DELTA SPEAKER, SAM OBI, SWORN IN AS ACTING GOV

Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Prince Sam Obi, was yesterday sworn in as acting governor of the state. The swearing in ceremony by the state's Chief Judge, Justice Roseline Bozimo, took place at exactly 5.15 pm at the executive chambers of Government House amidst tight security. Only some top government functionaries and few journalists, amongst others, were allowed to  witness the ceremony.

The development was sequel to the nullification of the  April 14, 2007 governorship election  by the Court of Appeal, sitting in Benin, Edo State. The court had  ruled that the electoral process which brought Dr.  Emmanuel Uduaghan to power, was marred by irregularities. The five-man panel of judges  also ordered a fresh election to be conducted within 90 days.

Taking his oath of office as acting governor  of  the state, Obi urged all Delta natives to  be law abiding  and co-operate with him  as he oversees the  affairs of the state within the  specified period . Below are excerpts of his speech:

'In obedience  to the constitution of Nigeria, I have subscribed to the oath of office  as acting governor of Delta State.While my stay in office will be temporary in line with the provisions of the law, pending the conduct of fresh election, I pledge to ensure  stability of government, peace and security of lives and property in the state.

'I wish to appeal to Deltans and friends of the state to remain calm and go about their normal duties and endeavours . Let me assure all and sundry that the State Government will do all within its powers to ensure that  the machinery of government  continues without let and hindrance.

'I want to also  charge the law enforcement agencies to ensure that the events of the last few hours  are not capitalised upon by nefarious  persons to cause any form of  disaffection  or acrimony  in the state.' While accepting the onerous responsibility  that had been  entrusted upon him, Obi  thanked all and sundry for their support and solidarity.

Reacting to the  judgment,  State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Peter Nwoboshi, called on  the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC ) to quickly release the date for the fresh election, saying come  rain or  shine 'we are ready for the re-run.' Similarly, the Uduaghan Campaign Organisation (UCO),  in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Chike Ogeah, urged all supporters, friends and good people of Delta State to remain calm as there was no cause for alarm over the recent decision of the court.

According to him, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has accepted the Appeal Court's decision in good faith and expressed his implicit confidence in  the country's  courts of law to dispense justice without fear or favour. 'He appreciates the fact that the court's decision in indeed, testimony that our democracy is taking root and firmly being established. It is an experience that is  part of the process to strengthen and deepen our democracy.'

On his part, Chief Great Ogboru, the Democratic People's Party (DPP) governorship candidate who won the former Gov. Uduaghan at  the Appellate court, expressed satisfaction over the judgment. Ogboru revealed during telephone interview with Daily Sun that, 'we suffered a great deal at the lower tribunal.'