Delta Assembly: Appeal court upholds Alphonsus Ojo’s victory

The Court of Appeal in the Benin Judicial Division holding in Benin City, Edo State, has affirmed the declaration of Hon Alphonsus Ojo as the winner of the April 11 2015 State House of Assembly election for Ukwuani State Constituency.

The Labour Party Candidate in the said election, Mr Eze Anthony Omolu had approached the appellate court challenging the decision of the State and National Assemblies Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba which had on 10th August 2015 dismissed the petition for lacking competent having been abandoned at the pre-hearing stage.

The three member Justices of the Court of Appeal in the nineteen paged judgement upheld the decision of the Tribunal dismissing the petition and affirmed the declaration of Hon Alphonsus Ojo as the duly elected candidate for the House of Assembly election for Ukwuani State Constituency.

The judgment delivered by Justice Ogakwu Anthony Ugochukwu stated that the appeal against the earlier judgement of the Tribunal was totally devoid of merit and announced fifty thousand Naira cost against the appellants.

Reacting to the Appeal Court judgment, Hon Alphonsus Ojo who expressed gratitude to God over the development, described the ruling as victory for democracy, the rule of law and the good people of Ukwuani local government area.

Hon Ojo stated that he has since extended the hands of fellowship to those who took him to court over his declaration as the winner of the election, noting that what is uppermost now is moving the constituency forward.

The lawmaker commended his constituents for the confidence reposed on him, pointing out the negative effects of incessant litigations at most election contest which he said were draw backs in the quest for growth and development.

Hon Ojo appealed to the people to keep faith with the Senator Ifeanyi Okowa’s led government in Delta State in moving the state forward and for more dividends of democracy to Ukwuani local government area.