The governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Delta State, Frank Ufuoma Esanubi has faulted outcome of the election in which Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was reelected as governor.
Esanubi, in a statement, described the election as marred by monetisation of franchise, militarisation, allocation of ballots; and voters’ apathy in many parts of the State.
“Although we did not win the election, we have a measure of victory by enlisting converts into the army of well-meaning Deltans, and indeed Nigerians that will continue to work, and walk towards a Delta State.
“Although the election was marred by the monetisation of franchise, allocation of ballots; and voters’ apathy in many parts of the State, I congratulate the winner of the election, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi A. Okowa of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
“I pray that you will maximise God’s grace to lead Delta State to the path of sustainable developments.
“While votes were obviously allocated in favour of our opponents, and suppression of ours, a seeming punishment for our advocacy against the ills in the State, we remain committed to being a robust opposition to your government in a manner that will encourage good governance in our dear State.
“Our political quest has been to evolve a Delta State that works for all through public sector reforms, pro-people policies, modern infrastructural development, creation of opportunities, transparency, accountability, and godliness.
“Although the majority elected to sustain the current political order, we do not mock them. The victims of dehumanising politics deserve further re-orientation, and enlightenment; to these, we remain committed.
“One thing the established political class has succeeded to do is the mass impoverishment of Deltans. They deliberately ensure the spread of hunger, and poverty among the populace, such that most of them lose the will to reject the crumbs that the political class throws at them during electioneering periods.
“Through hunger-induced politics, the established political class has been able to sustain their dangerous grip on the people, and their progress. They have not performed. They only returned to their hitherto abandoned constituents with peanuts in exchange for their votes.
“We hope that going forward, the electorate will realise that their socio-political emancipation lies in their resolve to reject every bait that leaves them in conditioned socio-political servitude.
“In the midst of this menace, we remain true to our political philosophy: that sacrifice on the parts of all is the foundation for egalitarianism; to equally, and collectively own our dear State, the populace should not monetise their franchise, for where there is a buyer, there is an owner; where there is no buyer, everyone is an equal owner,” the statement read.
