February Polls: Deltans Donate Generously To Okowa's Campaign Funds

…As Uduaghan Warns Against Pre-Election Violence
SAN FRANCISCO, January 24, (THEWILL) – Prominent indigenes of Delta State and supporters of the Senator Ifeanyi Okowa's Governorship project on Thursday opened their treasury to donate handsomely to the success of the campaign of the People Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state.

Chairman of the fundraiser/dinner, who is also the Chief Executive of Rainoil Petroleum Company, Mr. Gabriel Ugbechie, kick-started the donation for the campaign with a princely sum of N100million .

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who also attended the fundraising dinner used the occasion to warn against the spate of violent attacks being perpetrated by supporters of candidates against political opponents across the country, saying the state government would not tolerance the menace in the State.

He reminded all PDP candidates that President Goodluck Jonathan had signed a document with other Presidential Candidates to avoid anything that would cause violence before, during and after the general elections in the country and therefore urged all PDP candidates seeking elective offices to abide by the accord.

Specifically, the Governor warned that his administration would not tolerate any form of violence during campaigns and elections in the state.

“I condemn the act of violence that happened at the campaign rallies in Burutu and Patani few days back. That is not acceptable in Delta State. l am committed to peaceful campaign, peaceful elections and victory that will bring in Senator Okowa as the next governor of this state,” he said.

Uduaghan therefore appealed to party leaders to curtail the excesses of their followers/supporters, stating that anyone caught fomenting trouble and violence in the state, especially during campaigns and elections would be severely dealt with by the security agencies.

The Governor however commended the PDP campaign team in the state for the good work they have done so far and called on all party elders and faithful to support the team in order to deliver Senator Okowa in the February election, describing the party flag bearer as a marketable candidate.

“We need to double our efforts as a team, work harder and double our aspirations, we need all the support of our elders. Listen to them so as to be able to deliver our party's candidate. He is qualified for the position, he has the credentials and is marketable,” he said.

He persuaded all present at the occasion to join hands with the party to raise enough funds for the campaign of Senator Okowa and other PDP candidates but advised that the funds raised must be within the acceptable limits of N1 million as prescribed by the Electoral Act.

Chairman of the PDP Campaign Organisation, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, commended Governor Uduaghan for fostering unity in the party which has ensured peace and unity.

“The governor made it easy for PDP and Deltans to be united, he made political sacrifices to achieve this. The Uduaghan administration has built the spirit of partnership, this is for the benefit of the state,” he said.

Earlier, Chairman of the Occasion and Chief Executive of Rainoil Petroleum Company, Ugbechie, explained that the ceremony was put together to raise funds for the realisation of the gubernatorial ambition of Senator Okowa.

He observed that Senator Okowa has been politically active in the state in the last 16 years and would be a worthy successor of Governor Uduaghan who has laid a solid foundation for the state.

Ugbechie encouraged all to play their part by supporting the candidate and give him the necessary backing he needed to emerge as the next governor of the state.

“Elections naturally don't come easy, they take a lot of resources, and we need to put our resources where our wishes and desires are. It is necessary that we do so at this ceremony,” he said.

Hundreds of millions of naira were raised at the occasion which was attended by Deltans from all walks of life.