Supreme Court Dismisses Gbagi’s Appeal Seeking To Nullify Gov Oborevwori Election
The Supreme Court, on Friday, delivered a decisive ruling by dismissing an appeal filed by Kenneth Gbagi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) challenging the election victory of Sheriff Oborevwori as governor of Delta state. The Independent National Electoral Commission had previously declared Oborevwori, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, as the winner of the March 18, 2023, governorship election.
Expressing dissatisfaction with Oborevwori’s victory, Gbagi and the SDP pursued legal action, initially approaching the Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Asaba. However, on September 29, the tribunal upheld Oborevwori as the legitimate winner of the election.
Undeterred, Gbagi then escalated the appeal to the Court of Appeal, which, on November 24, 2023, also affirmed Oborevwori’s election, dismissing Gbagi’s appeal.
Persisting in their efforts, Gbagi and the SDP took the case to the Supreme Court, seeking the overturning of the judgments from the lower courts. In their appeal, Gbagi requested the court to declare Oborevwori ineligible to contest the election, among other reliefs.
The 5-man panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, unanimously dismissed the appeal, declaring it lacking in merit and incompetency. The lead judgment was delivered by Justice Lawal Garba, who emphasized the absence of merit in Gbagi’s appeal.
“The appeal lacks merit and consequently, it is hereby dismissed. Appeal is hereby dismissed. Parties are to bear their respective costs,” Justice Garba stated, finalizing the Supreme Court’s affirmation of Sheriff Oborevwori’s election as the governor of Delta state.
