Appeal court affirms Ibori’s daughter as winner of Delta rep seat

The court of appeal sitting in Lagos has affirmed the election of Erhriatake Ibori-Suenu as the lawmaker representing the Ethiope federal constituency in Delta state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Ibori-Suenu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the February 25 election with 20,814 votes.

Her closest challenger, Ben Igbakpa of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), secured 20,814 votes.

Ibori-Suenu’s election was challenged at the tribunal but she was declared the election winner.

At the appeal court on Tuesday, a three-member panel led by Festus Ogbuinaya, the judge, affirmed Ibori-Suenu’s election.

In upholding her election, the appellant court dismissed the petition of her challenger.

Reacting to the judgement, the lawmaker said the court’s verdict was a victory for God and her constituents.

Erhriatake, who chairs the house committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC), is the daughter of James Ibori, former governor of Delta state.