TELL Magazine

The Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Asaba has been forced to adjourn, albeit temporarily due to power outage. The tribunal is billed to deliver judgment in the petition filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Great Ovadje Ogboru against the victory of Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, incumbent governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the March 9, 2019 governorship election. 

About 10 minutes into the proceeding after the various counsels had announced their appearances, the chairman of the three-man panel, Suleman Belgore who was visibly uncomfortable with the heat in the courtroom following power outage, announced that “it seems that we cannot continue because of this heat.” Efforts to switch-on the generator in the court premises were unsuccessful forcing an adjournment around 10.30 am for 10 minutes. Top officials of the state government were seen making frantic efforts to save the situation.

Power was, however, not restored until 11.05 while the tribunal members resumed proceedings at 11.15.