THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been urged to seek updating of the electoral act to accommodate individual candidature in subsequent general elections.
This was the submission of a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Chief Henry Ofa during the inauguration of the Association of Registered Political Parties (ARPP), Delta Central senatorial wing on Sunday at Orhuwhorun road, Udu Local Government Area.
Ofa, a former commissioner of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), argued that the initiative would enable “citizens vote in candidates who may not enjoy the support of their party caucus but are fully backed by the unflinching support of a larger percentage of the voting population of our state and country.”
The PDP chieftain added that “it is my opinion that other criteria besides party primaries be set up to allow credible candidates contest in elections on the platform of their credibility and wide acceptability.”
Chief Ofa, who was chairman of the inauguration, had earlier appealed to representatives of the various political parties at the event to support the second term bid of Okowa.
“I will passionately appeal to the representatives of the various political parties in the state to assiduously work hard to return Governor Okowa to the Delta State Government House, Asaba because he has creditably done well.
No doubts, we are in a time when electoral candidates should be supported not mainly on the basis of their political party or ethnic affiliations, but because of their verifiable credibility, leadership wit and the confidence of the masses that such candidate will deliver when voted into power,” he averred.
He called on the electorate in the state to ensure they participated in the ongoing voter registration exercise.
Meanwhile, Chairman of ARPP, Comrade David Ashikodi has, also called on all Deltans to vote Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for second term come 2019 general elections.
According to him, what should determine who to become governor of the state in 2019 should be based on credibility and track records.
He emphasized the need for the over 12 political parties forming the association to support Okowa constructively beyond 2019, saying “we’re not interested in the party but the individual interested in the position and this person is Okowa.”
Participants at the event include chairmen of the political parties such as PDP, Accord Party and Labour Party among others at senatorial, local government and ward levels across the state.
Highlights of the event were donations made to the association by stalwarts of political parties which are members of the association.
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