Hon. Francis Waive, representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Francis Waive, has raised the alarm over the steady decline in voter strength in Delta Central Senatorial District, warning that the trend threatens the political relevance of the district.
Waive spoke on Sunday at the Delta Central APC Leaders and Stakeholders’ Meeting held at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Centre, Effurun, in Uvwie Local Government Area.
The lawmaker, who chairs the House Committee on Rules and Business, recalled that Delta Central accounted for nearly 60 percent of total votes in Delta State at the creation of the state in 1991. He noted, however, that the figure has fallen sharply to about 30 percent, despite the absence of war, natural disasters or pandemics that could explain such a decline.
Expressing concern over the statistics, Waive said some local governments that once recorded more than 50,000 votes now struggle to achieve significantly lower numbers.
“Something is wrong,” he warned. “If we, the current political leaders, fail to act, our population will continue to shrink. Another census is approaching, but the more urgent issue is the ongoing voter registration exercise.”
The federal lawmaker urged leaders across Delta Central to take responsibility for reversing the downward trend by intensifying mobilisation of eligible voters to participate in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) registration exercise.
He stressed that all young adults aged 18 and above must be encouraged to register, adding that indigenes living outside the state should return home to ensure their registration is done within the district.
Waive cautioned that inaction could leave future generations branding present-day leaders in Urhobo land as “political eunuchs,” a stigma he said must be avoided.
According to him, political strength is inseparable from voter numbers, noting that even electoral malpractice has limits. “You can only manipulate figures within the number of registered voters you have. If a polling unit has 100 registered voters, then 100 is the maximum possible,” he stated.
He called on party leaders to take the mobilisation campaign to every ward, polling unit and community, adding that the scale of victory recorded by APC candidates in Delta Central in future elections would determine the district’s influence both in Asaba and Abuja.
While expressing confidence in the party’s prospects, Waive warned that without strong voter turnout from Delta Central, the district risks losing its prime position in both state and national politics.
