GROUP lauds Ughelli South II Court decision

… Calls on INEC to immediately implement the decision

... Parties should hold special primaries immediately - Atawa

By Rev. (Prof.) Alex Akpodiete Atawa

The unrelenting Court battle to re-establish Ughelli South II Constituency in Delta State may have come to a head as the Court of Appeals in Benin on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 denied the application for Stay filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

The electoral body was trying to circumvent the decision of the High Court October last year. The decision is expected to bring the dividends of democracy closer to people of that section of Ughelli South Local Government Area. The concern now is what the action of INEC should be to immediately effectuate the Court decision as the State House of Assembly Elections is on April 11, 2015.

A group called Okparabe Indigenes for Goodluck & Okowa (OIFGO) applauded the decision, calling it one of the best things to have happened to the area in a long time. They looked forward to electing someone that will go to Asaba and intelligently represent them. 

The group, alongside Atawa Political vanguard (APV), has started passing out flyers as part of their door-to-door, store-store, and one-on-one campaign for the re-election of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as President on March 28, 2015 and Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as Governor of Delta State on April 11, 2015.

In a conversation with journalists immediately after the Court verdict, a respected indigene of Okparabe in the said constituency and former aspirant for House of Representatives, Rev. (Prof.) Alex Akpodiete Atawa, stated that the decision was a welcomed development. When asked whether he will be entering the race, he explained that he was still consulting but that the people of Okparabe deserves a shot at the seat, since they have never held any visible position in government, both at the national or state level. 

He, however, called on the various political parties to conduct primaries to select their respective flag bearers. It is expected that should Rev. Atawa enter the race, he will be the candidate to beat based on his intimidating academic qualifications and international experience. The respected ordained Man of God and international lawyer is also known for his humility and ability to reach out to everyone.

The pressure is now on INEC to implement the decision and ensure that the people of Ughelli South II are not disenfranchised.