Delta LG Polls: The Signs For PDP

The 6th day of January may have come and gone and elections won and lost, it left behind some striking and remarkable imprints in the heart of Delta state political landscape. Many bookmakers had predicted a smooth sail for the ruling party in the state across all levels at the local council polls. In fact, the prediction was such that the ruling party will win all available position in a ‘pady-pady’ manner.

However, the aftermath shockwaves after the elections have since changed the beat of the drum and the dancers expectedly have realized the need to change their dancing steps. Although, the PDP won all chairmanship seats but lost at least one of the councillor’s slot to the opposition party, the victory was not a merry-go-round task.a

In most of the polling units visited across the states, the opposition party put up a good fight to make the victories for the ruling party nail biting. It was nearly a strength for strength duel among the main contending parties.

Interestingly, many of the leaders and youths who were active in the last election in enthroning this government were viciously working for the success of the opposition. This accounted for the strength the APC enjoyed.

Some others who were aloof during the last gubernatorial polls in the state, came out of their shell to campaign for and support the opposition party in a way that suggests gross dissatisfaction with the performance of the current handlers of the state’s affairs and how well they have delivered on their campaign promises as well as meeting the expectations of the masses.

Yet some others wanted to ‘fall the hand’ of the government because according to them, the governor has priced politics above administration. Whereas, others just wanted a change of party in the state.

In any case, there is an underlying fact that the people are becoming fastly uncomfortable with the way their affairs are been handled by the ruling class. Their yearnings for either a change of party or leadership style is becoming louder by the day. Things can no longer go as usual if victory is to be guaranteed in the fast approaching general election.

The state government must as a matter of urgency wake up to her responsibilities and deliver on campaign promises if the vote of the people is to be swayed to our direction in 2019.

As the ruling party, we must also be prepared to uphold internal democracy as any attempt to foist unpopular and unacceptable candidates on constituents will definitely boomerang and breed more dissatisfied party faithfuls – a situation the opposition can easily lampoon upon to cause an upset in the political space. The era of imposition of aspirants must be completely jettisoned to allow the people freely participate in any organized primary to choose whomsoever they will.

Finally, the sagacity of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa should be commended for conducting the election early enough. This has afforded our party to notice areas that are calling for urgent attention in order to well position ourselves for 2019 elections in the state.

Ashakah Orobosa Uzuazomaro is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and writes from Ozoro, Isoko North, Delta State.