By MIEBI JOHN
Reports emerging from the PDP primaries indicate attempts by some leaders to administer fetish oaths on delegates.
Several cases have been reported in Delta North and it is feared that it might be widespread across the state but many of the delegates are said to be resisting, insisting that it is against their religious faith and right to free political expression.
A delegate from Oshimili South narrated his experience on Saturday evening ahead of the House of Assembly and House of Representatives primaries which held on Sunday.
“A senior political appointee invited delegates to his house yesterday evening. He talked them into taking of oath but Victor Okocha who is a delegate shut him down and spoke on behalf of others.
“He insisted that nobody will swear any oath. Many of the party leaders in Delta North also requested them to surrender their phones but most of the delegates also resisted that move. It was when Victor Okocha threatened to hold a press conference and expose them that he soft pedaled.
“The delegates have now been taken to different hotels where they
will be camped and might be further subjected to various forms of intimidation.
“Our worry is that these people might have their way in other local government areas in Delta North to be administering fetish oath on delegates. This is a very ungodly and dangerous trend.
“This appears to be Okowa’s main strategy to deliver his preferred candidates in the primaries. We are only praying and hoping that delegates across the state can muster the courage to resist the administration of oath on them. It is very bad and very primitive. We cannot be made to bow before gods that we don’t know just because of politics.”
