The non-inclusion of the governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Delta State chapter among names of gubernatorial candidates of political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), took the party aback as plans were on top gear to overrun the Ozoro Mega Rally with yellow attire which depicts Sheriff Oborevwori, a source disclosed.
This is against the judgement of a Federal High Court Sitting in Abuja, warning Oborevwori, to stop parading himself as the governorship candidate of the party for the 2023 general election.
But chairman of the party in the state, Barr. Kingsley Esiso, while speaking at the rally said INEC had asked stakeholders to maintain calm until the entire court processes were exhausted.
“As the state Chairman of this great party, it is my responsibility to educate our people on developments in the party.
“Some weeks ago our party conducted one of the freest and fairest governorship primaries in Delta state and a candidate emerged and our party has dutifully submitted the name of that candidate.
“It is our responsibility to stand and defend the outcome of that primary. The issue before the court has nothing to do with the integrity and credibility of that primary.
“By the action of INEC yesterday (Friday), we have been told in PDP to wait patently for the outcome of the court judgement,” he stated.
The rally was attended by, Minority Leader of House of Representatives, Chief Ndudi Elumelu, Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, among others.
The defectors to the PDP, who were in large number were led by Chief Fred Obe and his Grassroot Unity Movement; Chief Solomon Omene, Chief Gladys Agba, Amb. Nwaham Iwendi and APGA State Secretary, Chief A.T. Okrakpo among others.
They apologised for contributing to the emergence of a tyrannical party in APC and pledged to be part of PDP’ rescue mission.
Welcoming party faithful earlier, the state’s Chairman of PDP, Chief Kingsley Esiso, said the primary purpose of the rally was to receive defectors from other parties.
He said that Nigerians could no longer tolerate a party that had divided Nigeria along ethnic, religious and regional lines.
“People are hungry and angry, and in the midst of that, APC showed its desperation and insensitivity by coming up with a Muslim-Muslim ticket.
“In Northern Nigeria, Christians constitute no fewer than 40 per cent of the population, yet APC said they couldn’t find a Christian to be vice-presidential candidate.
“Nigerians will not answer them, we will wait till 2023 and answer them with our votes using our PVCs.
“Our people have seen with their eyes what Governor Okowa has done in Delta,” he said.
