Low voter turnout and late arrival of electoral materials marred Saturday’s local government elections in Warri and its environs in Delta state.
In Warri South and Uvwie, materials arrived about 11 a.m. This is even as traders at Igbudu market were seen going about their trade, and commercial operators going about their businesses.
Addressing reporters shortly after casting his vote at Osubi ward 6, unit 33 in Okpe LGA, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori who spoke on the Supreme Court judgement granting local government councils financial autonomy, said he is not worried by the judgement, as the state government does not tamper with local government funds.
According to him, “The Supreme Court has given judgment. It does not affect Delta State Government. In Delta State, we don’t tamper with local government money. As we speak, the money for the local governments is still there. Almost 15 billion is still there.
“I’m a supporter of financial autonomy and as a former speaker; we’re at the forefront of financial autonomy for the legislature and the judiciary. I still believe in it.”
He further expressed confidence that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would emerge victorious in the councils.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) has been accused of hoarding sensitive materials for the polls from the opposition.
As of 1p.m, sensitive materials were yet to be delivered across wards in Warri North.
The development led to the major opposition in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to boycott the exercise in some LGAs, citing loss of confidence in DSIEC.
Speaking on the matter, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas who represents Delta South Senatorial District condemned the commission for failing to release sensitive electoral materials, including result sheets and ballot papers, for the local government council elections.
He spoke at his country home in Emede, Isoko South LGA, accusing DSIEC of colluding with the ruling PDP to deny citizens their fundamental right to vote, effectively rendering the election invalid.
The Senator alleged that the PDP, APC’s readiness to take over local government affairs, conspired with DSIEC to manipulate the electoral process.
“Democracy worldwide is about the will of the people, but DSIEC and the PDP have conspired to deny citizens their right to elect local government leaders. This is undemocratic and unacceptable,” the senator said.
APC chieftain in Delta South, Chief Ayirimi Emami, had earlier advocated for INEC to conduct council elections in order to enthrone good governance at the grassroots on the heels of the Supreme Court granting LGs financial autonomy.
Chief Emami who hailed the judgement during the campaigns for the council elections, said President Bola Tinubu was doing what ought to be done.
The candidate of the APC for Warri North Akatakpo Omatseye and the Labour Party (LP), along with other party leaders and supporters, including Sir. Amorighoye Mene (for the APC), were gathered at DSIEC office in Koko as early as 6a.m for the distribution of voting materials but waited endlessly for the arrival of the commission’s officials.
Speaking on behalf of the APC, Sir Mene said despite directing them to be at the DSIEC office as early as 6 a.m., there was no sign of its officials.
Also the Ughelli North APC leaders in a signed statement by its party Chairman, Obakpororo Onoabedje, and Scribe, Mrs. Beauty Ubogun-Nze, accused the electoral umpire of recruiting PDP members as ad-hoc staff for the conduct of the election.