Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas Ewomazino, representing Delta South in the National Assembly, has reassured his constituents that regardless of the court’s verdict, he will remain their representative until June 13, 2027.
The Delta South senator, a candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections, expressed this commitment after the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Asaba, on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, declared his election inconclusive and ordered a rerun in the Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
This decision followed a case brought before the tribunal by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Evang. Michael Diden, who sought to reverse the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to cancel the results of the Delta South Senatorial District elections in the Warri South Local Government Area and declare him the rightful winner.
However, the petitioner’s legal team failed to prove that there were no irregularities and that the results from the wards were not tampered with, leading to their outright cancellation by INEC. Consequently, the tribunal judges ordered a rerun within 90 days.
Senator Joel-Onowakpo, exuding confidence and belief in his mandate, remarked, “I am aware of the judgment delivered by the National Assembly Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, Delta State. Although we are yet to receive the certified true copy of the judgment, preliminary findings suggest sufficient grounds for appeal that will secure our victory.”
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“As I consult with the leadership of our party and my legal team, rest assured that we will appeal this judgment and use every available means to defend our mandate. I urge my supporters and APC faithful in Delta South Senatorial District to remain calm and exhibit brotherly love towards one another.”
“By God’s grace, the mandate you gave me at the polls will be defended, and I will remain your Senator for the next four years,” he reiterated.
Earlier, the tribunal had dismissed a case brought by the 2023 Delta South senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Timinimi George, against Senator Joel-Onowakpo on pre-election grounds, with the tribunal also awarding N500,000 in costs against the petitioner.
