Supreme Court judgement, victory for Deltans – Bashorun Askia

Former Managing Director of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and the Udu of Isoko Nation, Bashorun Askia Ogieh JP, has described the judgement of the Supreme Court reaffirming the mandate of Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori as Governor of Delta State as not just a victory for him and the PDP but mostly for all Deltans.

Bashorun Askia said this in a congratulatory statement to Governor Oborevwori, pointing out that with the victory and closure of all litigations on the election, Deltans are relieved and assured of the continuity of Oborevwori’s great works for the development of the state as have been witnessed since he assumed office.

Askia who joined Governor Oborevwori alongside top government functionaries, PDP leaders, supporters, traditional and religious leaders amongst various distinguished Deltans for a thanksgiving at the Government House Chapel, Asaba, after the pronouncement of the judgment, said everything surrounding the Governor shows that his mandate was from God.

The statement read:

“I congratulate His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, on this historic victory. Winning all the 38 cases instituted against him over the election shows that his mandate is ordained by God who also has enabled him to run through troops and scale high walls.

Bashorun Askia Ogieh

“We never fainted in our faith that, though the enemies may come like a flood, the Almighty God will raise a standard against them in defence of His own. This He has done and we return all the glory to Him.

“From the beginning of the electoral process, we never waved in our conviction that Oborevwori was the right person for the job, the choice of God and of the people. The people confirmed this with their overwhelming votes for him and the PDP at the polls.

“As we can see, the Tribunal and the courts at all levels have affirmed this with consistency, and we must commend our judges and the judiciary for the hope they bring us in upholding truth and justice.

“What is even more interesting is that Oborevwori’s excellence in the formulation and execution of policies, projects and programmes for the development of the state and the well-being of the people, even in the face of the distractions, demonstrates commitment, focus and capacity to deliver.

“His victory is, therefore, a victory for the people, otherwise the pace of development, peace, security and advancement we are witnessing under his administration would not only have been truncated but retarded.

“I also congratulate the entire membership and leadership of the PDP for holding together while the processes lasted, especially our father, the immediate past Governor, His Excellency, Sen Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who lead always from the front and with calm inspiration.”