Delta Tribunal: PDP, Speaker shun inspection of electoral material

DELTA-The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate for Sapele state constituency and the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Monday Igbuya and his party PDP, has once again shunned the tribunal order for joint inspection of electoral material use in the conduct of the April 11, 2015 house of assembly election in Sapele.

The All Progressives Congress, APC candidate in Delta State, for Sapele constituency in the April 11, 2015 election, Hon. Felix Anirah has dragged the PDP candidate Mr Monday Igbuya, to the State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal Holden at Asaba challenging the declaration of Mr Igbuya as the to the winner of the election.

The Chairman of the Delta State House of Assembly tribunal; Hon. Justice A. A. I Banjoko had granted an order on July 8, 2015, for a joint inspection of the ballot boxes, ballot papers, used in all the Ward/Polling Units that make up the entire Constituency.

The court also made an order directing a recount   with particular reference to votes of the 1^st Petitioner/Applicant and the 1^st Respondent/Respondent, following a motion on notice filed by the counsel to the petitioner Barr. Ikhide Ehighelua dated July 6^th, 2015.

Addressing newsmen in Sapele INEC office, counsel to the petitioner represented by Barr. Bukola Asema, frown at an attempt by the PDP candidate and INEC official to frustrate the petitioners by refusing to honour the tribunal order of joint inspection.

According to her, “we all agreed to meet here at INEC office in Sapele by 9 am, on July 21st-22^nd for joint inspection, but the Electoral Officer, Mrs. Obasi Chinyere failed to show up on those two days. And we went back to the tribunal for an extension, which was granted, and July 28-29^th was fixed for the joint inspection, but as you can see the PDP candidate and his representative shunned the inspection yesterday and today.”

She added that, this was a clear case of disobeying a lawful court order, noting that they will report back to the court since his client is a law abiding citizen who believes in judicial process.

Attempt to speak to the EO, Mrs. Obasi was unsuccessful as she failed to address press on the situation, however and INEC official told this reporter in confidence that they will write and send the report to their office, which will communicate to the court.