The Senator representing Delta South senatorial district, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has said he and his party, the All Progressives Congress, will appeal the judgement of the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the state capital.
Recall that, the senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Michael Diden, had challenged the victory of the Joel-Onowakpo in the 2023 National Assembly elections.
Diden and his party, in their petition marked EPT/DT/SEN/ 01/2023, asked the tribunal to void the Independent National Electoral Commission’s declaration of Joel-Onowakpo as the winner of the 2023 senatorial election.
They alleged that he was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast at the poll.
According to SaharaReporters, delivering its judgement on Wednesday, the three-man panel headed by Justice Cathrine Ogunsola in her ruling declared that the election that brought in Joel-Onowakpo was inconclusive and therefore ordered the INEC to conduct a supplementary election in the Warri South council area of Delta South senatorial district within 90 days from the ruling date.
Reacting to the judgement, Joel-Onowakpo said he and the APC would appeal the judgement of the tribunal.
He said, “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, the preliminary brief suggests 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 teaming 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.”
