Low voter turnout and late arrival of electoral materials marred Saturday’s local government elections Warri and its environs in Delta state.

In Warri South and Uvwie, materials arrived about 11 a.m. This is even as traders at Igbudu market were seen going about their trade, and commercial operators going about their businesses.

Addressing reporters shortly after casting his vote at Osubi ward 6, unit 33 in Okpe LGA, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori who spoke on the Supreme Court judgement granting local governments financial autonomy in the country, Delta is not worried by the judgement, as the State Government does not tamper with local government funds.

According to him: “Supreme Court has given judgment. It does not affect Delta State Government. In Delta State, we don’t tamper with local government money. As we speak, the money for the local governments is still there. Almost 15 billion is still there.

“I’m a supporter of financial autonomy and as a former speaker, we’re at the forefront of financial autonomy for the legislature and the judiciary. I still believe in it.”

He further expressed confidence that the PDP would emerge victorious in the councils.

Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) has been accused of hoarding sensitive materials for the polls from the opposition.

As of 1p.m, sensitive materials were yet to be delivered across wards in Warri North.

The development led to the major opposition in the state, the All Progressive Congress (APC), to boycott the exercise in some LGAs, citing loss of confidence in DSIEC.

Speaking on the matter, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas who represents Delta South Senatorial District, condemned the commission for failing to release sensitive electoral materials, including result sheets and ballot papers, for the local government council elections.

He spoke at his country home in Emede, Isoko South LGA, accusing DSIEC of colluding with the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to deny citizens their fundamental right to vote, effectively rendering the election invalid.

The Senator alleged that the PDP, APC’s readiness to take over local government affairs, conspired with DSIEC to manipulate the electoral process.

“Democracy worldwide is about the will of the people, but DSIEC and the PDP have conspired to deny citizens their right to elect local government leaders. This is undemocratic and unacceptable,” the senator said.

He asserted that the non-release of sensitive materials constitutes electoral fraud and compromises the election’s integrity.

The Senator advocated for local government autonomy and commended the Federal Government and Supreme Court for taking steps towards this goal.

He stressed the need for constitutional amendment to transfer the power to constitute state electoral commissions from state governors to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Until INEC takes over local government elections, we cannot guarantee the true autonomy of the third tier of government,” Senator Joel-Onowakpo concluded.

APC chieftain in Delta South, Chief Ayirimi Emami, had earlier advocated for INEC to conduct council elections in order to enthrone good governance at the grassroots on the heels of the Supreme Court granting LGs financial autonomy.

Chief Emami who hailed the judgement during the campaigns for the council elections, said President Bola Tinubu was doing what ought to be done.

“What is left is for INEC to come do local government elections. My people we we are winning. The president is doing what he is supposed to do. He knows our problem. He is solving them little by little,” Emami said.

The candidate of the APC for Warri North Akatakpo Omatseye and the Labour Party (LP), along with other party leaders and supporters, including Sir. Amorighoye Mene (for the APC), were gathered at DSIEC office in Koko as early as 6a.m for the distribution of voting materials but waited endlessly for the arrival of the commission’s officials.

Speaking on behalf of the APC, Sir Mene said despite directing them to be at the DSIEC office as early as 6 a.m, there was no sign of its officials. He added that the State Secretary of DSIEC promised to find out the situation, but was yet to revert on the issue.

The APC leader disclosed that security agents were also at the DSIEC office in Koko, and were surprised to find the place deserted.

Mene while noting that it would three hours for materials to arrive at some wards in the LGA, once they leave the DSIEC office stated, “we are here to let the world know that Local Government election did not hold in Warri North”.

It would be noted that In Warri South, Uvwie and Ughelli North LGAs, the APC announced that it was boycotting the election as it no longer had confidence in DSIEC. (The Nation)

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