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APC Members Protest Delta Council Polls As PDP Leads In Early Results

October 25, 2014

The Delta state local government polls were on Saturday marred by series of protest by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in some parts of the state with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in early lead in almost the local government councils in the state.

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The election that commenced at about 2:00 pm witnessed heavy presence of soldiers in most parts of the state. Material for voting also arrived late to polling stations. The election was organized by the Delta state Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC). Voters turned out en mass and were seen casting their votes
 
As early as 7AM, army personnel had flooded the streets of  major towns and cities in the state especially, Warri, Effurun, Uvwie, Ughelli, Asaba, Ozoro, Oleh among others, to enforce the restriction of movement order placed by the state government.

Traffic was heavy along the Benin/Asaba expressway and the East/West road as a result of the restriction of movement imposed by the state government. Armed soldiers and police officers barricaded the roads to make sure the "no movement order" is fully observed by residents.              

A visit to the Oshimili South, Oshimil North, Aniocha South, Aniocha North, Ika North-East and South, Ukwani, Ndokwa East and West, by our reporters, shows  that the election was peaceful.                     

At Ughelli, Uvwie, Warri, pockets of violence  took place following an alleged plan by Peoples Democratic Party members to rig the election,  members of All Progressive Congress (APC) led the protests.

At Isoko South and North, it was observed that the PDP chairmanship candidates, one Sir. Itiakor Ikpokpo Malik and one Mr. Egbabor were already in an early lead.                       

Speaking with newsmen shortly after casting his vote, the Secretary to the Delta state government, Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, described the election as peaceful, free  and credible.

According to him, his party, PDP, had before now carried out voters awareness campaigns across all areas, and the  result of the awareness campaign was the reason there was the huge turnout of voters. He added that 2015 would be better than what has been witnessed in the council polls today.

“The people of Isoko North have been consistent in their style of politicking that’s why the area is always peaceful during elections. The election is peaceful, and the most peaceful in the history of Delta state that I have ever witnessed." You can see the turnout is wonderful, see how men, women and even the youths came out in their large numbers to vote. It is a sign of good awareness on the part of the people."
 
“PDP have done their work by sensitizing the people before now. And so it is not a surprise to see the people coming out to vote for the party. The opposition, you can see have not done nothing, no rally, no sensitization so how would they expect winning. PDP is sure of victory in 2015.” he stated. 
 
Also speaking, the Delta state House of Assembly Chief Whip; Mr. Johnson Erijo commended DSIEC for conducting what he described a very peaceful and free election.
 
At the police station at Oleh division, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the station, CSP I.N Ihueze chased away journalists from taking inventory of distributions of electoral materials at the station.
 
Meanwhile, towards the end of the exercise, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), protested in front of the  police station alleging that there were some pockets of violence at a unit in Uzere and Oleh.
 
 As at the time of filing in this report, the Delta state Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) has not officially announced the results of the council elections.
 

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