Thugs Connived With The Police To Disenfranchise APC Members In Ukwuani LGA— DTHA Candidate

-As INEC Declares Ochor Ochor DTHA Member-elect

By Dafe Rukevwe

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Delta State House Assembly seat in Ukwuani Local Government Area, Hon Eze Anthony Omolu, has said that he observed many lapses during the conduct of the Governorship/State House of Assembly elections in his constituency, adding that thugs connived with the police to disenfranchise his party members during the polls.

Hon. Omolu spoke to journalists during the polls in Obiaruku, Delta State.

According to him, violence and vote buying perpetuated by some leaders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) marred the process.

He added: “The whole process is far from transparent, credible, free and fair,” as he called for a cancellation of the units were there were irregularities and a rerun declared.

He continued: “There was no proper security, our party members were not allowed to vote and our agents monitoring the elections in some places were chased away. Clearly, the process was compromised and as a candidate I feel very disappointed that in an election that is conducted by an APC government the PDP still had the advantage by reason of heavy monetary inducement.

Meanwhile, results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Collation Officer, Professor Victor Okonji, from the University of Benin, declared the candidate of the PDP, Hon. Christopher Ochor Ochor  as the winner with a vote count of 17, 536 to defeat the APC candidate Eze Omolu who polled 7,172 votes.

Reacting to the announcement, the winner, Hon Ochor Ochor, thanked the people of Ukwuani for voting for PDP, and promised he will keep to his promises of giving the people of Ukwuani good representation once the 7th Assembly resumes.

He said: “I have to first of all thank God, and the people of Ukwuani for voting for the Peoples Democratic Party candidates. As I had promised them that I will give them good representation, they should expect it.”

“The winning of PDP in Ukwuani, means more dividend of democracy will come to the area, as I will join His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to pursue the SMART Agenda of the government.”

Meanwhile, in the spirit of sportsmanship, he has extended hand of fellowship to his opponents to join him for the good of the local government.

While congratulating the other candidates for bracing the odd of electioneering, he said it is time to move the area forward, and it will be better for all to join hands in pushing for the development of the area.

“For my co-candidates, I congratulate them for the courage to contest. However, this is the time for us to think Ukwuani first. So I implore them to join hands for the future of our area.