A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Hon Abel Oshevire, has congratulated Senator Ede Dafinone, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas and Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive, over the verdict of the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, which validated their victories in the February 25, 2023, National Assembly elections.
The appellate court on Wednesday upturned the decision of the National Assembly Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, which in October, ordered a rerun in the Delta Central Senatorial election between Senator Ede Dafinone of the APC and Chief Ighoyota Amori of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a unanimous judgement, the Appeal Court declared the petition of the candidate of the PDP at the tribunal as lacking in merit and upheld Dafinone’s appeal.
For Delta South Senatorial District, the Court of Appeal affirmed the election of Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, over the candidate of the PDP, Micheal Diden, alias Ejele and others.
Also, for the Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, the appellate court set aside the judgement of the National Assembly Elections Tribunal Asaba and affirmed the victory of Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive against his opponent, Solomon Ahwinahwi of the PDP.
In his congratulatory meassge on the Court of Appeal verdict, Hon Abel Oshevire, a former member of the Delta State House of Assembly, described the rulings of the court as victory for democracy.
“Today’s (Wednesday) Court of Appeal judgements which went in favour of three elected National Assembly members of the APC in Delta State, is indeed a milestone and a positive development, which will greatly strengthen and enhance the growth of democracy in the country. The judges have done noble and I commend their courage for upholding the law.
“The rulings were clear manifestations of the genuine mandates given to Senator Ede Dafinone, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, and Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive in the February 25, 2023, National Assembly elections, by Deltans.
“I heartily rejoice and celebrate these three worthy sons of Urhobo and Isoko Nations, on their triumph at the Appeal Court. I am confident, given their pedigree, that they will provide quality representation, based on their electioneering promises, to the people.
“They are men of honour and integrity; with proven track records of competence, capacity and character. I trust in their abilities to perform and ensure that the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu come to fruitful,” said Oshevire.
The former parliamentarian, who is the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the apex Urhobo socio-cultural organisation, Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), emphasised that the three men would distinguish themselves and deliver the dividends of democracy to their constituents.
