Barely two weeks before the conduct of local government elections in Delta State, the Delta State chapter of the Obidient Elders’ Council has tasked the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to conduct a credible election, noting that rigged election is worse than a military coup.
The Chairman of the Obidient Elders’ Council, Mr Chris Biose, who stated this on Monday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, said the elders would resist any move to rig the election.
Biose alluded to the fact that a rigged election is synonymous with a violent coup plot which does not in any way pretend to be democratic.
He said, “The litmus test of democratic governance is credible elections. In this regard, the Delta State local government polls scheduled to be held in July 2024 present the most significant test of the credibility of the Oborevwori’s administration.
“A rigged election is worse than a military coup because violent coup plotters do not pretend to be democratic. Writing election results without regard to voting detracts from the legitimacy of government.
“So far, so good, the electioneering campaigns have been issue-based, peaceful and encouraging. This is democracy in action. But we noticed that some political parties are still in their enclaves, not launching out at all. All parties need to showcase their political relevance through participation in the ongoing electioneering process.’’
“We are aware of the negative performance of the Peoples Democratic Party in past elections. The government in power has always had overwhelming influence in the state.”
The council therefore urged the governor to ensure a free and fair local government election, which is coming up barely in two weeks, with a caveat: “This is the best gift you can give; your best legacy to the younger generation is a good example in your conduct of the state affairs.”
Biose said Delta Obidient Elders’ Council wholeheartedly stand with Nigerian youths in their quest to take back their country from rampaging military and civilian political rascals who have criminally mismanaged its resources in the past 64 years.
He noted that the Obidient Movement has no place in the organogram of the Labour Party, but found Mr Peter Obi as a vehicle for the realization of their mission of good governance for Nigeria.
The council said that the leadership of the LP in Delta State failed to express appreciation to Obidient youths across political party lines who engaged in self-sponsorship and political self-mobilisation to defeat the All Progressives Congress and the PDP in the state.