Andaye Urges Delta PDP to Verify Claims Before Accusing Public Officers ~ Truth Reporters

By Andy Emephia

The Executive Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Council, Hon. Dagidi Rawlings Andaye, has called on the Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to exercise caution and verify facts before making allegations against public officials.

Andaye made the call while reacting to claims by the PDP that he was involved in the destruction of billboards belonging to the party's candidates in Bomadi Local Government Area.

In a statement issued by his New Media Office on Wednesday, the council chairman described the allegations as false, misleading and defamatory. 

He also dismissed suggestions that Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, directed him to remove opposition campaign materials, describing such claims as both "libelous and laughable."

The statement was issued in response to a press release by the Delta PDP Publicity Secretary, Chief Kingsley Akpos Oturubo, titled "Destruction of PDP Billboards is an Invitation to Anarchy: Dagidi Should Be Called to Order."

According to Andaye, the PDP's allegations ignored an existing directive by the Delta State Government mandating the strict enforcement of outdoor advertising regulations across the state through the Delta State Signage and Advertisement Agency (DESSAA).

He cited a government announcement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Eze Emu, which directed DESSAA to fully implement laws regulating outdoor advertising practices in Delta State.

The directive, he noted, introduced measures such as the "Operation Tag Your Boards" initiative, requiring billboard owners to properly identify their structures, submit relevant approvals and provide evidence of compliance with regulatory requirements.

Andaye stressed that neither he nor the Bomadi Local Government Council has any role in the enforcement of outdoor advertising laws, which falls exclusively under the mandate of DESSAA.

"The Executive Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Council, his management and staff are not the Delta State Signage and Advertisement Agency directed by the governor to enforce outdoor advertising regulations," the statement said.

He maintained that the allegations linking him to the removal of PDP billboards were unfounded and designed to tarnish his reputation.

The council chairman further faulted claims that he had boasted of receiving instructions from Governor Oborevwori to pull down billboards belonging to opposition parties, insisting that no such statement was ever made.

According to him, attributing such actions to the governor was an insult to the office of the state's chief executive, whom he described as a committed democrat focused on governance rather than partisan disputes.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the Executive Chairman of Bomadi Local Government Council clearly dissociates himself and his team from any act of pulling down posters or billboards belonging to any candidate or political party," the statement added.

Andaye also condemned descriptions of him as a "thug" and "street urchin" contained in the PDP statement, describing the remarks as reckless, offensive and defamatory.

He urged the opposition party to conduct proper investigations before making public accusations against public office holders, warning that unfounded allegations only serve to mislead the public and undermine responsible political discourse.

The Bomadi council boss reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the law and maintaining peace and order within the local government area.