Godwin Udoh
Labour Party governorship candidate in Delta State, Mr. Ken Pela, has debunked the rumour of him abandoning his petition against the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Speaking to The Nigeria Xpress during the Tribunal Sitting, in Asaba, the state capital, he disclosed that the members of the PDP told the Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that he (Ken Pela ) abandoned his petition and was fully compensated.
Pela, in the petition, challenged the outcome of the March 18, 2023 governorship election, saying that he should be declared winner of the polls.
On his response, Pela said he neither withdrew or abandoned the petition, “I didn’t abandon my petition; we will clarify whatever the issues are with our lawyer.
“On the rumours that I have he had joined PDP and had been compensated are all lied.
“They did not see me coming, neither will they see me coming now. They kept thriving on rumours that l was given money to step down, that Labour Party has joined PDP.
“My principal, Peter Obi said, if you want to be called His Excellency, the process by which you attain the position must be excellent.
“We will fight the process all the way to the Supreme Court to ensure that the process that will produce the next Governor of Delta State will be excellent, I am confident.”
The Petitioner’s counsel, Barr. Steven I. Nwogu, said they intend to respond to the application within two days.
He further stressed that, “We don’t mind how much it takes, but the most important thing is that we are looking for victory and at the end of the Supreme Court the victory will come”.
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The defense counsel, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Kehinde Ogunwumiju SAN, filed an application seeking the termination of his petition.
They argued that Ken Pela’s petition was deemed abandoned, saying that the petitioners was to failed a pre-hearing notice within seven days from when the last respondent on the matter filed his reply which elapsed on Monday.
Similarly, the Counsel of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Robert Emukperuo SAN, also sought the dismisal of the petition on the same grounds.
The three-man Tribunal panel headed by Justice C.H. Ahuchaogu, who earlier stepped down the matter till 1pm, adjourned to 24 June, 2023 for hearing of the applications.