By Oghenekevwe Laba
Delta State All Progressive Congress (APC) has started mapping out strategise on how to block any loophole of rigging and how they would come out victorious in 2015 general election in the state. Beside, the party has called on lawmakers to enact stringent laws against anyone found guilty of committing electoral fraud.
APC members in the state also deliberated on issues of how to prevent impostors from registration so as to avert opponents from hijacking the structure of the party as it were in the days of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
Members of APC came out with the resolution during the unveiling of “Organising for Delta” a slogan meant to bring genuine members of the party together and take over power from the ruling party in the state. The event which was held at the MOM Civic Centre, Warri, Delta state has Tunde Okorodudu as Director of Operation and Dr E. Akpomera in control of Media and Strategy.
Addressing large crowd of party faithful at the event, Delta South APC Senatorial Aspirant in 2015 election, Prince Yemi Emiko said the wind of change is already blowing across Nigeria because APC is going to take over as a National Party. He advised that Nigerians who want change should join the party so that they would not be left behind.
“The wind of change is already in the air. If you do not joint now you will be a late comer. PDP will become opposition by 2015,” he disclosed.
He advised party faithful not to relax at home, but move round all the nooks and crannies of local government areas of Delta state to inform the masses to register with APC and why they should pitch their tents with APC in Delta State.
According to him, “We cannot say APC for change and go and sleep at home. No. We must organize the people. We are going to move round all the local government areas in the state. We are going to organize the people. We have to take our destiny in own hands. We are the one that make the changes. We are the change they have been waiting for. The time has come and not tomorrow. We are going to move from block to block. We are going to get the people out. We are going to move assiduously. If you keep quiet, you are short changing yourself and your future generation.”
Speaking on how to tackle the issue of imposition of candidate in the party, Yemi Emiko who is the son of His Majesty Erejuwa 11, Olu of Warri from 1951 – 1986, disclosed that the party has a constitution and the only way the party can succeed and prevent imposition is to follow its constitution.
“The constitution is very clear. There will be unit. There will be ward. There will be local government, states and the national level. If the party do not follow that process, then it is ready to fail. Therefore, the unit congresses, the ward congresses, the local government congresses and the state congresses must meet and follow laid down procedure in term of choosing who will represent them.
Describing election riggers as worst than kidnappers and armed robbers, Emiko appealed to National Assembly to enact stringent laws which involve long jail term for those found guilty of electoral offences and pulling down structures used to perpetrate electoral fraud.
“Election riggers are worst than kidnappers. They are kidnapping our own destiny. They are kidnapping our children’s future. We should have laws enacted by the national assembly that anybody caught rigging election should be jailed for long time, while the building used for doctoring result should be pull down. To me, those guys are worst than kidnappers who are taking individuals,’ he said.
Director of Operation, Organising for Delta (OFB) Tunde Okorodud enjoined APC members in Delta State to get their materials for registration ready hence the registration period is only nine days. He also advised them to ensure that the registration materials did not get to wrong hands.
An Educationist and former Delta State Commissioner of Education, Veronica Ogbuagu advised APC members to be cautious of infiltration of impostors, adding that those who sold out the party in the just concluded Delta Central Senatorial election are still dancing with the party at the national level. Ogbuagu warns that if any of the impostors are giving strategic position that would be the end of APC in Nigeria.
Describing the last Delta Central bye election as crude, Ogbuagu said, “APC stand for integrity so let’s be vigilant during registration as they are planning to infiltrate our rank and file during registration. So know yourself and register your people by doing a thorough job. Sit down,
think and know what you want. “