By Abel Johngold Orheruata
The Coalition of Accredited Observers in Delta State for the 2019 General Elections, has commended the Delta State Governor elect, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for providing enough sensitization and awareness to his people on the need for their active participation in all electoral processes, in the just concluded general elections in the State.
The coalition, comprising domestic observer groups accredited to monitor the 2019 general elections in Delta State, led by its Chairman Alhaji Danladi Sado and Secretary Mr Toju Tuoyo, made the commendation today during a joint Press briefing in Asaba, on the outcome of the elections in the State.
The group of Accredited Observers noted that the awareness provided by the State Government prior to the elections, helped the electorate to conduct themselves in a manner devoid of all forms of acrimony.
The Domestic Observers disclosed that their strength and operation had spread across all nooks and crannies of the State during the period of the elections, which gave them on the spot account of all activities in all communities in the State, also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members ad-hoc staff and the security agencies, most especially the Nigeria Army, for a job well done.
“The military personnel, most especially the soldiers in Delta State, were very civil in their approach to this domestic exercise as they did not in any way interfere with the will of the people by trying to cow electorate to favour any political party.
“They were unbiased in carrying out their duties and except for instances where they had to caution to prevent suspect security breaches, they acquitted themselves with professional excellence.,” the Observers disclosed.
While stating that the reports from the fields were virtually unanimous and commending all those involved in the elections, the Coalition of Observers added that they were quite optimistic that the outcome would be accepted by all political parties because the process they witnessed was free, fair and devoid of any political malpractice to a great extent.
The group however revealed that there was initial apprehensions, most especially from the two major political parties, but the tension was doused from the peaceful and credible manner in which the elections were conducted and while admitting that hitches did occur in some areas, quickly added that they were quite insignificant and isolated and not worthy of mention.
The group which thanked INEC for giving them the opportunity to observe the elections in Delta State as unbiased Observers, wished the Delta State Governor a successful second tenure in advance and urged him to continue with the good deeds that gave him overwhelming votes in the 2019 gubernatorial election in Delta State.