By Eseoghene Emuke
President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Adams Oshiomhole have boasted that the reign of the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will come to an end in this Saturday’s Governorship and State Houses of Assembly election.
The duo spoke on Monday at the PTI Conference Centre in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State during a town hall meeting organized to galvanized support for the APC governorship candidate, Chief Great Ogboru in the election.
Buhari, represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, after listening gale of complaints concerning the security lapses in the last Presidential and National Assembly election, assured Deltans that his administration would provide adequate security in the election.
He noted that security would be beefed up to enable the people of the state freely chose their leaders in a free, fair and credible election where no one is intimidated.
The President, who called on Deltans to vote en masse for Ogboru and other APC candidates in the election, noted that Delta State would no longer be in the hands of the opposition beyond this Saturday’s election.
Speaking at the town hall meeting attended by the immediate past governor of the state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan; APC leader in the state, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Olorogun Ima Niboro, Rev. Francis Waive and a host of others, appealed to Delta APC leaders to bury their grievance and work for the party’s victory.
Buhari said, “Delta state should not be an opposition state. Why should Delta be an opposition state? Why? There is no reason for it at all. For all the periods that Delta State has had high resources, what we need was a change from a progressive party. The time has come. This is the moment, let us seize that moment.
“I want to say there is apple reason for us as a people of this great state to ensure that we do not betray the trust of the millions of people of the state. Here, I speak to party members – by disunity and fighting among ourselves. That is what our opponents want the most. They want to see a divided party.
“A party where we are pointing accusing fingers at each other. If we are divided, there is no way we can possibly win. If we are divided that is the end of it. If we work together, we will definitely win and emerged victorious this Saturday. I believe that we can work together.
“What happened last Saturday is a great victory for us but it is only the beginning because the completion of that victory is going to come by the grace of God on Saturday March 9, 2019 when we vote in our own governor, Great Ogboru, who will by the grace of God be a governor from that very day.”
While reeling out achievements of the APC-led government, the President stated that Itakpe-Aladja/Warri railway project has been completed by his administration 35 years after, adding that the dredging of the EScravos bars of the Warri Seaport is at completion level.
He also promised to tightened security within the state during the forthcoming election after some APC chieftains who spoke at the event accused security agencies and INEC officials of allegedly colluding with the ruling party in the state to rigged the last Presidential and National Assembly Election.
“Just as you have said, every one of us have taken into account all of the issues you have raised especially the issue of security. It is a very fundamental issue. It is a way in the past how the PDP used and abused security in the country. We have seen frequently how they manage to victors when they are actually losers. So, there is no reason at all why we should not pay special attention to security and we will do so. I will ensure that we do so.
“The other reason why it is so important for us to ensure that Delta State become an APC state has been pointed out. The social investment programme that we put in place, it is only APC governor that can implement such programmes faithfully. We believe that once we are able to have an APC governor such programmes will be implemented”, Buhari added.
On his part, the National Chairman of APC, Mr Adams Oshiomhole, while thanking the people of the state for standing solidly behind the party in the last election, boasted that the next election will be the last straw that will destroy PDP in Delta State.
He told the electorate to collect money from the ruling party if they decide to use state resources induce them and disappoint them by voting for PDP during the election.
Oshiomhole boasted that PDP can no longer win election in Delta State since the party was now outdated and “PDP is now in a political menopause” throughout Nigeria.
“You (Delta APC) have substantially weakened the rigging machines of the PDP in Delta State. This time, you will stop them on Saturday and ensure that Okowa and PDP reign in Delta State is brought to an end.
“No one will provide unlawful security. Security operative should ensure that votes are counted because President Buhari wants to have cleaner elections”, APC National Chairman said.
[…] Joel Onowakpo Thomas, Olorogun Ima Niboro, Rev. Francis Waive and a host of others was packaged to galvanized support for the APC governorship candidate, Chief Great Ogboru ahead the Saturday’s […]