The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State appears to be in top gear preparing for the next batch of elections.
According to Zion Nationale, an independent newspaper and credible public opinion analyst on Delta state community matters and political affairs, “the PDP seems prepared to face modern democratic realities of credible elections given its near hitch free conduct of the Local Government Party congress elections but there exist some scepticism regarding its sustainability.
Without a doubt, this report affirms the remarks of the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa while addressing Party loyalists at his Local Government of origin, Owa, Ika North-East, that “the peaceful conduct of the LGA Party Congress election in the State is an indication that the PDP is ready to win elections in all the 36 states in the country but there is great need to build good relationships among its members despite the fact that Delta State is home for the PDP.
Indeed, credible reports from almost all sections of the state including Oshimili South Local Government Area, which is host community of the Asaba Capital city, actually revealed that the PDP congress election of the May 5, 2016 was widely recorded as non violent and well conducted. Specifically, in Oshimili South LGA, the returning Officer, John Azike declared Dada Raphael Okolo as winner after having scored a total of 97 votes against his closest rival, Uche Nwaokobia who had 3 votes.
Furthermore, Mr. Azike disclosed that a total of 100 delegates were accredited and all of them calmly participated in the election.
Responses from observers showed that the PDP Congress recorded good turnout as most key politicians of the Party were present against the assumption that the membership of the party was on a gross decline. In the acceptance remarks of the new LGA Party Chairman, Dada Okolo, he expressed appreciation over the overwhelming support extended to him and declared his readiness to work with all party members as a team to ensure victory at all elections.
However, according to Chris Obiemenyego, the Editor in Chief of Zion Newspapers, the growing concerns are that the existing division within the State PDP is yet to show any assurance of a united fold for victory in any free and fair election in Delta state. Emphatically, Obiemenyego referenced that that the opposition parties including the APC are hard at work to harmonize their intention of dethroning Okowa as number one citizen of Delta State. A possibility which cannot be ignored given the National Ruling party’s strength to attract dissatisfied members of Governor Okowa’s party and capacity to capitalize on Delta State age long ethnic tussle on leadership.
