APC Senator in Delta Sacked by Tribunal, Re-run Ordered in 90 Days

In a recent development, the Delta State Election Petition Tribunal made a significant decision on Wednesday by removing Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, who had been representing the Delta South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

This decision came about after a legal challenge initiated by Michael Diden, the Senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who contested the victory of Thomas, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, in the 2023 National Assembly elections.

Diden and his party, the PDP, presented their case in a petition labeled EPT/DT/SEN/01/2023. In this petition, they raised concerns about the validity of Thomas’s election, asserting that he had not been legitimately elected with the majority of lawful votes cast during the polls.

The verdict delivered by a three-member panel, presided over by Justice Cathrine Ogunsola, determined that the election that led to Thomas’s victory was inconclusive. As a result, the tribunal issued a directive to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize a supplementary election in the Warri South council area of the Delta South senatorial district within a period of 90 days. This decision has significant implications for the political landscape in the Delta South Senatorial District and underscores the importance of fair and transparent electoral processes.

Reacting to the judgment, the APC senator said in a statement:

”I am aware of the judgement delivered by the National Assembly Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba, Delta State.

”Though we are yet to receive the certified true copy of the judgement, preliminary brief suggested sufficient grounds for appeal, which will give us victory.

”As I consult the leadership of our party and my legal team, rest assured that we will appeal this judgement, and we will do everything within our God-given grace to defend our mandate.

”However, I wish to urge my teeming supporters and APC faithful in Delta South Senatorial District to remain calm and show brotherly love to one another.

”Rest assured that, by God’s grace, the mandate you gave to me at the polls will be defended, and I will remain your senator now and for the next four years.”