The Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) has reacted to claims by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State that there is no other party in the state, except the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a swift reaction to the “one party state” issue, Chairman of Delta state Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Chief Tony Ezeagwu said his party has viewed the claims made by Governor Uduaghan with great dismay.
Governor Uduaghan made the claims on Wednesday, February 05, 2014 when he led elders and leaders of the PDP in the State to pledge loyalty and support to the Party’s national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu’s executive and President Goodluck Jonathan.
The Governor who was accompanied to the PDP national secretariat in Abuja by a array of leaders and elders from the state including elder statesman and former Federal Commissioner, Chief Edwin K Clark, affirmed the unity and strength of PDP in the state.
According to him, all the issues and challenges confronting the state chapter of PDP have been resolved amicably, and that the state was prepared to deploy its strategy for the use of the national secretariat of the party to address the challenges facing it.
“There is no where PDP is more united in the country than Delta State. We are here Mr. Chairman to let you know that PDP is on ground in Delta state and there is no other party in the state”, he told the PDP national chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu.
“PDP in Delta state is prepared willing to give you total support. We also want to assure you that Delta state and PDP in the state Mr. President whom you know is our own”, he added.
Governor Uduaghan asserted that Delta state was performing in line with the PDP manifesto as has become evidenced in the numerous feats and awards received by the state.
In his remarks, Chief Clark confirmed the unity and strength of PDP in the state as well as their readiness to assist the national office to ensure that the new leadership succeeds.
On his part, Alhaji Muazu re-iterated that there would be no automatic ticket for aspirants in the party, urging every member interested in one elective position or the other to go to the units and wards and sell themselves to the people.
“Go and campaign, ensure that the party is strengthened and that the party is loved and liked by the people at the grassroots”, he stated.
The PDP national chairman commended the achievements of Governor Uduaghan in Delta state particularly the recent breakthroughs in the health, transport and education sectors as well as the poverty alleviation programme
But in a swift reaction to the one party State issue, Chairman of Delta state Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Chief Tony Ezeagwu said his party has viewed the claims made by Governor Uduaghan with great dismay.
A statement made available to Blank NEWS Online on Friday, February 07, 2014 by the party in Asaba reads:
“It is unfortunate that the Governor has forgotten so soon, the 2011 election in the state where an opposition party, the Democratic Peoples Party, led by Chief Great O. Ogboru, won 9 House of Assembly seats, one Senate seat and two Federal House of Representative seats.Can it be said that the state is a one party state?
The statement alleged that “It is very clear that the Governor has been inducing legislators from the opposition party to defect to his party, the Peoples Democratic Party.
“The Governor should know that the new National Chairman of his party, His Excellency, Adamu Mu’azu, is an experienced politician. No wonder he lambasted them when he was told that they were on ground and asked them to go back to grassroot and work harder.
“In no distant time 2015 shall be with us and with free and fair election promised by the INEC National Chairman, Professor Atahiru Jega, we shall prove the Governor wrong. All we ask is free and fair election so that ‘experts’ of election result writers will be disappointed”, the statement affirmed.
