TheCable

Festus Keyamo, a popular legal practitioner, has accused Emmanuel Uduaghan, governor of Delta state, of undue interference in Saturday’s local government election that held in the state.

Keyamo alleged that the governor ordered the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) to replace Weyinmi Omadeli, who emerged as the PDP chairmanship candidate in Warri south-west local government, with George Ekpemupolo, a relative of Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), an erstwhile militant.

Keyamo said Omadeli had no opportunity to protest what he described as illegal, explaining that the incident occurred two days to the election.

“On the 9th of August, 2014, Weyinmi Omadeli emerged as the PDP Chairmanship candidate for that Warri South LGA after the conduct of the primaries,” Keyamo wrote in an open letter.

“He was subsequently presented with the PDP party flag and his name forwarded to Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) for the elections slated for October 25th, 2014. For the records, Weyinmi Omadeli is an Itsekiri by tribe.

“However, in a strange twist of fate, you summoned Mr. Omadeli to your private residence in Warri on Thursday, October 23, 2014 (barely 48 hours to the election) and informed him that you had given orders to DSIEC to replace his name with that of Mr. George Ekpemupolo, who is the younger brother of Mr. Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo).

“Mr. Omadeli’s name was subsequently withdrawn and replaced with that of George Ekpemupolo. Mr. Omadeli had no time and opportunity to protest this strange substitution before the elections eventually held on Saturday, October 25, 2014 and Mr. George Ekpemupolo was returned as winner of the Chairmanship position for Warri South-West L.G.A. Along with others, he was sworn into office on Monday, October 27, 2014.”

Keyamo further maintained that out of regard for Uduaghan, he turned a blind eye to some undemocratic practices of the governor but will not allow the particular matter go the way of others.

He implored Uduaghan to set up a petition tribunal to enable justice take its place.

“On this issue concerning Warri South-West L.G.A, I have no choice but to cry out, because your decision is capable of igniting a crisis that will affect all of us. The decision was taken whimsically and it is unjust, unfair, illegal and ungodly,” he wrote.

“Consequently, it is unacceptable and will be challenged legally and politically.

“In the circumstance, we implore you to be quick in ensuring the setting up of a truly independent local government election tribunal so that parties can quickly proceed there to vent their grievances instead of resorting to other means.”