The Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) had on Saturday October 25, 2014 conducted the local government elections in the 25 local government areas of the State.
Blank NEWS Online can report that despite some hitches, delays and security situation which were promptly dealt with, Deltans and other residents in the state turned out in large number to exercise their franchise.
Despite some unregistered protests by opposition parties, 23 chairmanship candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have been declared winners by the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC).
The elected council chairmen would be sworn-in on at 12 noon, Monday, October 27, 2014 by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan at the Ccenotaph, Asaba.
It could be recalled that the Chairman of Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DESIEC), Mr. Moses Ogbe had assured Deltans of free, fair and credible polls that will meet acceptable standards.
According to DSIEC, 65 candidates from various political parties entered the contest for council chairman in the 25 local government areas while over 1000 candidates are vied for councillorship seats in the elections.
Declaring the results on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at the DSIEC headquarters, Asaba, the commission’s Chairman Mr. Moses Ogbe stated that the commission had to cancelled the results of Ndokwa East local government area, citing violence. The results of Ethiope East LGA was declared as ‘inconclusive.’
DSIEC stated that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won in Uvwie, Aniocha North, Ika North-East, Patani, Sapele, Ethiope West, Burutu, Oshimili North, Ndokwa West, Udu, Okpe, Ika South, Bomadi, Warri North, Isoko North, Isoko South, Ughelli South, Warri South, Oshimili South, Ughelli North, Ukwuani and Warri South-West.
Ogbe further stated that the chairmanship candidates of the PDP Ethiope West and Patani LGA were returned unopposed because none of the opposition political parties in the areas fielded candidates.
He boasted that the Delta local government election will serve as a litmus test for all Nigerians especially as the 2015 general elections approaches, just as he revealed that attempts by some politicians in the state to disrupt the election processes failed.
Meanwhile, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has hailed the Local Government Elections held in the State on Saturday, October 25, 2014 as one of the best organised polls.
Speaking in his Abigborodo hometown shortly after casting his vote at Unit I, Ward 6, located at Abigborodo Primary School Polling Station in Warri North Local Government, the Governor said reports he received indicated that the exercise was largely peaceful in all parts of the State.
The Governor who expressed happiness at the huge turn out of voters for the exercise commended the people of the State for keeping faith with the exercise and expressed happiness for the peaceful conduct.
Commenting specifically about the exercise in Warri North, Dr. Uduaghan said certain elements had wanted to disrupt the exercise but security was called in to handle the situation.
The Chief Electoral Officer, Warri North, Miss Mary Fregene said that voting started at 3 pm due to late arrival of materials, explaining that the heavy rains caused the said late arrival of materials.
Blank NEWS Online field reporters who monitored the local government elections revealed a massive turn out of prospective voters during the Delta State local government elections on Saturday October 25, 2014.
Our correspondents who monitored the elections observed that as at 9 am business activities were going on at Ogwashi-Uku, though people were at different polling units waiting for electoral materials.
At about 10 am when our reporter visited Ubulu-Uku, former Deputy Chief of Staff, Chief Emma Ejiofor was seen with prospective voters anxious to cast their votes.
Chief Ejiofor observed, “there is no small election, we take every election very serious and want to make a statement with this local government election that victory is for our party, one hundred percent.”
Also at Obior, former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief Benjamin Elue and former Commissioner of Works in Delta State, Surveyor Paul Osaji said they have done their home work, stating that voters awareness was high in the area.
Surv. Osaji who is contesting for the Delta North Senatorial election observed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would naturally win in the elections.
At Agbor, Ika South local government area, Mr Peter Idion commended the high turn out of people for the election.
However, Hon. Cordelia Anyagwu said people came out to vote but, “it is unfortunate they are using the old voters’ register.”
At Ugiliamai, home of Senator Patrick Osakwe where his son, Ifeanyi was contesting for the Chairmanship position, the turn out of electorates was massive.
In the sae vein, the member representing Isoko North in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Tim Owhefere has urged the electorates to continue to exhibit peaceful conducts after the local government council elections.
Speaking after casting his votes at Unit 13, Ward 16, Isoko North local government area of Delta State, Hon. Owhefere said the local government elections were very peaceful and the electorates should remain as such after the release of the results.
“We witnessed impressive turnout of people for today`s elections, it was peaceful and we hope that the people will remain peaceful after the release of the results,” Hon. Owhefere said, addig, “you know people were eager for the local government elections that was why it was grassroots election.”
Hon. Nelson Ejakpovi in a telephone chat, said elections at Emevor were also peaceful while Mrs Mimi Igbrude thanked the electorates for their peaceful conducts at Owheologo during the elections.
She stated that Owheologo had enjoyed fair share of democratic dividends, so, the people were happy to be involved in the elections.
