We did not deny LP facility for rally — Delta Govt
By Dave Okpogadie, Asaba
Delta state Commissioner for Information and Spokesperson, Atiku/Okowa Campaign Council, Mr Charles Aniagwu has debunked the claim by a section of the media alleging that Delta state government refused to approve a venue for the campaign of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi in Asaba.
Mr Aniagwu, who made the refutal while briefing journalists in Asaba, said contrary to the report by a section of the social media on the matter, the truth was that the Labour Party (LP) and its members in Delta state did not follow due process in making its application.
Mr Aniagwu noted that the LP made an oral application via a phone call by one Mr Kelly, adding that the state government quickly reached out to officials of Oshimili south local government and secured the venue for them and even waived the amount payable for the venue.
The Commissioner expressed disappointed at the attitude of the LP members for not appreciating the state government’s provision of the venue and waiving some of the conditions to secure the venue.
“Rather than expressing gratitude for government open door policy to grant them access to available space to carry out their campaign, Professor Pat Utomi had resorted to campaign of calumny and lying to the good people of Delta State,” the commissioner remarked.
Mr Aniagwu said, the Peoples Democratic Party has become indeginous to Delta State and it’s already entrenched and difficult to be removed, adding that government is unmoved by Prof Utomi’s lies.
The Commissioner said Utomi, a Professor of many years, should not resort to telling lies and blackmail to curry sympathy for his party.
“The Labour Party did not write to us as a government that it was going to have a rally in Delta. Somebody as highly placed as Prof. Pat Utomi went to town to allege that they have been prevented from campaigning in Delta.
“I challenge them to show any application letter sent to the Secretary to the State Government and let them also show the reply from the SSG.
“Somebody representing Prof. Utomi called me on Sunday morning ahead of their rally on Monday morning and I asked what were the issues?
“He said he would be glad if I could give them the Arcade for their campaign. And, I said, you are having a campaign on Monday and you are making phone call to demand for a venue on Sunday?”
“We only appeal to Professor Utomi and the likes of Utomi not to derail this dispensation by lies.
“So, the idea of Prof. Utomi lying to Nigerians is not what we need as a country at this point in time. Every political party should be free to campaign wherever they want to campaign, provided that they are not infringing on the rights of other persons.”
Mr Aniagwu explained that the Asaba township stadium had been under reconstruction since after the national sports festival and not available for use for now.
“We needed to come to the court of public opinion to make this clarification to speak to the people that they are trying to dceive,” the Commissioner explained.
It will be recalled that the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi took his presidential campaign to Asaba on Monday, January 10.
