ABOH/Nigeria: Former Deputy Senate President and ex-Delta State APC governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has accused the PDP-led Delta State Government of marginalizing the people of Ndokwa East Local Government Area despite their significant contributions to the state’s revenue.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting with APC elders, leaders, and members in Aboh, Omo-Agege lamented the lack of tangible infrastructure development in the area. “Look at Aboh, where we are today—no telephone network, yearly flooding, and yet none of these issues have caught the attention of the Delta State Government. Is there anyone here who is not feeling the pains of underdevelopment?” he asked.
He challenged the state government to address these challenges, questioning whether Ndokwa East was considered part of Delta State. “With all your contributions to the state’s revenue, what do you have to show except neglect?” He assured that if the APC takes over the government in 2027, the area would receive special attention.
Omo-Agege alleged that in the last election, the PDP manipulated results in Ndokwa East due to fear of his deputy, who hails from the area. “Overnight, they appointed three Commissioners, many Executive Assistants, and Senior Special Assistants. But despite all that, we came very close to winning the local government, losing by just about a thousand votes, according to INEC’s declared results.”
He further alleged electoral fraud by the PDP, stating, “One thing that is clear from the votes we got is that our over 9,000 votes are organic and legitimate votes. But that can’t be said of theirs. Where they got 300, they would add one in front to make it 1,300, and that is how they won, unlike our votes, which are genuine.”
Omo-Agege also claimed the PDP attempted to buy over APC ward and local government executives before the elections. “Two weeks to the election, they went around offering our Ward and Local Government executives N5 million each to defect to PDP. Some took the money and left, but today, they have been abandoned, and the money they collected is long gone.”
Urging APC members to remain united, he emphasized that politics is a game of numbers and every member matters. “Politics is about numbers. One person alone cannot deliver a local government. Our strength lies in our ability to expand and bring more people into the party. We saw the difference in the results from 2019 and 2023 because we grew our support base.”
He assured party faithful that their efforts in the last election were not in vain, urging them not to be discouraged. “Among all the nine LGAs in Delta North, you performed exceptionally well. You came very close to winning the local government for us, but for forces beyond your control. With a little push, I believe you can take us across the finish line. So, don’t be discouraged.”
Calling for unity among APC leaders, he added, “In every political family, people have disagreements, but they always settle. Whatever issues exist among our leaders will be resolved for the good of our party. We are brothers and sisters; we will not fight to the death. So, go about mobilizing new members to join our party. Let the leaders handle their disagreements and find common ground.”
