The appellate court in a judgement on Monday quashed the decision of the Delta State Election Petitions Tribunal which nullified the election of Manager as the senator representing the area.
The tribunal had nullified the Delta South election and declared that a fresh election be held in the district within 90 days of the judgement in a petition filed by former Governor Uduaghan that the election was marred by irregularities.
Uduaghan had told the tribunal that the exercise was not marred by irregularities but the election did not also complied with the electoral guidelines.
But in a unanimous decision by the Justice A Jauro-led appeal panel on Monday upturned the decision of the tribunal and affirmed that Senator Manager of the PDP won the election.
However, Uduaghan, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election, took to his Facebook to thank everyone who supported his senatorial ambition all through the electioneering period to the appeal court.
According to him, in every battle, “home enemies are the most dangerous.”
The Itsekiri-born medical doctor, however, congratulated Senator Manager on the appeal judgement upholding his election.
“Thanks to ALL who were in the trenches with me. Home enemies are the most dangerous in any struggle!Congrats Sen J. E. Manager”, Uduaghan said in the post.
READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
PRESS RELEASE
THE JOURNEY WAS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE OUTCOME
Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing ~Vince Lombardi
It is no longer news that the outcome of today’s Appeal Court judgement did not go in my favour as the judgement of the Election Petitions Tribunal in Asaba was set aside by the Appellate Court sitting in Benin City.
I want to first appreciate everyone who were in the trenches with me throughout this journey. Please do not despair. There is no winning or losing, but rather the value is in the experience of imagining yourself as a character in whatever genre you’re involved in, whether it is politics or any other endeavor. I cherish the input of everyone -family, friends, political party, supporters and the good people of Delta South Senatorial District.
I am happy that throughout the elections and the tribunals, our peaceful process as a Senatorial District was tested. Recall I withdrew from the race in 2014 as a result of the threat to peace. In 2019 however, an itsekiri man could campaign freely in Ijaw area and an Ijaw man could campaign freely in itsekiri area. Itsekiris voted for Ijaws, and Ijaws voted for Itsekiris. There was no case of violence anywhere. For me this is a big victory for peace in our Senatorial District.
The loss at the Appeal Court today, was as a result of a pre-election matter that the court entertained. This was a matter that was not addressed at the lower tribunal, which ought to be the first place that any prayer whatsoever relating to election matters should have been introduced. Well, the judiciary has had their say and I have accepted the outcome in good faith.
I must put it on record that; for me, this was a period of experiencing the “enemy within ” at another level.
I have formally called my brother, Sen James Manager to congratulate him.
My brother, Sen James E. Manager, congratulations once more on your victory. I wish you well as you represent our people at the hollowed Chamber again.
The contest is over now, it is in the past. I urge my supporters to put this behind them and focus on the future which holds a lot in store for all of us.
God bless you!
God bless Delta South!!
God bless Nigeria!!!
Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON.
Immediate Past Governor of Delta State.