*Ochor, Tilije give scorecard of achievement
By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ukwuani Local Government Area Chapter, Delta State has displayed signs of victory in the forthcoming 2023 General Elections in February and March, with the massive mobilisation of party faithful and supporters at the venue of the party’s rally.
The rally which was held at the Obiaruku Boys Grammar School on Tuesday January 10, 2023, was in continuation of the Delta State PDP Campaign Council visit to local government areas in the state. The visit to Ukwuani Local Government Area, was the 17 Local Government visited since the commencement of the campaigns of the party in the state.
The rally was used as a litmus test by the party in the area, to show how popular and prepared the leaders and members are preparing for the elections, against the backdrop of social media reports of defections to the opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC) by leaders and members of the PDP, with the accusation of lack of internal democracy in the party.
The much talked about defection of “strong” members of the party, seems to have been proved wrong, as the known leaders and members of the party, heavily mobilized their supporters to welcome the state party leadership and the campaign council.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ochor Ochor, assured the party of victory at the polls as the leadership of the party had put in all the necessary machinery to secure victory come February and March 2023.
The Deputy Speaker stated that the local government has enjoyed the dividends of democracy under the PDP, and Dr. Okowa’s administration.
“The party under the leadership of Your Excellency had provided for the people the needed dividend of democracy across Ukwuani. Since 2015, you took a bold step to see that many uncompleted projects by past administration were continued and completed, one of them is the Umutu Skills Acquisition Centre, new roads were awarded, and completed, our youth were provided and prepared for a better tomorrow, through the different youth programmes you introduced.”
“Today, you can see from the presence of our people here, that they are massively supporting our party for victory. This crowd of party members, supporters and friends tells all the story of our great party, the PDP in Ukwuani Local Government Area. We are ready to deliver all our candidates from the Presidency to the State House of Assembly.” He stated.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the party in the local government area, Engr. Patrick Kaine, told the party leaders that the PDP is still the party to beat in the area, with the evidence of the crowds, who are members and supporters of the party in the area.
The chairman stated that the people there were not hired to come and occupy the rented chairs, but are genuine members and supporters of the party across the 10 wards in the area.
“Your Excellency and leadership of our great party, I welcome you to Ukwuani Local Government Area. The report I have to give is that we are ready to deliver all our candidates come March and February, 2023.”
“The massive mobilisation here today, tells you the story. These are not rented crowds. But genuine members and supporters of our great party, the PDP across the 10 wards of the LGA.”
Also, speaking the campaign coordinator in the area and Commissioner for Finance, Sir Fidelis Tilije, while assuring the leadership of the party of victory in the elections, gave the scorecards of the achievements of the state government, under the PDP, especially Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration on the construction of access roads in the area, provision and construction of educational facilities such as the Obiaruku Technical College, the training of youths through the different youth empowerment programmes of the state government, employment in the State Teaching Service Commission, and into the newly established tertiary institutions in the state.
“I have to tell you, Your Excellency, that you have done much for our people. We are on ground in Ukwuani Local Government Area, and are ready to deliver our candidates at the polls.
“We are ready because you have done marvelously well for the people of Ukwuani. You have provided the local government with a lot of facilities, such as the Obiaruku Technical College, construction of the Umuebu Road, ongoing work at the Amai Road, Obiaruku, the Eziokpor Road, the training of our youths in the State Youths Empowerment Programmes, and other provisions the people from this area have enjoyed under the PDP government.”
Meanwhile, the Delta State Governor has assured the people of Ukwuani of the capability of the governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2023 Election, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to govern the state, as he had known him to be a straight and efficient person, with leadership capabilities to preside over the State House of Assembly for six years without internal crises amongst the members, and who understands the programme and policies of the party on how to govern the state for physical, economic and social development.
“He has learnt a lot and has assured me that he would be fair to all parts of Delta State and ensure that no ongoing project is abandoned in any part of the state.
“Aside from ongoing projects, he will also ensure the continuation of our youth and women empowerment programmes,” he said.
He further stated that the policies of His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar’s presidency will unite Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the State Campaign Director, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, appealed to the members of the party in the area to continue to stand by the party as they always do, as the party will continue to provide the necessary leadership to the development of the state. While applauding the leadership of the party on the massive mobilisation, urged them to translate it to votes for the party.
“We have not come here as a party to campaign, but only come here to remind ourselves, that this our home and I thank the leadership of the local government area for their massive mobilisation. We ask that they continue to stand by the PDP, as they have always done, PDP will continue to serve you.
“I appeal to you to translate this massive turnout to votes for the PDP.” He said.
Others who spoke were the former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and the state party chairman, Olorogun Kingsley Esiso.
