BEVERLY HILLS, October 27, (THEWILL) – Despite widespread protest by members of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) has declared the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of 23 Local Government councils in the Local Government elections conducted weekend in the state.
DSIEC’s Chairman, Moses Ogbe, who declared the results on Sunday however cancelled the results of Ndokwa East council, citing violence just as he declared Ethiope East council area’s election as inconclusive.
Ogbe said the local government election would serve as a litmus test to all Nigerians, especially as the 2015 general election approaches.
But the state chapter of APC has called for the cancellation of the entire voting result.
This came as the DSIEC boss also declared the PDP chairmanship candidates in Ethiope West and Patani council areas as returned unopposed because, according to him, none of the opposition political parties in the areas fielded candidates.
Releasing the earlier results, Ogbe said that the ruling PDP won in Uvwie, Aniocha North, Ika South-East, Patani, Sapele, Ethiope West, Burutu, Oshimili North, Ndokwa West, Udu, Okpe, Ika South, Bomadi and Warri North, Isoko North, Ughelli South, Warri South, Oshimili South, Ughelli North, Ukwuani and Warri South-West. This results were released around 5:pm.
The results of Isoko South Local Government which was won by PDP candidate was the last to be declared by the DSIEC boss.
THEWILL learnt that apprehension had gripped supporters of the PDP candidate in the council area following the late arrival of results from the council area but immediately the name of the Isoko South PDP candidate was announced around 10:30hrs, there was tumultuous jubilation around the commission’s headquarters in Asaba.
The DSIEC Chairman hailed the conduct of the election by the commission, describing it as peaceful but however accused some politicians of trying to foment trouble to disrupt the election processes.
“Well ahead of time, we distributed the non-sensitive materials and we also received the sensitive materials and deposited them at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Between Wednesday and Friday, the commission carried out the sorting of the materials and by Friday between 2pm and 3pm, all the materials meant for the election went to the 25 council areas,” Ogbe said.
Addressing newsmen shortly after, Isoko South Chairman, Hon Itiako Constantine Ikpokpo, expressed delight over the conduct of the election while promising his people purposeful governance.
“My responsibility is to try as much as possible to spread the dividends of democracy to our people according to my campaign slogan which is ‘It’s possible, let’s Do it,” Ikpokpo said.
Meanwhile, the APC has faulted the conduct of the election and called for its cancellation.
A statement by the state APC’s Publicity Secretary , Isaac Adaka Adakpo, said; “The elections across the state, local governments and wards were marred by violence and PDP-Police collusion and corruption of Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) officials. Army troops were used to intimidate the people.
“The conduct of the elections was against the promises of honour and personal integrity of the DSIEC Chairman, Moses Ogbe, who was at one time, Resident Electoral Commissioner in Lagos State.
“The PDP, fearing defeat, went on rampage with thugs, burning, maiming and killing. Over 36 cars were destroyed in Koko by the PDP army of violence. Many other properties were destroyed.
“In Isoko South and North, the violence unleashed saw many people hospitalised. The trail of sorrow, tears and bloodshed left behind by the PDP in the LG elections cannot be said to be compliant with the law or in accordance with the assurances given by the DSIEC Chairman that elections of one-man-one-vote shall be held.
“APC therefore called for the cancellation of the entire exercise at once.”
