'Dead man' testifies against APC at Delta Election Tribunal

“They interviewed me during which I gave them evidence that I was alive. They then assured me that I could not be substituted because I was alive. They said that they were not happy over the issue, asking why the APC of all party did such a thing. They said I should meet the APC national chairman who signed the letter of substitution to revoke it.” 

Acting on the INEC advice, Anirah said he went to the national chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, who he said apologised and promised to call a meeting to discuss the matter in order to have the substitution letter revoked, adding that as it turned out, that was never to be.

“What I saw was that on March 27, a day to my election, Oyegun, Cyril and Otega conspired and went back to submit the same letter to INEC that I was dead and then submitted the same forged death certificate. 

“On the strength of that, INEC headquarters then wrote to its office in Asaba, Delta State, that I was dead and should be substituted. I was informed at 8 am on the day of the election that I had been replaced.”

The complainant added that since then he had been making efforts to have the alleged culprits arrested all to no avail.  

“I want Nigerians to help me fight this injustice, because if they let these people succeed it could be another person tomorrow. It is unfair and inhuman for a man that is alive to be technically erased from the surface of this earth. 

“My mother, children and friends are yet to get over the shock they experienced when they got the news that I was dead,” he added. 

Meanwhile, Oboro in her preliminary objection filed from Peter Mrakpor’s Chembers, is asking  the Tribunal to dismiss Akporehe’s petition for lack of merit, saying it is an abuse of court process.

Justice Adebukola  adjourned the matter to 12 August, 2015 for adoption of objections and written addresses.  ‎

Akporehe of APC approached the Tribunal challenging the declaration of Oboro of the PDP as winner of the 28 March National Assembly election by the INEC. 

Joined in the suit are; Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Resident Electoral Commission (REC), PDP and eight others.