The election petition tribunal in Asaba has rejected an application brought forth by All Progressive Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Ovie Omo-Agege, demanding a recount of the ballots from the March 18 governorship election in Delta State. Omo-Agege is contesting the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Sheriff Oborevwori from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the election winner.
Ballot papers were presented as evidence at the tribunal on Monday by a witness from INEC. Alex Iziyon (SAN), the petition’s counsel, made an oral application for the ballots to be counted, which was opposed by Damian Dodo and Ekeme Ohwovoriole, counsels to the second and third respondents, respectively.
The three-man tribunal panel, led by Justice C.H. Ahuchaogu, ruled that an oral application could not be used for such discretion. The judge stated, “There is no merit in this oral application for recount and it is hereby dismissed.”
Iziyon had urged the tribunal to grant the application in the interest of justice, stating that it would benefit all parties. However, Dodo countered that the petitioner had not established a case for a ballot recount, arguing that someone unsatisfied with the election results must first request a recount at the polling unit. He noted that nowhere in the 102-page petition did the petitioner demand a recount at any of the 1,333 polling units in question, nor seek relief for a recount of ballot papers.
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