Court Sacks Ahwinawhi, Declare Tebite As PDP Candidate For Ughelli/Udu Federal Seat

Olorogun Taleb Tebite has been recognised as the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) legitimately nominated candidate for the 2023 general elections in the Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Udu Federal constituency by a Federal High Court in Asaba, Delta State.

Asserting that he won the party’s primary election held on May 22, 2022 at the Ughelli township stadium, Olorogun Tebite had sued the PDP, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and Chief Solomon Ahwinawhi.

After hearing the case, the presiding judge, Justice F.A. Olubanjo, issued a ruling that required the first defendant, the PDP, to replace Chief Solomon Ahwinawhi, who had been nominated as the party’s candidate for the Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Udu Federal Constituency of Delta State, with Hon. Tebite Taleb Avwerosuo Okpako.

In the ruling, Olubanjo further ordered the PDP to revoke the certificate of return given to Chief Solomon Ahwinawhi. 

Along with other things, the court mandated that Chief Solomon Ahwinawhi be dropped as the PDP candidate and that his name be taken off of INEC’s portal.

In a statement following the decision, Olorogun Tebite expressed his reaction, saying: “Let me begin by sincerely thanking the Almighty God for his mercies and grace throughout this election process.

“Secondly, I want to express my gratitude to everyone for their unwavering perseverance and faith in our fight for justice, equity, and fair play within our wonderful party. Once more, the Nigerian judicial system has shown that it is a ray of hope for the country’s great citizens.

“This is a victory for us as a party and I seize the opportunity to call on all those that contested with me, especially those with whom we were in litigation, to put the past behind us so that, collectively, we can ensure that we win the elections for the PDP.”

“To our numerous supporters, I want to sincerely thank you for keeping faith and believing in me towards ensuring that our constituency benefits from the dividends of democracy. In this case, I wish to state clearly that there is no victor or vanquished.

“Our doors have been open and shall remain open for all and sundry in this quest for the upliftment of the living standards of the great people of our constituency.”

“Finally, I want to thank the entire leaders of our party, especially the Governor, for ensuring internal democracy in our party, our constituents, and indeed all Deltans, for their support and show of love in this electioneering process.”