The Supreme Court has delivered its verdict on an appeal filed by Ikie Aghwarianovwe, a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeking the disqualification of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori from the 2023 Delta State governorship election. The court, in a unanimous judgment by Justice Emmanuel Agim, dismissed the appeal on grounds of lacking merit.
Justice Agim, in delivering the judgment, stated that Aghwarianovwe failed to provide sufficient evidence to substantiate his case beyond a reasonable doubt. The court emphasized that the mere existence of minor variations in names does not amount to falsity. Furthermore, Justice Agim highlighted that an error in the date of birth on a certificate, not proven to have originated from the respondent, cannot be deemed as false.
Consequently, the Supreme Court judges ruled in favor of Governor Oborevwori, affirming his eligibility to contest in the forthcoming governorship election in Delta State. The court also imposed costs on Ikie Aghwarianovwe, ordering him to pay N3 million each to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Oborevwori.
This judgment brings clarity and resolves the legal challenge against Governor Oborevwori’s candidacy, allowing him to continue his preparations for the upcoming election. The ruling reaffirms the importance of presenting substantial evidence when making claims that challenge the eligibility of political candidates.
