It was a tug of war between supporters of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), as two interest groups, 3/5 PDP Supporters and other members of the party clashed, resulting in a fierce battle in Owhe, Isoko north local government area of Delta State.
It was gathered that the other party members who insisted that all members of the party contesting the 2023 general elections must be delivered 5/5, didn’t go down well with the 3/5 PDP Supporters, which resulted in a fisticuff.
Sources said the ensuing dirty fight left several party members wounded as the candidate of the party for Isoko North State Constituency, Barr. Bernard Odior, was attacked at the rally.
It was gathered that two unidentified persons are presently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in the area.
Trouble started on Thursday November 8th 2022, when the 3/5 PDP Supporters insisted that Isoko would give their votes for the presidency, Senate and governorship while that of House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly comprising Isoko north and South would be given to other candidates of their choice from the Social Democratic Party SDP.
It was learnt that a money bag in Isoko nation, Engr Daniel Omoyibo popularly known as DAMOTECH, an aggrieved PDP member, is allegedly sponsoring candidates of the Social Democratic Party in the area against the PDP anointed candidates.
Findings equally revealed that DAMOTECH, is against the candidacy of the House of Representatives for Isoko Federal Constituency ,Pastor Engr. Ukodhiko Ajirioghene Jonathan.
According to a source, DAMOTECH, has maintained that it wasn’t the turn for Isoko north to produce the House of Representatives, alleging that Ukodhiko was imposed on them.
It was also gathered that some PDP members in Isoko are rooting for the Delta South Senatorial District candidate under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joel-Onowakpo Thoma, against the PDP Candidate, Michael Diden, fondly called Ejele.
Onowakpo, is a Chartered Accountant and former Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue while Diden, is the former Chairman, Delta State Oil Producing Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
Contacted for confirmation, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edafe Bright, via a WhatsApp message said: “Not confirmed”.
But alluding to the incidence, one Comrade Onakome Michael, Co-ordinator Odior Media Team in a write up on 9th, December, 2022, called on the leadership of the party in Isoko north to setup a Committee for investigation to unearth the attack on his boss.
According to him, “We Odior Media Team condemned it’s entirety on the attacked on our Principal, Hon. (Barr.) Bernard Odior, the Isoko North PDP Assembly Candidate by 3/5 PDP supporters in Delta-south Senatorial district rally at Owhe ward 6 on 8th, December, 2022 that led to two of his supporters hospitalized.
“The attacked against our Principal, Hon. (Barr.) Bernard Odior is not only barbaric, devilish but insult to our party (PDP).
“Yes, the unacceptable act is crystal cleared that 3/5 PDP supporters is gradually generating to cultisms and hologanisms inside our great party (PDP), because since the formation of our great party (PDP) in 1998 by our founding fathers, i have never seen a time after primary, another radical group with some unscrupulous elements emerged to threaten the existentiality of our great party with some called 3/5 agenda’s.
“We are peaceful and loyal party faithfuls just like our Principal, Hon. (Barr.) Bernard Odior, the servant of the masses. We can’t indulged unconstitutional acts that is inimical to the guildlines and success of the party.
“In that note, i appeal to our great party (PDP) led by Dcn. Prince Godwin Ogorugba to set up independent committee to investigate the act and make their report public with disciplinary action with immediate arrests
on those culprits and sponsors of the acts that threaten the life of our Principal that led to two of his followers hospitalized.
“Let the action of the party (PDP), Isoko North led by Dcn. Prince Godwin Ogorugba with official statement serve deterrent to others that will like to follow suit in the nearest future”, he added.
