By Austin Ogwuda
Delta State was gripped with fears today, Thursday, as news filtered in quoting the Court of Appeal Abuja Judicial Division as having overturned the election of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and ordered that the Appellant, the Labour Party Governorship candidate, Mr. Ken Pela as the winner of the election.
As at 12.30 pm the news went viral, phones were buzzing and it was mixed feelings all over the place, depending on the political divide or whom you have sympathy or owe allegiance to.
Civil servants were seen gathering in groups discussing the confusing news making the rounds from Abuja.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori too was inundated with phone calls, sms and WhatsApp messages, enquiring to know the actual situation that took place in Abuja.
Incidentally, while the news spread like wild fire, the governor was at the peak of inspection of some projects for inauguration in marking his 100 Days in office.
Following the confusion, the governor instructed his Chief Press Secretary CPS, Sir Festus Ahon to douse the tension by issuing a press statement which reads thus:
“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 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 ongoing 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,” the statement added.
