By Brisibe Perez
Chieftain of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and Senatorial aspirant in the forthcoming Delta Central Senatorial election Olorogun Abel Edijala has argued that the bye-election for the vacant Delta Central Senatorial seat ought be purely DPP affairs hence DPP won the seat in 2011 election.
While declaring his intention to contest for the vacant position at Ewu, Ughelli South LGA, Delta State where late Senator Pius Ewherido hails from, Edijala argued that ordinarily there ought not to be a by-election to fill the vacant position because DPP as a party won the seat in the 2011 general election.
He supported his argument with reference to Mr Rotimi Amaechi’s case in Rivers State where the Supreme Court ruled that parties and not individuals win elections.
“Currently the electoral act is silent on by-elections, but I think the fair thing to do would be for DPP to provide a replacement through their internal mechanism, under the close supervision of INEC. This way, we can stem the possibility of disgruntled elements, exterminating elected persons, just to bring everybody to the starting line again. We have to find a way of discouraging electoral expenses, both for the government and the contestants alike,” he added.
Speaking on the backdrop for a free, fair and credible election Edijala insisted that the Urhobos should be allowed to choose their replacement, saying “This contest is for Urhobos and Urhobos alone, therefore ethnocentric sentiments cannot come to bear.
“For instance, the UPU cannot openly or secretly endorse any aspirants. We are all eminent sons and daughters of Urhobo extraction and so, it will be counterproductive to endorse anybody before the election. Let it be one man, one vote. It is the interest of Urhobo that whomever emerges, will serve”.
Edijala who hails from the same Ewu Ward I as the late Senator Ewherido, while speaking in a meeting well attended by elders, leaders and members of the DPP said he is going to the polls on the platform of the DPP, where he has been a member because the party still remains the party to beat in the State.
“With the huge grassroots support the party enjoys under the leadership of my mentor, Chief Great Ogboru, it is clear that DPP has won the hearts of the common man on the street. The lalaja fever is everywhere and no APC can cure it. Even the PDP know that they will be up against a strong wind that will blow them away.”
On his emergence as the party’s candidate after the primaries, he said, as a grass-rooted politician, it will be easy to win the hearts of the delegates, whom he described as people that cannot be easily bribed with money to sell their conscience.
“The delegates will listen to voice of reason because, I believe that the Senate seat is not for sale. Only a competent, articulate and courageous person should be voted to represent the Urhobo people. This election will further strengthen the ties between me and the leader of the party, Chief Great Ogboru whom I stepped down for during the Governorship rerun in 2011.
“I have since then joined the DPP and I assure you that I have a very cordial relationship with the General himself ,who has promised to allow an open field for all aspirants to ascend the seat. I have no doubt in my mind that the position will be keenly contested but at the end, the best man will take the seat”.
Speaking on the recent registration of APC, he stated that, APC is a good party and it’s a welcome development.
“I have always been an advocate of a two party system in Nigeria, so I congratulate members of the new party as well as INEC that went the whole hog without interference from any quarters. In Delta State, nothing has changed. We have had DPP and PDP as the dominant parties with CAN, now, APC as the subterfuge.
“I wish them well but I know it takes a while before you can win the confidence of the grassroot. Without running the risk of shutting anyone out, Delta State will continue to be dominated by DPP in a free and fair contest and I have no doubt that DPP will still regain the seat at the Senate.