Oborevwori
Gov says PDP will triumph in Delta LG polls, hails judgement on council autonomy
The results of the Delta State local government election are been expected as Governor Sheriff Oborevwori gave pass mark for the conduct of the election.
The governor spoke in the wake of the recent Supreme Court judgement granting financial autonomy to local government areas, while he was casting his vote in the election.
According to him, the judgement is in tune with what the state has been practicing as the state government does not touch money belonging to the local government areas.
He said, “The Supreme Court has given judgement but you can see that we believe in that same process. That is why when I came in, I did not constitute a transition committee in Delta State, I am not in support of a transition committee.
“Today, by the grace of God we are doing an election and by early next week, those who won will be sworn in. So, the issue of the Supreme Court judgement does not affect the Delta State government because we don’t tamper with local government money. As we speak, the money for the last three months is still there, almost N14 billion is still there waiting for the chairmen to take over.
“So, we don’t touch government money, we augment. So whether the Supreme Court said they should have autonomy, I believe in financial autonomy. I am a former Speaker, we were at the forefront of financial autonomy for the legislator and the judiciary, so that judgement does not affect Delta State.”
The Governor insisted that the local government election in the state is free and fair, saying the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will come out victorious in the election.
The election was held in 5,863 polling units, and 500 wards across 25 local government areas in the State.
Only Thursday, the Supreme Court in the lead judgement declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold onto funds meant for local government (LG) administrations.
The court also declared as unconstitutional for governors to dissolve democratically elected Local Government councils in the country.
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