Tragedy Strikes as Councillorship Hopeful’s Demise Shakes Delta State Ahead of Local Polls

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the political landscape of Delta State is gripped with sorrow as the untimely demise of a promising Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) councillorship candidate, Hon Jumi Odaji, casts a somber shadow over the upcoming local government council elections. The 22-year-old candidate, vying for a second term to represent Bowen Ward 20 in the vibrant locales of Agbassa and Alders Town within the Warri South Local Government Area, passed away in the stillness of Thursday night, leaving behind a void that words struggle to fill. The cause of his sudden departure remains shrouded in mystery, adding an air of intrigue to an already poignant narrative.

As the state grapples with the harsh reality of Odaji’s unexpected passing, the political arena witnesses yet another twist as a group of distinguished Deltans launches a legal battle at the Federal High Court in Asaba. In a bold move that reverberates through the corridors of power, Denbo-Denbofa Oweikpodor, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, Arc Sylvester Adowei, Emmanuel Igetei, and Midwest Kukuru Esq. stand united in their plea for judicial intervention to halt the gears of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) from spinning forward with the scheduled local government election on July 13.

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The crux of their argument lies in a fervent belief that certain council areas must not be subjected to the ballot box’s judgment on the allocated date. With an impassioned voice that echoes the sentiments of many, the plaintiffs champion the cause of the Ijaw community residing in the Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas. Their lawsuit, beautifully encapsulated in the legal embrace of suit no: FHC/ASB/CS/87/2024, seeks a declarative stance on the matter. They assert with unwavering conviction that the DSIEC’s authority to orchestrate the local council elections in these three critical zones of Delta State hinges on a pivotal condition—a condition drawn directly from the tapestry of justice etched by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

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Wrapped in the fabric of Appeal No. S/413/2016: HON. GEORGE U. TIMINIMI & 9 ORS v. INEC, a judgment delivered with the weight of legal precedent on December 2, 2022, stands as the bedrock of their argument. The plaintiffs, spurred by a desire for fairness and adherence to the sanctity of legal order, call upon the judiciary to honor and uphold the essence of democracy by mandating a fresh establishment of polling units in alignment with the revered decree of the Supreme Court.

As the people of Delta State navigate through these turbulent waters of loss and legal intricacies, the legacy of Hon Jumi Odaji stands as a beacon of remembrance—a poignant reminder of the fragility and resilience of human ambition. The echoes of his aspirations reverberate through the hearts and minds of all who knew him, weaving a narrative of hope amidst the shadows of uncertainty.

In the quiet stillness of the night, as the stars watch over the land of Delta, a tale unfolds—a tale of tragedy, defiance, and the enduring spirit of a community united in its quest for justice and remembrance.