By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
A group under the aegis of Okpe Equity Platform (OEP) on Thursday December 28 warned the Delta State government and Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) against rigging of the forthcoming Local Government Election in Okpe in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to a statement signed by OEP’s Coordinator, Mr. Philip Edjeduere, the group vowed to resist any moves by the duo to manipulate the process should it ever occur.
The group stated that there are speculations that DSIEC may not distribute sensitive materials to all the polling units across Okpe Local Government Area because the All Progressives Congress (APC) has the most popular and generally acceptable Chairmanship candidate there.
“Delta State Government should ensure the outcome or result of the January 6 election was not rigged or manipulated for PDP, though it shall be resisted.”
The group also appealed to Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa to allow DSIEC collate and announce the result of the chairmanship election of Okpe immediately at the council stressing that,”Taking the results to Asaba for announcement will only indicate pure manipulation of the result”.
“We challenge DSIEC to conduct a credible election, make available voting materials at every polling units on January 6, to enable the electorates cast their votes for their preferred candidates, and from all indications APC will win in Okpe local government”.
Edjeduere expressed the resolve and preparedness of the people of Okpe to vote and monitor the election, adding that even Governor Okowa is much aware that Okpe is for APC pointing out that the result of January 6, will reflect same.
