Internal skirmishes within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), over who replaces the vacant seat for Lawmaker representing Isoko South 1 Constituency on the floor of the Delta State House of Assembly, has torn the party apart.
Several stakeholders and leaders of the party have pitched tents with their choice candidates, while others have described the internal bickering, aimed at technically knocking out some and bring in others, as unhealthy for the party.
Recall that the seat became vacant following the demise of the seating lawmaker, Hon. Kenneth Ogba.
The Union Nigeria gathered that the issues followed an instruction from the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, directing leaders of the party in Isoko South to submit three names ahead of the party primary election to fill the seat.
Emergency Meeting
Following this instruction, on Sunday August 1, 2021,at about 2pm, a meeting was called by former Local Government Chairman, Arch Joe Iroro for the attendance of five stakeholders from each ward.
Haven observed that those who showed interest for the parliamentary seat were over 15 persons, it was agreed in that meeting that only those who contested in the 2019 election for the seat should be considered.
Recall that three persons contested against the deceased lawmaker in the last election. Namely: Barr. Powell Ojogho, Hon. Ovuakporie Evivie and Chief Jubilant Igelige.
However, in the selection process, Barr Powell Ojogho and Hon Ovuakporie Evivie were picked. Meanwhile, The Union Nigeria Learnt that some stakeholders were pushing for Chief Jubilant Igelige while others harped on Chief Victor Egbo alias Last Mugu.
Certain persons in the meeting kicked against the nomination of Chief Victor Egbo on the ground that he did not contest the last election.
Chief Egbo argued however, that the immediate past Chairman of Council, Hon. Itiako Ikpokpo, it was who advised him against picking the form as it was not politically viable at the time.
Nevertheless, another former aspirant, Hon. Evans Egbo argued that the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, it was who called him while on his way to pick the form, while he was enroute.
Following these squabbles, a list of two persons was eventually sent.
Disgruntled Leaders and Stakeholders
In the intervening time, some stakeholders of the PDP in Isoko South, who do not want their names in print for fear of being sanctioned by party, told The Union Nigeria that the manner in which the selection was handled by the party’s leadership may cost the PDP its victory in the general election.
One of them specifically called for the full enlistment of the three former aspirants who bought forms during the election.
He said, this would serve as a closure for any intentions of unnecessary politicking.
According to him, Isoko South 1 constituency has a history of opposition; hence all efforts to avoid dissatisfaction amongst party members must be avoided by the leadership of the party.
“This is an INEC election. And we know quite well that the centre is controlled by an opposition party. We cannot afford to be divided.”
“Other aspirants are calling for their interests because the original three aspirants were not completely considered. If any other name must be considered to fill the three slots advised by the governor, then the original three of Barr. Powell Ojogho, Hon. Ovuakporie Evivie and Chief Jubilant Igelige must be secured.” He said.
INEC TO Hold Isoko South Bye-Election Sept 11
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday, September 11, 2021 for the conduct of election into the Isoko South State Constituency 1 position in Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA).
This was contained in a press release by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye.
According to the release, INEC met, on Tuesday 10, 2021, and deliberated on a number of issues, including the conduct of bye-election into the vacant state constituency seat.
According to him, the vacancy arose as a result of the death of Hon. Kenneth Odafe Ogba, member representing Isoko South State Constituency and the subsequent declaration of vacancy for the position by the Delta State House of Assembly.
“Consequently, the Commission has fixed September 11, 2021 for the bye-election to fill the vacant seat”, it stated.
The release further read: “The official notification for the election will be published August 13, 2021. The access code for the online submission of nomination forms will be available for collection from August 21, 2021 at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, while the last day for submission of list of nominated candidates is August 26, 2021 at 6pm.
“Political Parties shall submit the names of their Polling Agents for the election to INEC Electoral Officer for Isoko South Local Government Area on or before September 1, 2021 and campaigns by political parties shall end on September 9, 2021.”
The release also stated that the timetable and schedule of activities for the bye-election had been uploaded on the Commission’s website and social media platform.
INEC further advised that political parties fielding candidates for the bye-election must conduct valid primaries that met the intendment of Section 87 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and upload the personal particulars of the candidate that won the primaries to the Commission’s candidate nomination portal as the candidate of the party.
Laughable that Hon. Evans said he was called by Olusegun Obasanjo not to purchase form to vie for an election. Obj was not a member of pdp at that time. This show you how terrible these pdp bigwigs can be with lies