30th August, 2022
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reversed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, sacking Delta House Speaker Sheriff Oborevwori as the governorship candidate of the PDP.
A three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Peter Ige, held that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to have entertained the suit by David Edevbie on the grounds that the cause of action had not crystallised as at when the suit was filed.
The appellate court held that Edevbie failed to prove his claim that Oborevwori supplied false and forged academic credentials and other documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the governorship election.
The court added that Justice Taiwo Taiwo, now retired, who delivered the July 7, judgement, erred when he upheld Edevbie’s claims after finding that the cause of action has not crystallised because Oborevwori’s name was not yet submitted to INEC and published.
Edebvie is the candidate of former governor James Ibori.
In a reaction, Oborevwori called for unity among the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders toward winning the state 2023 governorship election.
“Today, the Appeal Court, Abuja has given judgement in my favour.
”This is our victory and it is for all of us because we are one family. Therefore, let us put the past behind us now and join forces together towards winning the main general elections for PDP in 2023″, he said in a statement by press secretary Mr Dennis Otu issued in Asaba.
“I have implicit confidence in our judicial system as it remains the last hope of the common man.
“I am so glad with the judgement of today. I commend the judiciary for this judgement. To God be the glory,” he said.
The Speaker, also the National Deputy Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, said that the judgement has further confirmed the judiciary as the last hope of a common man.
”This victory at the Appeal Court today is dedicated to our Almighty God and the people of the state”, he added.