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THE PRE-DETERMINED SPECTACLE OF DELTA STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

During a mega rally at the Cenotaph in Asaba, the Delta State PDP leadership and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori exuded confidence about their prospects in the forthcoming Local Government Council elections on July 13, 2024. This optimism seems warranted given the typical predictability of local election results.

While such displays might ordinarily be overlooked, they underscore a deeper issue: the disenfranchisement of Deltans through undemocratic practices leading up to these elections. Governor Oborevwori, viewed by some as a beneficiary of a flawed electoral system, mocked detractors by commenting on their inability to win even their polling units in previous elections.

The notion that these elections might be free from manipulation appears naïve. The process of selecting the PDP’s chairmanship candidates, devoid of any primary elections and driven by decisions from the former Governor and the current governor’s office, points to an already determined outcome for the July 13th election.

This situation prompts a crucial question: why spend an estimated N6 billion on what many see as a façade of an election? For numerous Deltans, the governor's promises of a transparent and fair electoral process are seen as farcical, given the PDP's history of election manipulation.

Political analysts in Delta State remain skeptical of the governor's assurances that every vote will matter in the upcoming poll. Despite the PDP’s potential to win in a genuinely fair election, they are expected to rely on their established methods of securing victory through rigging.

The PDP's campaign strategy, highlighted by the "mega rally" in Asaba, fosters an illusion of democratic engagement, suggesting that votes will determine the local government leadership. This strategy supports the appearance of democratic elections, despite underlying manipulations.

Historically, the Delta PDP's campaigns involve extensive efforts, soliciting votes through various means, including vote-buying, lobbying, intimidation, and rigging. This comprehensive approach ensures their dominance in elections.

Consequently, it is anticipated that the PDP will continue its streak of victories across all twenty-five councils in the upcoming local government elections, as has been the case in previous years.


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