By Austin Ogwuda
ALTHOUGH, the electoral empire – Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) is presently confused or allegedly teleguided on when and how to conduct Local government elections in the State, however, there is growing apathy on the part of the opposing political parties.
While other numerous political parties are merely recognised on paper, some without official secretariats, permit me to narrow down to the visible existing two political parties – namely, The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP).
Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi of SDP, who had been voiciferous about the guber who fought through to the Supreme Court, is also not left out too.
It is on record that Gbagi who is a lawyer threw caution to the winds when he tongue-lashed the Learned Justices of the Supreme Court for that judgment he considered not to be okay with him, legally speaking.
Countdown to the coming LG elections, The Townhall Newspaper observed that these two opposition parties, which claim prominence, dominance and popularity within the political landscape of Delta State are not SERIOUSLY preparing to enter into the ring.
Yes, it is a known fact that virtually all over the country, the ruling political party of a given State is usually known to have the winning streak, the magic wand, acclaimed to be clearing ALL the Council seats, ‘won in a landslide’, the usual cliche, the question is that should the opposing political parties abandon the race, that is very important and fundamental, only surface during governorship elections?
Or is it not laughable that a political party will field governorship candidate without a single seat at Local government Council at least and expect wonders.
However, if Labour Party and APC in Delta State claiming to be popular during the last governorship election that brought Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori into office decided to fight the battle right to the highest Court in the land, Supreme Court of Nigeria where are they now?
Even after the Supreme Court gave its judgment regarded as the FINAL, the gubernatorial candidates for these two parties, Ovie Omo Agege of APC and Labour Party counterpart, were yet, not satisfied, claiming to have performed wonderfully but robbed of victory. The duo vowed never to drop their gloves and honourably step out of the boxing (election) arena.
Kawhariebie Ken Pela, candidate for Labour Party wrote this on the 21 st of January 2024 after the apex Court judgment.
“Though today marks the end of this chapter, let it be known that the journey to a better Delta is far from over. We will continue to strive, to fight, and to serve, for our cause is just and our spirit indomitable.
God is still God. He never fails and is never late so Delta most surely, shall be free from Otapiapia and Sniper.
A better Delta most surely is PO-ssible”.
Now the question is: if a political party is not showing serious concern to at least win one Councillorship seat in each of the twenty five local government areas of Delta State is it expecting that in 2027 the ‘obedient movement’ tsunami of 2023 will repeat itself?
The same question goes to Ovie Omo Agege who is still beating his chest that he was robbed of victory at the last guber.
Hear him, “I won the Delta governorship election conducted in March this year by INEC, clean and clear .
“All the manipulations carried out by PDP in collaboration with some staff of INEC have been exposed and will be used as exhibits in the court of Law
“I am determined to fight it all the way because the real valid votes scored by me in the election , are more than enough to declare me as the governor – elect”.
Dear DSP (Deputy Senate President) former, how many councillors are you promising to produce in the coming LG elections, forget Chairmanship first, deal with the low hanging fruits.
Political watchers would want to see these opposition parties, to at least, put up a fight if rigged out cry to The Townhall and other media platforms that are apolitical and objective, let the world know that you did your best, proving same with clinical evidence should DSIEC – electoral empire, which has started on a wrong footing muscle and or try to stop you.
The idea of shouting to high heavens that you are popular whereas you are not firmly rooted because it is believed that politics is local.
Now that the local government election is around the corner prove that capacity that you are popular, grassrooted because in actual sense is not that elite in that village or community who flies all over the country and abroad will determine winning. He or she won’t even go out to cast vote that day but the peasants, the rural dwellers.
So, opposition parties, particularly, Labour Party (Papa, Mama and Pickin) and APC prove your mettle about your supposed popularity and acceptance, leave the rest, trust The Townhall to help you cry to the world should the ruling party, PDP move to silence you.
But you cannot just sit at home shout yourself hoarse that the ruling party is intimidating or robbing you of victory, then expect sympathy or to be taken seriously, NO.
Then, you are a joker!