By Eseoghene Emuke
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of Delta State, Dr. Cyril Omorogbe says neither he nor his office is aware of any court judgement nullifying the nomination of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan as the Delta South Senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in this Saturday’s rescheduled election.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday at the commission’s state headquarters in Asaba, Omorogbe said his office does handle legal action for INEC neither has him received any directive that Uduaghan was no longer the candidate of APC for Delta South.
It was alleged that an Abuja High Court had nullified the primary election of APC for Delta South for non-conformity with relevant sections of Electoral Act.
Answering question from journalists on the Uduaghan’s case, the Delta REC said, “In Asaba we don’t actually handle most of those judgements, it is actually done in Abuja. I am particularly aware of one in Warri area where the judgment was in ten wards that now became twelve wards, and it wanted us to revert back to ten wards.
“This information came last week, and it was not the best time to address it. So we were able to postpone it till after the election for discussion.
“In terms of the number of court judgments, I have never taken the time to start counting them. I am aware of the judgment for Ethiope West but I will not talk on it until I get something from the commission in terms of a formal letter telling us what it is.
Omorogbe also denied allegation that he was posted to Delta on the directive of the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole to unseat Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, whom the APC chair boasted to oust in 2019 general elections.
He assured that INEC would provide credible and fair elections irrespective of the actors involved.
“I have never met Adams Oshiomhole in my life. I left Edo State over 30 years ago, I have never seen Oshiomhole. I am not here to side any party, I am here to run a free and fair election. I don’t really answer to anyone, I will definitely do my best, and my doors are open.
“I am from Edo State, part of it has to do with the fact that I don’t have any stake, it does not bother me, I just want the best for the state where I work,” he stressed.
