I won the 2019 House of Reps election, as 2023 is another contest-Hon. Mariere, insists Delta LG poll was the freest

By Daniel Njienue, News/Interview, March 22, 2021

A Former member, Delta State House of Assembly, who represented Ughelli North Constituency 1, under the People Democratic Party, (PDP), Hon (Barr). Samuel Oghenevwogaga Mariere, has said that the Local government election conducted earlier this month by the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) remains credible, insisting that the election was conducted free and fair, as he blames the opposition party, All Progressive Congress, (APC) for their flop while maintaining that the opposition had no solid ground to compete and win election in the state. He also commended the Commission for a work well done and advised APC to be realistic in their allegation of election malpractice. Wondering why they refused to accept defeat even when they opt not to continue with the election at the last minute.

Barr. Mariere

According to him, APC pulled out of the election because they know, they are going to lose woefully. “They didn’t allow the election to finish before they pulled out. Even during election period, they were not campaigning on issue base but they want to win election”

The former Lawmaker however stated that Deltans can testify how vigorously PDP campaigned in all nook and crannies of the state which APC did not and suddenly became complainants, then pulled out of the election. “On that day of election, they were the ones complaining of the lack of election materials, and at 12pm, they were already pulling out of the election. So, if by 12pm you are pulling out, while in some areas in Nigeria during past concluded general elections, by that time, election materials have not gotten to designated areas. Why are they crying like the bereaved? APC do not have any justification for their failed system. If they are truly aggrieved, the election tribunal is there” He stated.

Speaking on his political ambition, Mariere maintained that 2023 is still very much far but as for him as a politician with his past experience, he is not ready to retire yet. “I contested for the House of Assembly in 2011, I recontested again in 2015 and I won. In 2019 I contested for the House of Representatives, a different terrain entirely which I believe I won, but I was not declared the winner and by 2023 am re-contesting again for that position. It is a settled deal, because I don’t have any intention of running for the House of Assembly again”

Recalling his experience in the 2019 general election, where he contested against the current House of Representatives member, Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive of the APC, Mariere said that, he has learnt a lot of lessons, and he will capitalize on those lessons to improve on his camp to win in 2023.

“I have learnt my lessons on the little issue that came up from Orogun and Agbarho where the past general election was rigged and I am preparing by God’s grace. Although, 2023 is still very far, our prayers now is that God should keep us alive, healthy and give us the resources till then. And guide the leader of the People Democratic Party (PDP) to direct us well”

Meanwhile, the former lawmaker turned farmer challenged Hon. Waive to show his achievement since he became a member of the House of Representatives, adding that, the good people of Udu, Ughelli North/South federal constituency know that, what they are getting from the House of Representatives is not the kind of representation they bargain for; he (Mariere), would have given a more robust representation, hinting that he had warned the people not to vote for Hon.Waive again.

”I believe we will handle that when the time comes. I told them during my campaign in 2019 and today everything I said is already explaining itself.  When you have somebody who is not a politician, someone who doesn’t understand the nitty-gritty of politics is representing the people, definitely, nothing would work” he added.  He later urged his fans and supporters to keep hope alive that by 2023, he would contest again.

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