Uduaghan may face another election in April…wins first round
However, Uduaghan may have only passed his first hurdle because going by the amended constitution, Uduaghan may have to take part in the April elections if he is retained as the party’s flag-bearer. The amendment stipulates that in the event of a re-run, periods enjoyed by the incumbent before the re-run will be taken into […]
However, Uduaghan may have only passed his first hurdle because going by the amended constitution, Uduaghan may have to take part in the April elections if he is retained as the party’s flag-bearer.
The amendment stipulates that in the event of a re-run, periods enjoyed by the incumbent before the re-run will be taken into account, which is why elections are to be held in Adamawa, Bayelsa, Kogi, Sokoto, Cross Rivers amongst others were PDP governors sacked by courts were re-elected after re-runs even as their re-elections have not lasted up to four years.
The governors have since filed cases in courts seeking extension of time for them to stay four years from dates of their swearing-in after re-run victories. The cases are yet to be determined.
Added to the act’s provision was the verdict of the Supreme Court in October, 2007 which ruled that Rotimi Amaechi be sworn-in as valid governor of Rivers State in place of sitting Celestine Omehia on the argument that there was no need for fresh elections as popularly expected on the basis that it was the mandate was given PDP by voters at the 2007 elections as since Amaechi’s substitution was without cogent and verifiable reason required by the electoral act, 2006, he should be sworn-in.
This explains why Amaechi is taking part in tomorrow’s PDP primaries for April elections instead of October which should have been when his tenure ends.
President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated Emmanuel Uduaghan on his victory in the election in a congratulatory message that said Uduaghan’s victory is an affirmation of the confidence and the trust the people of Delta State have in his able leadership. But the DPP has described the return of by INEC as fraudulent.
The DPP in a statement yesterday in Abuja accused the electoral umpire, the security agencies and the PDPof complicity in what it called fraudulent shortchange in the Delta. The statement read in part: “The actions of the PDP has once again shown that in spite of its pretention to allow a free, fair and credible elections in 2011,it is obsessed with its desire to retain power at all cost, including the use of brigandage and the manipulation of all official apparatus.’’
While bemoaning the role of INEC in yesterday contest, the party said the ability of the electoral umpire to perform up to expectations is still in doubt despite the personality of the Commission’s head, Professor, Attahiru Jega.