Updates: Delta PDP Ward Congresses End In Fiasco, 10 Injured, Hospitalised

Ward congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta state, weekend ended in fiasco in many part of the state.

This was stemmed from infighting between leaders of the party in the state over who controls the political machinery of the party in their respective local government councils ahead 2023 general election.

BIGPEN understands that this development led to the disruptions of the exercise in many part of the local government areas.

It was gathered that no fewer than ten persons were wounded with various dangerous objects and hospitalized in Isoko at the weekend over the development.

It was learnt that supporters loyal to two appointees of the state government reportedly ignited the crisis in Erowha/Umeh Ward 08, leaving ten persons including an ex-councillor simply identified as Saturday Eneriakpoze, one Oyibo Emmanue and others hospitalised.

Sources revealed that caution was thrown to the winds immediately the name of one of the candidate loyal to one of contending leaders in Isoko South Council was announced and was vehemently resisted by the ward party faithfuls.

Trouble was said to have started after a section of the party members reportedly resisted one Odiri Alade, Special Assistance to governor Ifeanyi Okowa on youth and community development who allegedly tried to impose one Peter Ayetuovo as the ward chairman.

Consequently, angry party members allegedly blamed the development on the Managing Director of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission ( DESOPADEC), Askia Ogieh, who they accused of imposition of party officers across the local government area from wards to local government ostensibly because of his 2023 house of representatives ambition.

Sources disclosed that following the failure to harmonise the list, some hoodlums purportedly brandishing guns, machetes, and other dangerous weapons swooped on everybody at sight and scattered the meeting.

“The PDP ward congress did not hold in the Erohwa/Umeh 08, it ended badly with so many party members soaked in their blood following the attack by hired thugs because, we rejected the imposition of Peter Ayetuovo, who is not known in our ward.

“First of all this said Peter Ayetuovo is not a registered member of the party with a registered membership card since 1999 till date, if you doubt me I challenge him to present same and the name of the chairman that issued him that membership card from the said Erohwa/Umeh Ward 08.

“The said Peter Ayetuovo has not participated in any party’s activities from inception till date. This said Peter Ayetuovo is an Uzere bred Erohwa man whose activities both political has not been taken to Erohwa for once. He’s being imposed on the ward and we vehemently opposed to that.”

Odiri did not respond to his calls and messages when one of our correspondents contacted him but Ogieh, denied any involvement in what happened at the Erohwa/Umeh Ward 08.

“I don’t know anything that happened at Erohwa/Umeh Ward 08. I am not from Umeh, I am from Uzere, I am not even in Delta state presently as we talk I am in Lagos”, he said.

BIGPEN recalls that a similar incidents happened in Kwale and Sapele few weeks ago during a pre-congress meeting where party faithful were also attacked and injured by hoodlums deployed to the venues.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had recently cautioned his appointees and those interested in elective position in 2023 to eschew acts capable of distracting governance in the state.

According to the governor who spoke through his Senior Political Adviser, Chief Funkekeme Solomon, in Asaba, actions capable of undermining the administration’s resolve of bequeathing a Stronger Delta to the people would no longer be tolerated.

“This is quite unfortunate as the actions of these persons could cause stampede and needless tension in the political space.

“Consequently, I am to state that appropriate sanctions await anyone whose aspirations become obstructive of or distractive to Government”, Okowa was quoted to have said.