By Andrew Ikehi
The Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has enjoined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to uphold its unbiased and independent status in the forth coming general elections.
Oborevwori, who is the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic party (PDP) in the 2023 governorship election in the State, gave the charge when members of the commission paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Asaba, the State capital.
Joined by other members of the state house ho assembly to receive the visitors, the Oborevwori urged the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Revd. Monday Udoh Tom, and his team to ensure that they provided a level playing field for all the candidates in the 2023 general elections, irrespective of their political parties.
While assuring the commission of the state legislature’s readiness to sustain its partnership with it in enhancing robust, free, fair and credible election in the state, Rt. Hon. Oborevwori lauded the commission for the successful conduct and completion of the permanent voters’ registration exercise.
He said, “on behalf of the principal officers and members of the Delta State House of Assembly, I heartily welcome you and your team to the Assembly.
“The Delta State House of Assembly as an institution has always maintained a cordial relationship with your Commission. And we hope to continue in that regard.
“I want to commend you for choosing the Assembly as one of your first ports of call for your Commission’s advocacy geared toward PVC collection/political campaign sensitisation in the state.
“This is a smart decision by your Commission. I say this because the Assembly is a collection of all representatives of the people at the state level. When you get it right with the Assembly, I can assure you that your work is half done.
“Let me seize this opportunity to thank you and your Commission for the just- concluded continuous Voter Registration Exercise ( CVR) in the state.
“The exercise was seamless and provided opportunity for Deltans and other residents who are of voting age to be registered for the forthcoming general elections.
As representatives of the people and major stakeholders in the political community, we have always stressed to our constituents in various constituency engagements the need for them to collect their PVCs.
“Your visit today has reinforced our commitment to further push those that have not collected their PVCs to do so”, Oborevwori assured.
Earlier in his address, the REC, Revd Monday Udom Tom, told the Speaker that they were in his office as part of the Commission’s continuous sensitisation on PVC collection and political campaigns.
He charged the speaker and other critical stakeholders in the state to rise up to the task of educating their subjects and constituents on the need to go and collect the PVCs as critical tool in casting their votes for their preferred candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
