APC, DPP Reject Delta Senatorial Bye-Election Results As Aguariavwodo Dedicates Victory “To God”

BY: FUNMI OJUROYE  October 14th 2013

Emmanuel Aguariavwodo

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Democratic People’s Party have rejected the outcome of Saturday’s bye-election for the Delta Central senatorial seat. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Emmanuel Aguariavwodo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election. But the APC’s candidate, O'tega Emerhor, and Ede Dafinone, the DPP’s candidate, declared the result as a scam, adding that the battle had just begun.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Mr. Emerhor described the election as one of the worst things that have happened in the nation’s current democratic system. He stated that he and his party rejected the election result, demanding its cancellation.
“I hereby place it on record that no bye-election took place. What took place was a sham calculated to select a senator by the government and all its agencies working together to achieve this nefarious and predetermined outcome. The whole environment was militarized with roadblocks where voters were intimidated to stay at home and [steer] clear of polling units.”
The APC candidate accused INEC of compromised its responsibility and conducting an election designed to favor the PDP. He alleged that the Nigerian Army aided and abetted the snatching of ballot papers by the PDP stalwarts and thugs, stating that these acts were carried out right under the eyes of soldiers.
Also rejecting the result, Mr. Dafinone of the DPP stated that there was no election as far as he was concerned. According to him, the election was marred by large-scale impunity, assault, molestations and violence by PDP thugs, cultists hired by the PDP, and by security agents as well.
“Security apparatuses were seen supporting the PDP in the brazen use of thugs to unleash violence and mayhem on our party members and the electorate. Thus there is now very serious concern for the progress of our nascent democracy and diminishing hope for peace, unity and good governance of Nigeria now and in the immediate future. The election was a complete sham.”  
While calling for the cancellation of the election, the aggrieved DPP candidate noted that the significant confidence brought into elections in 2011 due to visible improvement on the 2003 and 2007 elections was completely wiped off at last Saturday’s senatorial election. He described the exercise as a clear case of naked criminality, not an election.
“Because our agents were openly shot at and maimed yesterday, as it was in 2003 and 2007, we are able to say that the days where elections are gun wars are back. Because INEC officials and NYSC ad hoc personnel bluntly refused to go out to conduct the election in several places, we are also able to categorically say that government, through these agencies, decided the outcome of the election in a clearly premeditated manner. INEC did not release or issue out election result sheets and other sensitive election materials in most places, but ‘results’ somehow managed to emerge in favor of the PDP. We are able to say that the so-called results were made to suit the PDP even before any election.”
Meanwhile, the declared winner, Emmanuel Aguariavwodo of the PDP, has described his victory at the poll as “an act of God.” He therefore dedicated his victory “to God and the people of senatorial district.”
Speaking with journalists, Mr. Aguariavwodo commended the people of Urhobo ethnic group, members of the PDP, and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for his support. He added that the Urhobo people will continue to remain grateful to Mr. Uduaghan and promised to do his best to ensure that he brings the dividends of democracy to his people.
Also, Governor Uduaghan attributed the party’s controversial victory at the polls to its strong ward structure. According to him, the victory had shown that the PDP has built a strong ward structure in the state. He urged party members not go to sleep because of the victory, but rather to work towards strengthening their wards.
Speaking in Warri, Mr. Uduaghan boasted, “We are here today and we are victorious. We must remain united and must not be carried away by this victory. More elections are coming. From this election it has shown that we have built a strong ward structure in Delta State, and that is what had given us the victory that we are celebrating today. Let us go back to our wards and strengthen them.”
While congratulating Mr. Aguariavwodo for his victory, Governor Uduaghan advised him to always remember his root when he gets to the senate, stressing that he must bring the dividends of democracy to the Urhobo people. 
“May this not be the last time we are going to see you. Always find time to come back home and consult with your people so that when you go back you can fight for their rights. Go and bring all the dividends of democracy to your people.”
On Sunday, John Arubaye, INEC’s chief returning officer for Saturday’s senatorial bye-election, declared Mr. Aguariavwodo the winner. The returning officer announced that the PDP candidate received 263, 024 votes to beat his closest opponent, Mr. Emerhor of the APC, who was credited with 29,075 votes. Mr. Dafinone of the DPP was reported to have polled 29,055 votes.