The candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the Burutu Constituency I seat in the Delta State House of Assembly, Amb. Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo, has urged his opposition, Asupa Forteta to withdraw from the February 3 rerun poll.
Alapala said this while reacting to rumours that Asupa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was considering withdrawing from the race.
The APC candidate had honoured an invitation from Enekorogha community to the final of a Peace Cup organized in his honour, on Monday.
Quizzed on his take on the rumour by newsmen, Alapala advised Asupa, who he referred to as a ‘big brother’, that a withdrawal will save him from an avoidable defeat.
“If the rumours are true, then it is good step. And even if it was just a rumour, I’ll advise my big brother to withdraw from the rerun election and avoid a shameful defeat,” Alapala said.
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Pressed on his convictions for the rerun, Alapala said;
“It is crystal clear that the blind can see it. The people are ready to reaffirm their love and support for me. They have given me their mandate long before the court judgment, and come February 3, that mandate will be handed over to me once again.
“I am not perturbed. The people are with me and they have shown this over and over again. Not forgetting that I have a lead that is almost insurmountable.
“My only prayer is for INEC to uphold its objectives and conduct a free and fair election,” he added.
Recall that the Appeal Court in Lagos voided election results from four units in the Constituency, citing over voting.
The affected units are; Oboro Unit 9, Edegbene Unit 27, Enekorogha Unit 26 and Ayakoromor Unit 8.
While there are about 2,200 registered voters in the affected units, only 546 votes were recorded in the March 18 election.
Meanwhile, Alapala leads the contest with 880 votes ahead of the rerun.
