NDC hopeful calls for openness in Delta party elections

Julius Efeni Akbovoka, a House of Representatives aspirant for the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has urged the party leadership to prioritize transparency and adherence to due process in the primary election for the Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency of Delta State.

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Akbovoka, who spoke to journalists in Abuja, emphasized the need for the party to accurately reflect the outcome of the primaries as recorded at various voting centres, as he had yet to receive official confirmation of the final result.

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His decision to address the media was motivated by the need for clarity regarding the outcome of the exercise and compliance with party guidelines, Akbovoka explained.

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Akbovoka disclosed that he resigned from his former political party on April 30 and joined the NDC, after which he actively participated in party programmes, including its convention and nationwide membership registration exercise.

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He revealed that his team mobilised thousands of new members into the party across the constituency and participated in the primaries after purchasing the required expression of interest form.

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Akbovoka, a former councillor and local government official, said he was screened alongside other aspirants based on criteria such as capacity, competence, and character before being cleared to contest.

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He presented figures he claimed were obtained from voting centres, showing that he scored 1,205 votes in Ughelli North, 350 votes in Ughelli South, and 283 votes in Udu Local Government Area.

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According to Akbovoka, his closest rival scored 205 votes in Ughelli North, 285 votes in Ughelli South, and 305 votes in Udu, giving him a total of 795 votes for his rival and 1,838 for himself, but the closest rival's actual total was stated as 560 for the rival and 1,840 for himself.

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Akbovoka maintained that the primary election was conducted in the presence of security personnel and party officials, and said he possesses documents backing the results he presented.

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Despite his claims, Akbovoka said the party has not formally communicated its final position on the election, prompting him to submit a petition to the party’s appeal committee seeking a review of the results.

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Akbovoka urged the leadership to ensure compliance with party rules, stating that he is not asking for any alteration of figures in his favour, but rather a proper review and treatment of the results in line with the party’s rules.

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The aspirant also said he had consulted prominent party leaders, including former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege and former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, who advised him to pursue internal dispute resolution mechanisms.

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Meanwhile, the NDC leadership had yet to respond to the allegations at the time of filing this report, as tension continues to rise among aspirants.

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The party prepares to announce official results of its nationwide primaries conducted on May 28 and 29, with the National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, having earlier urged members of the public to disregard unauthorised results circulating on social media.

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According to Osa Director, only the National Executive Council (NEC) has authority to release official outcomes, and a NEC meeting has been scheduled in Abuja, with final decisions on candidates expected to be communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after due collation and verification.

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Party insiders say the delay is aimed at ensuring accuracy and resolving disputes arising from the primaries, as aspirants await the final list of candidates.