EBEGBA COUNTERS PDP, CAUTIONS DSIEC, TASKS GOV SHERIFF ON ELECTIONS.

Immediate past Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency NBMA and Chieftain of the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress APC, Olorogun Dr Rufus Eseoghene Ebegba KSJI, has chided the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta state for its supposed disclaimer to allegations of connivance with the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission DSIEC, which he describes as a laughable attempt at playing to the gallery, noting that the PDP had chosen to employ propaganda in defence of its well-known notoriety.

Dr Ebegba made these remarks and more in a statement made available to newsmen in Delta state, also cautioning the DSIEC leadership on its seeming pro-PDP posturing and tasking Governor Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori to adhere to the oath of office he subscribed to on May 29, 2023, where he swore to fair and equitable to all deltans, irrespective of partisan affiliations.

He said, "Concerning the press release by the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State signed by the State secretary, aiming to deny and disclaim allegations of its connivance with DSIEC to secure undue advantage and sway the results of the upcoming Local Government Elections in its favour, it is a laughable attempt at playing to the gallery, and the PDP must know that it's notoriety precedes it. Of course, Governor Sheriff must be aware of this, and he has posterity to be conscious of because a man will reap what he sows.

" We are at a time when the thirst and hunger for real development and advancement in the state have climaxed, and while one would expect the PDP as the ruling party to tell Deltans why they should be entrusted with the administration of the local governments once again, despite the humongous resources that have accrued to the various LGAs, their release only resorted to propagandist sentiments which left an opportunity to address deltans wasted.

Speaking further, Dr Ebegba asserted that the PDP's claim that the allegations were spurious didn't invalidate the need for DSIEC to stop its unholy association with the Party, as has been observed by the opposition and indeed all Deltans.

" The PDP is known for its disposition to underhand means of securing undue advantage, as this has been very evident from the conduct of previous local government elections. 

To be more circumspect, in 2018 areas like Onicha-Olona, Umunede, Igbodo, Mbiri, Ughelli, Sapele, and others, the victories of APC candidates were denied, despite the party coming tops at the polling units. These same occurrences heralded the 2021 Council elections, where additional instances of connivance with DSIEC were exposed. Thus, the PDP secretary's statement was just another attempt to hoodwink unsuspecting Deltans, especially first-time voters.

" The Delta State Independent Electoral Commission must be aware that the commonwealth of Deltans is being used to conduct the election, therefore the electoral body must remain unbiased, as any other action will spell doom and will be aggressively resisted.

In conclusion, Dr Ebegba tasked Governor Sheriff on living up to the oath of office he subscribed to in 2023, reminding him of his position as an elder in the church, and this must not be seen to support such unrighteous ventures.

" In conclusion, I want to task the Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori JP on living up to his oath of office, as well as remind him that as a servant of Christ, unrighteous actions are against what Christianity stands for. Thus, as the governor, he must promise the state, and put his feet on the ground to ensure that there is a free, fair and credible process, Dr Ebegba added.