Ogboru rejects Delta governorship result -source Next news

The governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Great Ogboru, has rejected the result of the election held in Delta State on Tuesday, saying it was characterised by irregularities.

Addressing a press conference in Asaba yesterday, Mr Ogboru, who spoke through the state DPP chairperson, Tony Ezeagwu, accused the state resident electoral officer, Gabriel Ada, of receiving "gratification." He described the election as "unfortunate."

Mr Ogboru appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene to avoid a breakdown of law and order in the state

According to him, when the election started, the DPP's governorship candidate was winning until the PDP discovered the trend and embarked on fraudulent acts like snatching ballot boxes, mostly in areas the PDP perceived that they wouldn't be getting massive support from the masses.

According to the state DPP boss, voting did not take place in three controversial local government areas in Warri, yet the electoral commission went ahead to declare results from them.

"The INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission) resident electoral officer in Delta State has been compromised. Time without number we called for his transfer but Prof Jega wouldn't listen to us because they know what they are benefiting from the state against the wishes of the masses. We know they are always working for the PDP."

Mr Ogboru appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to, as a matter of urgency, intervene to avoid a breakdown of law and order in the state. "Enough is enough," he said. "We will go out to reclaim our mandate."

INEC had declared the incumbent governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, as the winner of the governorship poll. Announcing the complete results of the April 26 governorship election from the 25 local government areas of the state, the collation and returning officer for the governorship election in the state, Abhulimen Anao, said that the results had been duly authenticated. He therefore declared Mr Uduaghan winner, "having polled the highest number of votes cast in the exercise."

Mr Anao, however, observed that skirmishes in parts of the state prevented polling from holding in some areas, leading to a loss of about 35,000 votes, while invalid votes stood at about 33,000.

Total votes garnered show that Mr Uduaghan secured 525,793 votes against 433,834 votes got by Mr Ogboru, his closest rival.