By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
The Member representing Oshimili South State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, Saturday hailed the State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba for upholding her victory.
Anyafulu stated this while reacting to the judgment in an interview with journalists at the Asaba Court premises immediately after the judgement, saying it is time for quality representation.
The tribunal had on Saturday, dismissed the petition brought before it by Mr Sualeze Paul Eluaka of the All Progressive Congress, (APC), challenging the victory of Bridget Anyafulu during the March 18, 2023 State Assemblies Election.
The Chairman of of the three man panel of the tribunal, Justice Catherine Ogunsola, who read the judgement while dismissing the case in Asaba said that the petitioner’s case lacks merit and that he failed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt.
The panel member further said that the evidence brought before the tribunal by the petitioner are not admissible in the eye of the law.
Anyafulu, flanked by her supporters, said she would partner with relevant stakeholders to address challenges in the area through legislation and appealed to all stakeholders to understand that they need to reduce tension because they are peace Loving and law abiding citizens.
While disclosing that the APC petitioner is her brother and a family contest, the lawmaker said that with the judgement could have gone to any side, promising to channel her energy to impact on the lives of her constituents positively.
“It’s time to bring the desired change to Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State. This, I will do, through quality representation of my constituents, who demonstrated a high level of confidence in my ability to represent them during the March 18 polls.
“The petition was a huge distraction, but I am glad that the coast is now clear for me to begin to dialogue with my people on the ways forward.”
The renowned human rights crusader said that her long-time ambition was to see positive transformation in the local government area through investment in sustainable development initiatives.
“I know the problem because I have been with the people; I know the challenges and the aspiration of the people. I am also aware of the present situation in the country and what our people are passing through, in terms of poverty and insecurity, including the deficit in human, physical and infrastructural development.
“All these are on my table, and I will work with my people to see how, together, we will turn things around for the good of all,” she said.
She thanked the tribunal for upholding justice, which she said, has restored people’s confidence in the judiciary in protecting the rights of the common man.
“This is a win for democracy and a win for my people who stood by me during the elections and prayed for me throughout the sittings at the tribunal. It is now time to prove to my constituents that they made the right choice when they elected me to represent them and that I will do to the best of my abilities,” she said.
On why her party, the PDP did not mobilize Party members just like the APC faithful that crowded the court venue like a rally, the lawmaker said “My Party, PDP believe in the Court process so they don’t need to come here but to allow the process to take its place” she posited
