Governor Sherrif Oborevwori of Delta State expressed his disagreement with the acceptance of 3,728 forms from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), specifically forms EC25B, EC40A, EC40B, and EC40C, which were submitted across all 25 local government areas of the state.
The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, presented these forms to the state Election Petition Tribunal. However, Oborevwori’s counsel, Samson Egege, who is the second respondent, and Ekeme Ohwovoriole, SAN, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the third respondent, objected to the admission of these documents. They chose to reserve the details of their objections for their final written addresses. Vanguard reported.
During the tribunal hearing, Omo-Agege’s counsel, Bello Abu, acting on behalf of A. K. Osawota, requested to submit the INEC forms as evidence. Abu stated that the forms were a reflection of the schedule filed on July 10, 2023. According to Abu, there were 1,036 forms of EC25B, 941 forms of EC40A, 880 forms of EC40B, and 871 forms of EC40C.
Additionally, Abu provided receipts of payment for certified true copies (CTCs) of the EC25 and EC40 series forms. He also presented the original copy of the INEC manual for electoral officers, as well as the CTC of the INEC regulations and guidelines for the conduct of the 2022 election, along with the receipts of payments.
The counsel representing the second and third respondents did not raise objections to the INEC regulations and guidelines for the conduct of the 2022 election.
The three-man tribunal, led by Justice C. Ahuchaogu, admitted the documents as exhibits and adjourned the sitting to July 24 for the continuation of the hearing.
