In a definitive ruling, the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed an appeal by Kenneth Gbagi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), challenging the election of Sheriff Oborevwori as governor of Delta state. The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Oborevwori, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, as the winner of the governorship election held on March 18, 2023.
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 March 18 governorship election.
Unsatisfied with the tribunal’s decision, 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 legal efforts, Gbagi and the SDP took the case to the Supreme Court, seeking the setting aside of the judgments from the lower courts. Gbagi, in his plea, requested the court to declare that Oborevwori was ineligible to contest the election, among other reliefs.
A 5-man panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, unanimously dismissed the appeal, declaring it lacking in merit and incompetent. 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, affirming Sheriff Oborevwori’s election as the governor of Delta state.
