The incident, and resulting heightened tensions at the venue prompted the electoral officers to immediately announce the cancellation of the exercise, declaring it inconclusive. As they were about to leave the venue they were confronted by thugs reportedly loyal to the former chairman of the party in the state, Peter Nwaoboshi, insisting that they must complete the primaries.
Crisis erupted Tuesday at the Delta North Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial primaries, when thugs suspected to be working for the wife of the former National Chairman of the PDP, Mariam Ali, and former member of the House of Representatives, Doris Uboh, invaded the venue of the exercise.
The exercise, which was supposed to hold last week Sunday in Asaba, was put off for unknown reasons.
Trouble started after seven of the nine Local Government Areas had casted their votes. Then, thugs loyal to Ali and Uboh invaded the venue and interrupted the process. One of the thugs was arrested and beaten by security agents before he was taken away.
The incident, and resulting heightened tensions at the venue prompted the electoral officers to immediately announce the cancellation of the exercise, declaring it inconclusive. As they were about to leave the venue they were confronted by thugs reportedly loyal to the former chairman of the party in the state, Peter Nwaoboshi, insisting that they must complete the primaries.
Chairman of the Election Panel, Raphael Kukuh, attributed the suspension of the primaries to the security situation, stating that the presidency has directed him to cancel the election.
“The presidency has asked me to cancel the election. So, it is inconclusive and is therefore cancelled,” Kukuh said, before driving away from the Cenotaph arena, venue of the voting.
Shortly after the leaving of the panel committee, Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, Sir Itiako Constantine Ikpokpo, was subsequently appointed by the leadership of PDP in the state to conduct the remaining part of the election and declare the winner of the primaries.
After the concluding part of the exercise and counting of votes, Nwaoboshi earned 138 votes to emerge winner, while Paul Osaji came in second with 87 votes, while Doris Uboh came in third with 37 votes. Pascal Adigwe came in fourth with 27 votes and Mrs. Ali polled 4 to clinch the fifth position.
Declaring Nwaoboshi winner, Ikpokpo stated that “Having counted all the votes, I hereby declared Barrister Peter Nwaoboshi winner of the primaries, having polled 138 votes, which is the highest among the five aspirants.”
At the end of the controversial exercise, thugs allegedly hired by Uboh were seen been taken to Halims Courts Hotel along DBS road, Asaba. There they where reportedly addressed and commended by Uboh and were served food and drink.
Speaking with reporters, Nwaoboshi said that he has been declared winner in a free and fair primary which was conducted in an open environment.