By FESTUS AHON, Ughelli

CHIEF Ovie Omo-Agege, gubernatorial candidate of the Republican Party of Nigeria, RPN, in the just concluded re-run election in Delta State, yesterday, conceded defeat and congratulated Chief Great Ogboru of the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, for the strong and remarkable show he made in the election within the short time he returned to the political turf.

He however decried that “the security situation did not discourage armed gangs from snatching election materials in the presence of police and helpless youth corp members, who were either too frightened or compromised to complain. Unused ballot papers were brazenly sold or misallocated to PDP agents with connivance of the police and security operatives.”

Omo-Agege in a statement said: “I like to commend all voters and the good people of Delta State who came in large numbers to vote to demonstrate their hunger for a free and fair election and to elect a governor of their choice.

“Victory did not come our way, but my party, the Republican Party of Nigeria and I wish to thank my numerous supporters who encouraged us with their presence during our campaigns throughout the state.

“In magnanimity I concede defeat, I wonder as I know you wonder whether the results reflect the quantum of support which you gave to us. Does the result of this election reflect the choices you made at the polls? A number of things went wrong.

“This election has shown that Prof. Attahiru Jega, that good tree attested to by everybody as reliable certainly did not make the desired electoral forest to meet the desire of Deltans who craved for a change and a chance to change their oppressive Government.

“We congratulate Chief Great Ogboru of the Democratic People Party (DPP) for the strong and remarkable show he made at the recent concluded election within the short time he returned to the political turf.”