Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Friday, congratulated Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) as the winner of the March 18, 2023, governorship election in Delta.

Mr Omo-Agege’s felicitation message, signed by him, was made available to journalists in Asaba in his reaction to the Supreme Court verdict that affirmed Mr Oborevwori’s victory in the election on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Oborevwori, in the March 18, 2023 election, defeated Mr Omo-Agege, winning 21 local government areas (LGAs) out of 25 LGAs as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Since then, the APC candidate contested the election but failed to upturn the victory from the tribunals, through the Appeal Court and finally at the Supreme Court.

Mr Omo-Agege, in his statement after the Supreme Court verdict, said: “To my dear brother, His Excellency, Rt. Honourable Sherrif Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State, accept my congratulations on your victory today.

“It has been a long-drawn-out struggle to offer our people the best in the governance of our State.

“It is about the collective interest and good of our people, not our personal interest.

“Having now received the Supreme Court’s seal of approval, I must wish you well as a democrat.

“May the good Lord guide and abide with you and give you good health, strength and wisdom to govern our State well in Jesus’ Name”.

He, however, said that his effort to upturn Mr Oborevwori’s victory was disallowed by the Supreme Court but affirmed the return of Oborevwori as duly elected governor of Delta.

“As the final court of the land, all citizens are bound to accept and abide by its decisions even if they do not accord with their personal or collective expectations of justice.

“So, we ask our people to respect today’s decision and give their best to promote peace everywhere in our beloved Delta State.

“The unity, peace, and general good of our dear state are bigger and more important than any individual or group interest.

“Having responsibly and fully played our role in principled defence of our fervent belief in the truth, honour and justice of our case and cause as democrats;

“We must now yield all to posterity, even as we thank God Almighty, who gave us the grace to stand in the first place,” Mr Omo-Agege said.

Mr Omo-Agege, who was the immediate past Deputy Senate President, thanked his wife and children and entire family for their huge sacrifices in his quest to offer innovative and caring leadership to the people of Delta.

“I am particularly immensely grateful to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his genuine commitment and extraordinary support for our cause as the leader of our great party, the APC and a great statesman.

“Further, I sincerely thank the National Working Committee (NWC) and, indeed, the entire national leadership of our party, ably led by His Excellency Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, for their unwavering support.

“We are equally grateful to the Delta State Executive Committee of the APC under the leadership of Elder Omeni Sobotie for its dedication to duty, godly counsel, and support.

“We are also eternally grateful to our Campaign Organisation which, devotedly led by Elder Godsday Orubebe as Director-General, championed our campaign everywhere in Delta for a better State and country”.

He also expressed his gratitude to members of the legal team led by Mr Robert Emokpoeruo (SAN) for their extraordinary scholarship, industry and commitment to the course of justice.

“In the same way, we thank all our respected political, religious, community, business, professional, and youth leaders, great friends and indeed all our party members and supporters for all they did to support us. May the good Lord bless you all.

“To my dear and dependable brother and running mate, the Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi, thank you for your strong character and firm belief in God, who gives power as it pleases Him alone.

“We ran a great race. Hold your head high as a man of honour. I pray the Almighty God rewards your faithfulness and loyalty beyond ordinary human comprehension.”

(NAN)