Ken Pela debunks rumour of Abandoning Petition against PDP

By Ajuwa Victor

Labour Party Governorship Aspirant, Hon. Ken Pela has debunked the rumour of him abandoning his petition against the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Speaking to newsmen during the Tribunal Sitting in Asaba, he disclosed that the members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, told the Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting that Ken Pela abandoned his petition and was fully compensated.

Though the Counsel of the PDP and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, filed an application seeking the termination of his petition.

They argued that Ken Pela’s petition was deemed abandoned, saying that the petitioners failed to file a pre-hearing notice seven days from when the last respondent on the matter filed his reply which elapsed on Monday.

Similarly, the Counsel of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Robert Emukperuo SAN, also sought the dismisal of the petition on the same grounds.

Counsel of the petitioner, S. I Nwogu said they intend to respond to the application within two days.

Pela in the petition, challenged the outcome of the March 18, 2023 governorship election, saying that he should be declared winner of the polls.

On the development, Pela said he neither withdrew or abandoned the petition “I didn’t abandon my petition; we will clarify whatever the issues are with our lawyer.”

On rumours that he had joined where he had been compensated, be said: “They did not see me coming, neither will they see me coming now. They kept thriving on rumours that l was given money, that l will step down, that Labour Party has joined PDP.

“My principal, Peter Obi said, if you want to be called His Excellency, the process by which you attain the position must be excellent”.

“We will fight the process all the way to the Supreme Court to ensure that the process that will produce the next Governor of Delta State will be excellent, I am confident”.

He added, We don’t mind how much it takes, but the most important thing is that we are looking for victory and at the end of the Supreme Court the victory will come”.

The three-man tribunal panel headed by Justice C.H. Ahuchaogu, who earlier stepped down the matter till 1pm, adjourned the sitting to 24 June, 2023 for hearing of the applications.