Tribunal Sacks Delta South Senator, Orders Rerun Within 90 Days

The Senatorial Election Tribunal sitting in Asaba, the Delta State capital, on Wednesday, sacked the lawmaker representing Delta South, Senator Thomas Onowakpo.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Michael Diden, had approached the tribunal with his petition seeking the disqualification of the APC candidate.

He argued that the electoral body did not follow the Electoral Act before declaring APC winner of the election.

The tribunal Chairman, Justice Catherine Ogunsola, ruled that Onowakpo’s certificate of return be withdrawn.

The tribunal ordered INEC to conduct a supplementary election in Warri South Local Government Area of the state within 90 days.

Speaking shortly after the judgment, INEC counsel, Clark Ekpebe, said they would study the judgment, adding that they still had the option of an appeal.

He said: “The judgment has been given and we will go home and study the judgment. We have been asked to withdraw his certificate of return and conduct a supplementary election within 90 days.

“We have 60 days in the 90 days. Don’t forget we have an option of appealing the case.”