Delta State Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appealed to party faithful and voters in the state to ignore the fake announcement reported in some communities alleging that one of the founding fathers of PDP and former governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, has thrown his weight behind APC in this Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly elections.
Spokesperson of the Council, Olorogun Barr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, in a statement on Wednesday, urged Deltans and registered voters, especially members of PDP in the state to ignore the unauthorized announcement, saying that Chief James Onanefe Ibori, will not now or in the near future involve himself in any unlawful anti-party activity as the fake directive seem to suggest.
He said Delta APC and her governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, have again shown that they don’t have the grassroots support and the popularity to win the gubernatorial election, hence they have mischievously adopted misinformation, lies and media propaganda to deceive gullible voters, noting that no sane Deltan will believe APC propagandists in their latest desperate attempt to misinform the public and voters.
Oghenesivbe, who is also the executive assistant on communications to Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, recalled that Chief Ibori recently assured leaders and stakeholders of the party in Delta Central, few days to the presidential and national assembly elections at his Oghara country home, that no circumstances will warrant him to resign his membership of the PDP.
He disclosed that Chief Ibori at the well-attended meeting assured that he would continue to support all the candidates of PDP in the ongoing general elections, urging Ethiope leaders and stakeholders to deliver his look-alike daughter, Rt Hon Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu at the polls, and she won the House of Representatives seat, and subsequently collected member elect certificate for Ethiope Federal Constituency.
Oghenesivbe appealed to all eligible voters in Delta state to disregard the fake announcement masterminded by some desperate APC members, and to vote Sheriff Oborevwori and all house of assembly candidates of PDP this Saturday March 18.
“Delta APC and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege’s desperate attempt to grab power has taken a new unscrupulous dimension. They are panicking and nervous over the soaring popularity and series of endorsements for PDP governorship candidate, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, JP.
“Their overzealous campaigners are going round communities across the state, alleging that former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, has directed all registered voters to vote APC on Saturday March 18. This is desperation taken too far. Ibori never gave such directive.
“Our findings clearly revealed that our national leader and former governor, Chief James Ibori, did not authorize the fake endorsement of APC, and knew nothing about the announcements making the rounds. It is APC and Senator Agege desperation to win election by hook or crook.
“Chief Ibori assured leadership of PDP and stakeholders in Delta Central Senatorial District at his Oghara residence few days before the presidential and national assembly elections that he would continue to support all candidates of PDP; including his daughter, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, now House of Representatives member elect for Ethiope Federal Constituency under PDP.
“PDP Delta hereby states categorically that Chief Ibori is still a highly respected member of PDP, and will not be involved in any anti party activity as erroneously portrayed by the fake announcement.
“The best governorship candidate for the election remains Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori of the PDP. Support him, vote PDP on Saturday March 18.
“Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E agenda will advance Delta State through meaningful development, opportunity for all Deltans, realistic reforms and enhanced peace and security, anchored on transparency, accountability, honesty and open-door policy,” Oghenesivbe said.
