-By Michael J. Ekokoruwe:
The election into the position of 1st vice president of Olomoro Community Development Union, zoned to Ukoli quarters in Olomoro Community, Isoko South local government area, has degenerated into crisis as Hon. Chief Alex Izogo, former councilor Olomoro Community reject results of election and demanded for constitutional based election towards equity, Justice and transparent constitution of the new executives of Olomoro Community Development Union.
Speaking to newsmen at Oleh, Isoko South local government area during a peaceful protest, Alex Izogo, an aspirant contesting for the position of 1st vice president of Olomoro Community Development Union, barated the chairman of electoral committee Ukoli quarter, hon. Chief Kingsley Ologbo and chairman Ukoli quarters Olomoro Community Chief Festus Johnny, for secretly conducting the zoned Ukoli quarters election at Oleh stadium instead of the community Hall at Olomoro.
Izogo noted that, the community quarters election held on the 31st of August 2022, was adjourned to 1st September 2022 due to irregularities and ambiguous delegate lists. He lamented that while waiting for the adjourned election to hold at Ukoli hall Olomoro, some high profiled political leaders of the community connived with Kingsley Ologbo and Festus Johnny and secretly conducted the election at Oleh stadium while himself and Chief Philip Esalomi, one of the aspirant were absent.
The former councilor posited that it is unconditional for Olomoro Community Quarter election to have been secretly conducted outside the community and appealed to Delta State governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and the local government chairman of Isoko South, hon. Victor Asasa to disragard any fictitious name forwarded for recognition.
Alex Izogo stated that, the adjourned election on 31st of August 2022, was in the presence of the Nigeria Police, Army and representatives of the local government council led by hon. Henry Edogho, supervisory councilor for health and environment, adding that to have conducted the election at Oleh stadium is contrary to Olomoro Community constitution and declared the election unacceptable.
For his part, Chief Philip Esalomi, one of the aspirant contesting for the position of 1st vice president of Olomoro Community Development Union, distant himself from the Oleh stadium election, noting that he was also deprived from participating in the Ukoli quarters election and appealed that the election be conducted at Olomoro under supervision of the president general of Olomoro Community Development Union, Chief Commander Samuel Edafewotu.
When contacted, the chairman of electoral committee, Chief Kingsley Ologbo and chairman Ukoli quarters Olomoro, Chief Festus Johnny, explained that the election was adjourned from 31st August 2022 to 1st September 2022 and shifted to Oleh stadium, to avoid crisis that could have resulted to destruction of properties and loss of lives due to threats and tension experienced.
They maintained that, letters were sent to the state government through the commissioner ministry of women affairs and social development, the chairman Isoko South local government area, hon. Victor Asasa and the Division Police Officer of Oleh station, stating that the 45 delegates billed for the election were 15 each from Enuru, Eviewho and Eteso streets respectively.
They further stated that, only the delegate lists from Enuru and Eviewho were received, which according to them was the subject of controversy that lead the adjournment of the election, adding that only Chief Godday Umah and Chief Amiri Jonathan, both aspirants participated in the Oleh stadium election.
Reacting to the development, the president general of Olomoro Community Development Union, Chief Commander Samuel Edafewotu said, only election results of Egbo and Uruabe quarters has been submitted to him, just as he appealed to all aspirants participating in the Ukoli quarters election to exercise restraint, maintain integrity and be peaceful in the conduct of the community zoned quarters election.
