Council Polls: DSIEC Adhoc Staff Slump, Dies In Onicha-Ugbo As Okowa, Uduaghan Vote Amid Violence

An Adhoc staff of Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) deployed to Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta state reportedly slump and died during the council election in the state.

Reports reaching BigPen Online shows the staff whose identity was not immediately known died shortly after delivering the voting materials in a voting centre at Onicha-Ugbo.

Details of the incident were still sketchy at as press time but our source said the pathetic development send shivers among eligible voters at the polling unit.

Our correspondents however reports that election went on smoothly in Aniocha North Local government, with impressive turn out of voters in areas covered, and largely peaceful.

It was learnt that the election was relatively peaceful in Isoko South and North council Areas except some Wards where it was alleged voting didn’t hold.

In Warri South local government area, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairmanship candidate, Hon. Michael Tidi said “this is one of the best organised election by the DSIEC, it is transparent, and people are happy to come out and vote without fear, with confidence that their votes will count.”

Meanwhile, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, shortly after casting his vote at Ward 3, Owa-Alero, Ika North-East local government area, said “I am satisfied with the process.”

His predecessor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan also voted at his home town of Abigborodo, Warri North Local Government Area.

Governor Okowa while speaking to newsmen however alleged that suspected members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) were responsible for the setting ablaze of DSIEC office in Ughelli North Council area.

“It is unfortunate that some persons were not ready for the elections and they resorted to violence, I personally led the campaign of the PDP round the 25 local government areas of the state, even to areas I did not visit when I was campaigning for the governorship position and after that, the campaign from Ward to Ward, house to house continued while other political parties were not involved in any campaign,” he stated.

Continuing, he said, “I can assure you that generally, from information available to me, the state is calm and voting is in progress in the state.”

Member representing Ika Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Victor Nwokolo while addressing newsmen alleged that two suspected members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) were arrested with guns at Igbodo,  Ika North-East local government area.

He disclosed that the trouble makers were caught early enough before they perpetuated their acts which was designed to disrupt the election.

BigPen Online correspondents report that APC which is presumed as party without structure in the state gave PDP serious resistance in many of the council visited but the absence of sensitive materials which DSIEC allegedly kept away may save the ruling party, PDP to carry out its plans to manipulate the election.

The resistance was more visible in Delta Central Senatorial District and some part of Delta North where Governor Ifeanyi Okowa hails from.

Supporters of APC in Ughelli North, South and Uvwie had alleged violence attack on them by suspected members of PDP whom they alleged were armed.

APC Chairmanship candidate in Uvwie, Ufuoma Okenini alleged that soldiers were deployed to intimidate eligible voters in his council area, describing the electoral exercise as a sham.

Chief Brighton Obiokor, APC Ughelli South LGA Chairman alleged that PDP thugs went berserk in the night of January 5th, exerting mayhem with 3 APC members shot and wounded, and more than 10 persons wounded with machete cuts.

He also said that three vehicles with registration number LAGOS JJJ 980AP, EDO AE 255 EHR and EDO URM382QT were damaged allegedly by PDP supporters.

“As at 12 noon, one of the injured Mr Ego Gbekuhor is in critical condition, while the other two others, Mr. Ohwovedirin Ubukeroro and Mr. Michael Ighofiota are undergoing treatment for gun-shot wounds.

One person among the injured is already confirmed dead, while others still hospitalised.

As a result of this incidence, and lack of result sheets, the election was unable to hold in Ughelli South LGA. Therefore, any purported results declared for this LGA is null and void, he declared.

An APC agent alleges result Sheets of Warri South West were moved to Mosheshe Estate by PDP mercenaries to fill the sheets at will.

“Outside result sheets, most other election materials were taken inside Shell Housing Estate, Edjeba.

“In a bid to stop them, Hon Thomas Emami and other APC faithfuls were attacked by PDP hired thugs who unleashed terror that led to injuries on the APC stalwarts”, the source claimed.

But Commandant of the Delta State Nigeria Security and Civil Corps, Ego Sam who was seen monitoring the exercise, said, all measures were taken in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure a hitch-free election in the state.

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