Thomas Joel-Onowakpo, the candidate of All Progressive Congress, APC for Isoko Federal Constituency, on Friday, said the votes of Isoko people allegedly stolen during the National Assembly election of February 23, would be reclaimed.
Onowakpo said his determination to reclaim the mandate through the tribunal was still on course, quoting Yogi Berra, he said, “it ain’t over till it’s over”.
He spoke in reaction to the tribunal judgment which affirmed his closest rival, Leo Okuweh Ogor as winner of the election.
Expressing shock over the outcome of the election petition tribunal, the APC candidate during the election said, “despite all the evidences and the glaring facts of the irregularities perpetrated by the INEC officials presented by our Legal team, they decided to affirm an election that was marked by massive irregularities”.
Onowakpo said the judgment was just a “minor setback which shall not prevent us from reclaiming our stolen mandate. It is not over, until it is over”.
According to him, in a statement posted on his verified facebook page, “Our Legal team is studying the judgement and in the next few days we shall take an appropriate decision on the next line of action.
He however thank his teeming supporters for their love and show of enthusiasm in reclaiming the mandate, saying that despite the short notice, they mobilised to the premises of the Tribunal in solidarity.
“I also thank the entire APC family in Isoko Federal Constituency for their prayers, steadfastness and commitment to reclaiming our mandate. You are truly uncommon men and women of Isoko extraction.
“I wish to assure you that today’s judgment will not stand the test of time because we will reclaim our mandate in due time. The speeding up the development of Isoko Nation is still very much on course. Isoko Nation will not remain stagnant for another four years.
“It will end in praise”, he wrote.
