By Eseoghene Emuke
Hon. Evelyn Oboro, senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 23, 2019 National Assembly Elections, has accused the Justice A. M. Abubakar-led Election Petitions Tribunal Panel 1 of plots to frustrate her efforts to appeal Saturday’s judgement affirming Senator Ovie Omo-Agege’s election victory.
She particularly accused the tribunal of declining to give her counsel a copy of the judgement knowing full well that, that election petitions are time bound and could frustrate her quest to seek redress at the Court of Appeal.
In a statement issued on Sunday reacting to the Saturday’s judgement, the two-time former member representing Okpe, Uvwie and Sapele Federal Constituency, vowed to challenge the judgement of panel sitting in Asaba which struck out her four prayers for lacking merits.
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The National Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal presided by Justice Abubakar had on Saturday upheld the re-election of Senator Omo-Agege, who is currently the Deputy President of the Senate.
But Oboro in a statement signed by her Director of Media and Publicity, Mr Sunday Apah, expressed dissatisfaction over the judgement which dismissed her petition challenging the outcome of the Delta Central Senatorial election.
The former federal lawmaker especially frowned at the refusal by the tribunal to make available the copy of the judgment despite applying for same as the elections related matters are time bound.
Oboro said, “Our petition was the first petition filed before the registry of the tribunal and also the first petition where trial was commenced and concluded. it is worthy of note that we were abruptly forced to close our case by the tribunal despite having witnesses who had not testified.
“Trial in the petition was concluded on 17th of June, 2019 but it took the tribunal more than two months before it could deliver judgment knowing full well that election matters are time bound.
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“The same tribunal delivered judgment in a matter which had not even commenced at the time trial in our case was already concluded.
“We have decided to appeal the judgment and copy of the judgment needed by our counsel to file Notice of Appeal is not yet ready after closure of our case over two months ago and the Tribunal is aware of it as time has started running.”
The PDP chieftain, while appealing to her supporters to remain calm as the gross injustice called judgment will be set aside by the Court of Appeal, saying that she would be declared winner of the election as she alleged that she clearly defeated Senator Omo-Agege at the poll.
The statement also appealed to the tribunal to urgently make available copy of the judgment in order to reclaim the mandate which was given to her by majority of the electorate in the district who overwhelmingly supported her ambition to represent them.
