Bye-Election Result: Delta PDP Asks Opposition To Go To Court

The just concluded Delta senatorial bye-election results is generating a lot of reactions from the different parties that participated in the elections with allegations that the elections was not free and fair because the ruling party PDP out rightly rigged the election to get victory.

The Peoples Democratic Party has however chosen to set the record straight and counter such allegations.

Speaking to newsmen at the party’s state secretariat in Asaba, the state chairman, Mr Peter Nwaboshi expressed displeasure at the allegations levelled against the party; and stated that the party which had a reconciliatory session prior to the elections, chose to work together as a party which led to a successful result.

He hinted that everything is indeed for the good of the Urhobo nation and if the opposition parties want to go to court, they are advised to do so and not create problems by accusing others falsely.

It will be recalled that the All Progressives Congress candidate for the bye-election called for outright cancellation of the election and asked  INEC to fix a date for a re-run, after it was announced that the ruling party emerged winner.

The APC in a post-election press conference accused the PDP of using the military to intimidate voters and also accused the PDP of falsification of results.

The opposition alleged that the PDP prevented voting materials from reaching polling units in opposition strongholds during the election on Saturday.

A statement issued by the APC, said reports from its agents on the field indicated that armed soldiers and policemen were deployed strategically to intimidate voters, while trailers and tankers were used to block the roads leading to the opposition strongholds, thereby preventing voting materials from reaching there.

According to the APC, the worst-hit areas were Ughelli-North; Udu and Uvwie local governments.

The opposition party adds that several Hilux vehicles loaded with armed soldiers were sent to Okpe local government ward 8 collation centres since Friday night.

It was reported that party agents had complained about logistic problems which hampered the exercise.

The bye-election took place in eight local government areas of Delta state.

The poll became necessary after the death of Senator Pius Ewherido on June 30, 2013.  The Late Senator Ewherido won the seat in 2011 on the platform of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) which fielded Ede Dafinone as its candidate in Saturday’s poll.