By Austin Ogwuda
THE Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Ede Dafinone has described last Saturday’s local government election in Delta as a complete sham, just as the Labour Party Chairmanship candidate, Dr. Augustine Ojogbo said “I cannot in good conscience accept the results of an election that was conducted in such a fraudulent manner”.
Dafinone said “It’s very unfortunate that people at the grassroots level are prevented from participating in our democratic process by state governors to freely elect their councillors and council chairmen.
“It is very unfortunate and sad how low our people can go to acquire power. It’s even more troubling that after 25 years in our democratic experiment we can’t conduct what looks like an election at local government level.
“What took place in Delta State on Saturday to all intent and purpose can’t be classified as an election. It’s a complete sham and an affront on all known democratic ideals.
“As predicted by political watchers that the Delta State PDP-led government is incapable of conducting free, fair and credible elections, DISEC proved all of us right. Because there were reports across the State that electoral materials, particularly results sheet were not supplied to many polling units and in some cases, wards where they consider as strongholds of the opposition, voting materials were not supplied at all”, he alleged.
Labour Party Chairmanship Candidate kicks
Chairmanship candidate under the platform of the Labour Party (LP), Dr. Augustine Isikwei Ojogbo in a press statement said, “I am deeply disheartened by the blatant disregard for democracy that we witnessed in today’s election.
“It is clear that this election was marred by significant flaws, including late arrival of voting materials, votes buying, double voting, stuffing of ballot boxes, intimidation, illegal voting in non-designated places and compromised electoral officers who are mostly PDP card carrying members.
“These actions”, he went on, “undermine the integrity of our electoral process and have robbed the people of Aniocha North LGA of their right to a free and fair election.
“As a candidate who dedicated my time and effort to serving the people of this community, I cannot, in good conscience, accept the results of an election that was conducted in such a fraudulent manner.
I stand with the people of Aniocha North LGA in condemning these actions and I call for outright cancellation of today’s polls in the following Wards: 1(Obior), 4 (Onicha-Ukwu), 5 (Issele-Azagba), 8 (Ugboko- Chairmanship) 9 (Idumuje-Unor) and 14 (Ezi) of Aniocha-North Local Government Area of Delta State as conducted by DSIEC.
“I also call for a rescheduling of elections in Wards 2 (Onitsha-Ugbo), 15 (Onitsha-Ugbo), 8 (Ugboko- Councillor) and 16 (Idumogo and Ugboba) where election never took place.
“I urge the electoral commission (DSIEC ) to take swift and decisive action to conduct a fresh poll in these affected areas to rectify the issues that plagued today’s election and ensure that the rights of the people are protected”.
Recall that Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas representing Delta South Senatorial District also strongly condemned the Delta State Independence Electoral Commission (DSIEC) for failing to release sensitive electoral materials including result sheets and ballot papers for today’s (Saturday) local government council elections.
Speaking in Emede, Isoko South, Delta State, Nigeria, Senator Joel-Onowakpo accused DSIEC of colluding with the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to deny citizens their fundamental right to vote, effectively rendering the election invalid.
Announcing the results on Sunday, July 14, in Asaba at the headquarters of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC), the Chairman, Dr. Jerry Agbaike said PDP won in 499 electoral wards, while the Allied People’s Movement (APM) won in one ward in Akwukwu-Igbo, Oshimili North Local Government Area.
Dr. Agbaike further announced that the Charmanship election did not hold in Udu LGA as the PDP Candidate, Chief Vincent Oyibode emerged unopposed as the Council Chairman.
He insisted that the Commission conducted free and fair elections.