By Chijioke Ugbolue, Patrick Ochei, Chukwudi Abiandu, Abel Johngold
Delta State, yesterday, Saturday 13th July, 2024, held the Local Government election across the 25 council areas of the State amidst commendations over the peaceful conduct.
Monitoring the election in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the State, some select journalists sought the opinions of some political leaders with regards to the election, where they particularly commended the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) for living up to expectations.
The immediate past Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu who voted at the Kanidinma Primary School Onicha-Uku, under Ward One, said the turnout of voters was impressive.
He acknowledged the enormous role of DSIEC in the area of voter education and of course, its proactive arrangement for security.
Elumelu further conformed the impressive nature of the election to the character, capacity and competence of the PDP Chairmanship candidate, Hon. Emma Chinye, whom he said was massively supported by all leaders in the LGA.
According to him, “This is the first time that all the leaders are coming together and speaking in one voice over Emma Chinye’s candidacy. It clearly shows that he is a man that has capacity and a man ready to pilot the affairs of the Council.
“I must also commend my people for their resilient commitment to the PDP in line with our leadership disposition and style. For this election, I have no doubt they will deliver in favour of the PDP”, Elumelu posited.
At Issele-uku in Ward Eight, Unit Four, the Majority Leader of Delta State House of Assembly and member representing Aniocha North Constituency, Hon. Engr. Emeka Nwaobi said there is no opposition as far as PDP is concerned.
He affirmed that it was not possible for any other party to win in the election, because while PDP was campaigning vigorously, they were busy finding fault with the election.
He therefore scored DSIEC very high for not only conducting the LG election as scheduled in their guidelines, but also ensuring that the security of the candidates and voters is assured.
At Ward 3, Obomkpa, the veteran politician and Mother of Government, Chief Nkem Okwuofu ascribed the victory she envisaged to hard work by the PDP.
She said PDP has done well and deserves victory at all levels of the contest.
Additionally, she scored DSIEC high for conducting an election that has been rated by all and sundry as peaceful in all ramifications.
Meanwhile, the man in the eyes of the election and chairmanship candidate of the PDP, Hon. Emma Chinye expressed confidence that he would win the election based on his vigorous campaigns and feelers at his disposal.
He appreciated the people of Aniocha North for choosing him to administer the Council, promising he would not disappoint them when he eventually emerges as the Chairman.
Also, the political Leader of Issele-Mkpitime under Ward Five, voting at Unit Six and former Majority Leader of Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Krees Njiokwuemeni lauded his people for coming out en masse to vote in the election, describing the turnout as victory for PDP.
His words, “This community is for the PDP. We have one Councillor that is contesting unopposed, yet we are just voting to comply with the rules of DSIEC. In today’s election, people have been voting and going home, unlike before when we used to keep them till after voting. Only those of us supervising and managing the election are the ones waiting here. It was peaceful, we commenced voting as early as 8:30am, and since then, it has been seamless”, he maintained.
The Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza who voted at Nkeze Primary School, Idumuje-Ugboko was in high spirit and confident of victory for the PDP.
He said, “The election has been so peaceful and very credible. As at 6:30am all eligible voters had come out in anticipation of the election. Thank God DSIEC came early too. This is also to thank the Governor for the MORE Agenda performances so far.
“Interestingly, feelers are already hinging victory to PDP. The opposition parties know their limit, they should oppose with common sense and not just hoping for victory when they are not bringing anything to the table.
“Those that are coming in elected should work to meet up with the expectation of the Governor and the yearnings of the people. Thank God for the Local Government Financial Autonomy; it is very good but don’t forget that Delta State has always augmented the local government funds.
“Once again, I commend DSIEC for a good job. The process is seamless and nobody can fault it because of the level of transparency”, Osuoza explained.
Equally, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Dr Daniel Odinigwe Odigie appreciated the people of Obomkpa for their peaceful nature, and by extension Aniocha North people for supporting PDP massively to continue to govern Delta across all levels of Government.
Another vibrant youth who has made credible mark in politics and governance is the State Chief Job and Wealth Creation Officer, Comrade Ifeanyi Egwunyenga.
While speaking to newsmen at his polling unit in Ogbe-Utu Primary School, Issele-uku, he acknowledged the tasking function of DSIEC and how they exceeded the expectation of the people by raising the bar in the conduct of the latest Local Government election.
He added, “I commend DSIEC for their promptness in spite of the early morning rain. Everything went peacefully. I can rate their activity 99%.
“It is time for us to rebuild Aniocha North, which is clearly the vision of Hon. Emma Chinye. It’s not a one man show, all hands must be on deck to achieve the task. The gains of democracy is popular mandate, which is what the people have given to Hon. Emma Chinye by this election”, Egwunyenga submitted.
Also at Martin Primary School, Issele-uku voting centre, the Director General of the PDP campaign organization in Aniocha North and former Council Chairman, Hon. Jaunty Okwudi said PDP campaigned with all seriousness and deserved the victory that they expected.
He said there is no opposition, because all of them in the opposition parties are supporting and voting PDP candidates in the election.
On a final note at Idumuogo where the youths and women came out massively to support PDP, their leader, Deacon Roy Umunna commended DSIEC for being professional and proactive; confirming that the election was concluded peacefully.
