THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, elders, leaders and ward chairmen in Ewu axis and Olomu in Ughelli South local government of Delta State, have denied claims by some aggrieved chairmanship aspirants from Ewu, Olomu and Ughievwen that the party leaders hand-picked candidate  for the chairmanship election, saying that primary election was the most harmonious and transparent in the history of  the council area.

The aggrieved aspirants had given the state deputy governor, Prof. Amos Utuama and the leadership of the party in Ughelli South an ultimatum to reverse the choice of Mr Paul Etaga as the chairmanship candidate of the party.

In a statement signed on behalf of the elders, leaders and executives of the party in the wards by Chiefs David Adasen, Abel Edijala, John Oguma, Milton Ohwovoriole  and six other ward chairmen, they maintained that the publication was replete with falsehood and actuated by improper motive with intention of disparaging a well conducted primary.

The leaders explained that a caucus meeting was convened by the deputy governor on August 6, 2014 where the modalities and guidelines for the conduct of the primary were discussed, and it was agreed that constituency 1,   Ughievwen should produce the House of Assembly while Constituency 11 , comprising Ewu axis and Olomu should produce the chairmanship candidate on a rotational basis and were mandated to harmonize their aspirants.

They explained further, it was agreed between Olomu and Ewu axis that Ewu should  produce the chairman, and when it was obvious that some  aspirants namely, Amos Itihwe, Josephine Oduaran, Andrew Adushoke, Vincent Otidi and Monday Emuvahkpor   were not comfortable with the arrangement, they were told to prepare for the primary, and the stage was set for the primary which took place on Saturday August 9, 2014.

The aspirants turned up and participated in the primary at the Otujeremi Council Unity Hall under the supervision of DSIEC and security agencies in the full glare of the press. Mr Paul Etaga was voted for as the PDP candidate, and there was no disagreement or protest at the venue.

Describing the allegation as unfortunate, they declared that “ we  are at loss why the aggrieved aspirants now came up with allegation that the leadership of the party hand-picked a candidate”