Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has decried the spate of violent attacks being perpetrated by supporters of some candidates against political opponents, warning against the menace in Delta State.

Dr. Uduaghan, handed down the warning on Thursday night at the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Fund Raising/Dinner Ceremony in Asaba for the party’s governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

He threatened that his administration would not tolerate any form of violence during campaigns and elections in the state, stressing that President Goodluck Jonathan has signed a document with other presidential candidates to avoid anything that would cause violence before, during and after the general elections in the country.

“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, I am committed to peaceful campaign, peaceful elections and victory that will bring in Senator Okowa as the next governor of this state,” he said.

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

He commended the PDP campaign team in the state for doing a good job and called on all party elders and faithful to support the team in order to deliver Senator Okowa in the February 28 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,” the governor 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 as of N1 million as prescribed by the Electoral Act.

In a brief welcome address, the Chairman of the PDP Campaign Organization, 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,” Oyovbaire said.

Also Speaking, the Chairman of the event Mr. Gabriel Ugbechie, explained that the ceremony was put together to raise funds for the realisation of the gubernatorial ambition of Senator Okowa.

Ugbechie, who is the Chief Executive of Rainoil Petroleum, 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, whom, he said, has laid a solid foundation for the state.

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

“Elections naturally don’t come easy, it takes a lot of resources, 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, with Ugbechie and his friends donating the sum of N100 million.

•Photo shows Governor Uduaghan (right) putting heads together with Senator Okowa during the Fund Raising/Dinner Ceremony in Asaba.

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