Banner Online News

By Chukwudi Abiandu
The council elections witnessed in some areas in Aniocha North Local Government Area was largely peaceful today and devoid of rancour in the voting centres visited by banneronlinenews.com, with many leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) paying glowing tributes to the achievements of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as the main things gave the party its unique selling points during the campaigns.
Chief Emma Eboh, Chief dan Okenyi who is the commissioner for Arts, Culture and tourism, Chief Nkem Okwuofu, Chief Chike Diji, Engr. Emeka Nwaobi of the Delta state House of Assembly and Mr. Austin Azu, all attributed the huge turn out of party faithful, supporters and voters to the rigorous campaigns embarked upon by the party that took the governor to all the 25 local government areas of the state.
While chief Eboh who spoke to journalists shortly after casting his votes said he was impressed with the turnout pf voters at the polling units, even as he expressed optimism that the PDP would emerge victoruous, Chief Okenyi said the turn out was all because “we campaigned vigorously,” pointing out that the local government and Okwunzu in particular is the home of PDP. “This is the only place in Aniocha North where we had a good primary, no rancour. Our unique selling point has been the infrastructural development embarked upon by Governor Okowa in the area.”
Pointing at the well paved Okunzu road that was hitherto impassable, Okenyi called attention to how detractors used to use the bad state of the road to taunt them. “Go to the college, there is no college like that is as good as the one we have here in Ukwunzu. The support of the people for the PDP, which is due to the impact of the good work of the Governor on the people is the reason for their turnout at the voting centres. “This election is a clear indication that Governor Okowa is already back to power come 2019 because his good work will speak for him,” Okenyi said.
Besides, he said that the message of the conduct of the council election by Governor Okowa despite insinuations that he would not is clear indication that Okowa is a democrat. “The conduct of the elections has put to shame speculations by detractors who had taunted that the governor will not conduct the local government elections,” Chief Okenyi said.
For Chief Nkem Okwuofu, who voted at the Pilgrim Baptist School, Obomkpa, Governor Okowa took the issue of the council elections seriously and and took time to csampaign in all the 25 local government areas of the state. “So as a result the leaders, members and supporters of the party went about mobilizing the people to come out and vote. We went round community by community, propagating the PDP
“As a leader here, I am quite satisfied with the turn out. Governor Okowa hasdone very well for the people. Look at the Obomkpa road that is still under construction and many other projects.That is why our people have no problem identifying with the umbrella symbol of the PDP,” Chief Okwuofu said, pointing out that “we also want to use the massive turn out and support for the party as a way of appreciating the governor for what he has done and encouraging him to do more.”
Answering a question, Chief Okwuofu said: “We have no reason to write any result. We have gone round to campaign and mobilise voters to come out and vote. You can see for yourself, the turn out of the people. It’s only a drowning man that gives excuses. There is nothing like writing results; we are challenging them to go out and campaign. The massive turn out of voters is an expression of the free will of the people,” she declared.
At idumu-ogo, Chief Chike Diji, a PDP leader in the community also acknowledged that the election went on well. Urbane and articulate, DiJi testified that the election materials came in time and that accreditation of voters started. “We are looking at victory for the PDP,” he said.
For Emeka Nwaobi, the member representing Aniocha North in the state House of Assembly attributed the voter turn out to the “massive campaigns and sensitization of the people that we did; telling the people about why they must be peaceful. We campaigned vigorously. We asked them to look at the key projects of the Okowa administration interms of human capital development and infrastructural development, “ he said, adding that “the glory of all the things we are talking about goes to the Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. He has actually done very well in Aniocha North, and across the entire state.”
Each of the PDP chieftains commended DSIEC for what they called a job well done. “DSIEC has done very well,” Chief Okwofu said. While Okenyi acknowledged the same saying: “DSIEC has performed extremely well, especially given the fact that the staffs are new.”
At the Ward eight voting point at adams Primary School, Issele-Uku, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Prince Michael Chinye complained that he has not set eyes on the returning officer for the unit.
Also, Mr. Oseme, who is seeking a second term as chairman for Aniocha North, he acknowledged that his party the PDP worked hard at mobilising the people and sensitizing them to go out and vote.
Speaking to a team of online Publishers at the Ojeokpa Primary School, Ugboba voting unit, Oseme Said: “Remember that where you are now Ugboba, I am a son of the soil, and the people by their masssive turn out are showing that element of patriotism.
“One of the things I will do in my second term is to concentrate on youth development. We shall create an environment in which the youth shall flourish,” he declared.