By Godwin-Maria Utuedoye
Elders and Leaders in Ughelli South Local Government Area, under the aegis of Amalgamated Ughelli South PDP Elders and Leaders (AUSPEL), have faulted a communique issued after an inconclusive meeting held at the council secretariat that Chief John Oguma was endorsed as a leader.
The leaders in a communique issued at the end of their meeting and signed by Olorogun Dr. Matthew Kwode, SSA Political to the Governor; Mr. Simon Umudi, SSA Protocol to the Governor; Chief Samuel Oghotomo, SSA on Security to the Governor: Chief Samuel Oboramowhoyeren, former Chairman of the party and SSA to the Governor; Olorogun Vincent Oduaran, former Chairman of the party and SSA Political to the Governor.
Others who signed included, Chief John Ewenede, former Supervisor, Ms Mercy Ugbobor, SA to the Governor; Chief Henry Abizor, Chairman of all President Generals in the LGA; Prince Steven Ovedje, SSA Youth to the Governor; Hon. Chief Omejevwe Duku, former Councilor; Dr. Kingsley Akeni; Prince Sony Jifas Ogbon, SA to the Governor on Youths and Community Development; Chief Jabin Ighomena, SA Political to the Governor; Olorogun Godwin Sito, former Supervisor and many others, stated that there was no iota of truth in the said communique signed by the Chairman of the party, Hon. Michael Oshetigho.
According to the Elders and Leaders, “what happened was that the meeting ended in fiasco when Chief Samuel Oghotomo was assaulted and presumed to have been killed.
“Instead of the LGA party chairman to condemned the act, he came up with a purported communique of vote of confidence and endorsement, which never occured because the meeting was inconclusive”.
The elders and leaders while condemning the attack on Chief Samuel Oghotomo who was invited for the meeting, stated clearly that the party chairman who was supposed to play an unbiased umpire to all PDP members, had constituted himself to a major player to some cabals who felt that whatever they decided was final in the party.
The Ughelli South Elders and Leaders Forum reiterated their resolve to follow Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Vice Presidential Candidate of the party on critical decisions as it affects the party.
They called on party members who just registered for INEC PVCs to go to the office at Otu-Jeremi to pick their cards and vote for all PDP candidates, come 2023 general elections in the country.