Women and youths of Ovwian Community in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State staged a protest over alleged irregularities in the community executive election held on December 26, 2023.
The protesters voiced their concerns, carrying placards with various inscriptions and demanding a fair and transparent electoral process.
One of the aspirants for the Assistant Secretary General position, Mr. Emmanuel Potokri, joined by Mr. Ramsey Boyi and Mr. Clement Akaba, addressed reporters during the protest, highlighting the issues that prompted their demonstration.
They particularly raised objections to the inclusion of strangers as delegates in the election, which they argued violated the interlocutory injunction of the High Court at Otor-Udu.
Potokri stated, “The inclusion of strangers as delegates goes against the court’s directive that no statutory delegate should be deprived of their franchise. This irregularity compromises the integrity of the election process.”
The protesters, wielding placards with messages such as “Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Our Amiable Governor, Call Sakpra to Order,” and “We want the entire process canceled,” expressed their dissatisfaction with the conduct of the election.
They alleged that Chief Henry Sakpra, the former Commissioner for Special Duties, manipulated the process to favor his preferred candidates.
The aggrieved individuals drew attention to past community elections, including those of Chief Gabriel Sefia and Chief Steve Sokoh, asserting that these elections proceeded without the irregularities witnessed in the recent one.
In their plea to Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the protesters urged him to intervene and summon Chief Henry Sakpra to address the allegations of manipulation in the electoral process.
They emphasized the need for a fair and just resolution to ensure the credibility of the community election in Ovwian.
