Delta Acting Governor, Otuaro Blasted Over Alleged Imposition In Council Polls

Acting Governor of Delta state, Barr Kingsley Otuaro came under the fury of hundreds of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithfuls of Itsekiri ethnic nationality on Tuesday over allegations that he’s imposing a chairmanship candidate on the people of Warri South West Local Government Area of the state.

The party faithfuls drawn from Ugborodo ward1 5, Akpakpa ward 6, Madangho ward 7, Orere Ward 8, Aja-daibo ward 9 and Ogidigben  ward 10 are not happy with the Acting Governor over what they called imposition of one Taiye Duke Tuoyo as PDP chairmanship candidate in the forthcoming local government election in the state.

The PDP members who protested the alleged development on Tuesday stated that the imposition have divided the people of area who hitherto speak with one voice in the past.

The chairmanship position, according to the protesters has been zoned to Orere ward 8 for fairness, equity and stability of the party based on hitherto agreed internal rotational arrangement of the PDP by the Itsekiri party leaders of Ugborodo and Benin River axis.

“With all humility and complete loyalty to the party but in great pains, we the Leaders, Stakeholders and the teaming members of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP of Itsekiri ethnic extraction of Warri South West LGA, Delta State, present to you our resolution over this development, they said in a protest statement made available to BigPen Online.

The statement signed by Pa John Edah, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, Barr Daniel Mayuku, Rt. Hon. Prince Omatsone J.F.K, Hon. Oligida Samuel and nine others read in part: 

“We vehemently reject the imposition of Taiye Duke Tuoyo on the Itsekiris of Warri South West local government area as candidate for the Chairmanship contest for the forthcoming local government council elections in Warri South West local government area and to expressed our shock and displeasure to you and the general public about the development which the imposition of Taiye Duke Tuoyo has brought to the peaceful community of Itsekiri party leaders who had in the past always speak in one voice in matters of this nature.

“That we the party leaders, stakeholders and members of Warri South West are not pleased with the state leadership of the party in her role in trying to allow the imposition of a candidate on the people even after the state party executives and leaders have been duly notified that the chairmanship of the LGA has been zoned to Orere ward 8 for fairness, equity and stability of the party based on hitherto agreed internal rotational arrangement of the PDP by the Itsekiri party leaders of Ugborodo  and Benin River axis.

“That we the PDP leaders of Itsekiri extraction of Warri South West LGA wish to inform the state leadership of the party and the state governor that the Ugborodo  axis and the Ijaws have taken their turn of the LGA chairmanship in the persons of Hon. David Tonwe ( presently the Director-General, Delta State Security) and Hon. George Ekpemupolo (the immediate past chairman of the LGA) and that it is now the turn of Benin River (Orere) axis to nominate the Chairmanship candidate for the forthcoming contest.

“That in every sense of seriousness, we have in one voice rejected the candidature of Taiye Duke Tuoyo as he is not even from Warri South West but Warri North and have not been playing politics with the Itsekiri in Warri South West local government area.

“That the Delta State Governor and the state leadership of the party should respect the choice of the Leaders and all stakeholders of both Orere ward 8 and the entire Itsekiri leaders of Warri South West as contained in the dual communique dated October 16th 2017 and October 21st 2017 which were published in Vanguard Newspapers on page 30 of Wednessday 25th October 2017 which was presented to the party.

“That we hereby request the state party chairman to direct the immediately release of party nomination form to Mr. Johnbull Atse Edema Atumu who remains the sole candidate adopted by the Leaders and stakeholders of Orere ward 8 as well as all the Itsekiri PDP leaders of Warri South West LGA for the forthcoming LGA elections scheduled for January 6th 2018.

“That the party should not sacrifice party loyalty of the people of Warri South West to please the inordinate interest of few individuals as this will have dare consequences on the party in future elections while reminding the party leadership and the state Governor that we need to build bridges that will take PDP to a successful 2019 general elections and beyond”.