Tribunal dismisses petition against Delta Speaker

By Austin Oyibode

The National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Asaba, Wednesday, upheld the election of Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. Igbuya represents Sapele State Constituency in the House.

His election was challenged by Felix Anirah of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who claimed to have won the election against the Speaker, but the tribunal dismissed his petition and upheld Igbuya’s victory.

Igbuya, who was highly elated, commended the Chairman and members of the tribunal for satisfying the electorate by dismissing the petition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate, Chief Felix Anirah.

The Speaker, who lauded the judiciary for dismissing the petition of Anirah, described the election of 11th April, 2015 as the most transparent in the history of Sapele.

“Elections are not won on the pages of newspapers or through noise making. Those banking their hopes on the judiciary to occupy space at the Delta State House of Assembly should stop deceiving themselves. It is a victory for the people of Sapele, our democracy and the rule of law.”

He thanked the people of Sapele Local Government Area for their support while urging Anirah to join hands with him in attracting development to the area.

“We thank the Almighty God for our triumph at the tribunal. This victory is a call to greater service and sustained commitment to the good people of Delta State”.

The National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba on Wednesday upheld INEC’s return of Rt. Hon Ovwigho Igbuya as House of Assembly member-elect.

Igbuya had defeated Anirah in the April 11 House of Assembly election but the APC candidate rejected the result and approached the tribunal to have the election nullified.