PDP Stole Our Victory In Delta North – Accord

The Delta State chapter of the Accord Party has vowed to contest the result of Delta North senatorial election, saying the Peoples Democratic Party stole their victory at the polls by manipulating the results.

The Chairman of Accord Party in the state, David Ashikodi, told our correspondent that they have proof that the election results in Delta North were manipulated in favour the PDP to rig out their party’s candidate, Chief Victor Ochei, who was coasting to victory.

According to the result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, Ochei came second behind the PDP’s candidate, Peter Nwaoboshi.

Ashikodi said, “The PDP was desperate to win the election at all cost. Due democratic process was not followed, there were so many anomalies that were anti-democracy. We, as a party, are thinking of contesting the result as announced by INEC. For example, one of the electoral officers that came to present results said there were 20 political parties that contested the senatorial seat in Delta North, whereas there were only 12.

“It was the electoral officer of Aniocha South. He said there were 20 political parties that contested the election and votes were allotted to all the 20 parties. When raised the issue, the returning officer saw my reason, and asked him to go and tidy up his document. This means that results were written, ballot boxes were snatched. They used security operatives to harass our supporters.

“There is no doubt about the fact that my principal, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei won that election for Delta North senatorial seat, but he was denied victory through manipulation. For now, as a party we are looking at our options, to see how best to contest the result of the election.”

The Publicity Secretary of Delta PDP, Macaulay Deghan, refuted Ashikodi’s claim saying there was no way an Accord candidate could defeat a PDP candidate in a PDP state like Delta.

He said, “Those are unfounded stories. It is a very clear fact that they are not on ground and they are claiming we manipulated the election result. I don’t know where they want to get the human beings to vote for them. Does Accord have a structure in Delta North? Do you manufacture supporters overnight?

“Their candidate was in the PDP and he defected weeks to the election. Do you think people were happy with him? More so, Delta is predominantly PDP. They are just crying wolf. Forget about the Accord people they are all coming back to the PDP.”