vital election materials.
Meanwhile, the tribunal during the sitting also heard the petition of Chief O’tega Emerhor of All Progressive Congress (APC) challenging the election of the state, Governor, Dr. Okowa of PDP.
Counsels to the respondents as mentioned above had informed the court that the petitioner had failed to fill forms TF007 and TF008 and as a result, the petition remained abandoned and incompetent.
However, the tribunal ruled in favour of the petitioner that it has powers to grant application that will help in the trial of the case.
•Photo shows Ogboru.
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