… As Late Arrival Of Officials, Violence Mar Exercise
SAN FRANCISCO, December 07, (THEWILL) – Anxiety and pockets of violence characterised the House of Representatives primaries election of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) held in Delta State on Saturday.
This followed the late arrival of the party officials and materials in several parts of the state where the exercise took place amidst tight security.
Local reporters who monitored the exercise told THEWILL that the situation was not different in Kwale, Oleh, Ughelli, Sapele and Agbor where voting commenced at about 4:45pm with armed policemen and other security operatives on ground to maintain peace and order.
At the Cenotaph, Asaba where the primary for the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal constituency was held, delegates conducted themselves in a peaceful manner except one of the famale aspirants who caused a mild drama as she tried to engage the council chairman in the area in a fight.
In Bomadi/Burutu/Patani Federal Constituency, the situation was chaotic and tense as suspected thugs loyal to some of the aspirants engaged themselves in a shootout.
Though reasons for the exchange of gunfire were still sketchy when filing this report, it was gathered that loyalist to an aspirant was campaigning for their candidate after being warned to desist from such act.
Voting materials arrived Kiagbodo Primary school, venue of the exercise at 4:35pm amidst tight security.
Meanwhile, the deputy majority leader and member representing Isoko Federal Constituency in Delta state, Hon. Leo Okuweh Ogor, won the PDP ticket to return to the House for the fourth time.
“Ogor scored 89 votes to defeat his co-contenders, Surv. Elias Ovesuor who got 3 votes and Mr. Jim Elueni who got 1 vote,” the returning officer of the party’s primary, Mr. Kennedy Okolugbo, said.
In Warri Federal Constituency, incumbent member of the House, Hon Daniel Reyieneju, purportedly being supported by Ijaw former warlord, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), won with 70 votes to beat Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s candidate Ada Val Arayenka who got 56 votes.
Daughter of former Federal Permanent Secretary, Ete Harrima Ayida, scored 2 votes, Barr (Mrs) Olivia Agbajor got 1 vote while one of the contestants Alero Ogbemi had earlier withdrawn from the race, the party’s returning officer, Tony Nwaka, said.
Uduaghan, who hails from the constituency didn’t participate in the voting exercise which took off around 5:25pm after persistent waiting at the Warri Township Stadium where delegates, were kept in suspense, awaiting the arrival of party officials assigned to conduct the election.
In Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency, the incumbent member, Hon. (Mrs) Evelyn Oboro, defeated her opponents with 91 votes to emerge winner as Efe Afe scored 29 votes while Hon Napoleon Gbinijie got 2 votes.
In Ika Federal Constituency, the incumbent, Victor Nwokolo, won with 57 votes while his opponents Philip Ukwadia and Martins Okonta scored 44 and 4 votes respectively.
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