Politics

2023 Election: Disquiet In Delta As Okowa’s Aides Resign

Published

3 years ago

January 9, 2023

Editor

The resignation of Michael Akpobire, an aide to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, has restarted the discussions about political developments in Delta State ahead of the 2023 election.

The debate is fuelled by the fact that Okowa is the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Atiku Abubakar is the flagbearer.

Akpobire’s letter dated January 5, 2022, was addressed to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

He was the Executive Assistant to Okowa on Technical Education and Chairman of the Technical Education Board.

Akpobire, a PDP chieftain in Enwhe/Okpolo Ward 9 in Isoko South Local Government Area, was formerly President of Delta State University (DELSU) Students’ Union.

In reaction, a Facebook user, Festus Tony urged “all sons and daughters” from Isoko, Urhobo, Kwale, Ijaw, Iteskiri to withdraw from the cabinet.

“That ship will collapse before the end of this month (January). If Comrade Michael Akpobire, we call the first son of Governor Okowa, can be treated badly, who else won’t suffer the same humiliation?

“Micheal suffered for this administration even when we all thought Okowa won’t scale through. They gave him an office that even a million naira allocation don’t come to.

“The wickedness Okowa showed to other ethnic groups in the State is such that none of them left their respective office or position with something tangible.

“It is payback time for Okowa. More resignations are coming. You can’t be more Governor Okowa or PDP than Michael Akpobire. He is one individual who publicly declared first for Okowa’s governorship.

“As an appointee in Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan’s administration, he took the risk to openly declare for Okowa and formed the Canaanland Movement that gathered more than 50,000 votes for the ungrateful Governor.

“Because there is no reward system in PDP, Micheal was turned into an errand boy in Okowa’s administration. People who did not stake their life and political career got juicy positions, built houses and are living large.

“Today, he is leaving the PDP in pains. Comrades should have a deep thought because many in Okowa’s camp are dying in silence. Stand up and liberate yourself from mental slavery.”

Akpobire’s exit from the State government is the latest in a gale of resignations by Okowa’s appointees.

In December, Alaowei Promise Lawuru, popularly known as ‘Master Black’, resigned from his position as Special Assistant on Security.

The former Niger Delta militant hails from Ogbinbiri community in the Warri North Local Government Area of the State.

In October, Okowa’s Senior Special Assistant on Youth Development Patrick Oghenerhoro, a.k.a. Paleke dumped the governor.

He also left the PDP and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) to work for the governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

Also in October, Onochie Osheokwu resigned as Senior Special Assistant on Youth Development.

Osheokwu said he was leaving to be fully ‘Obidient’ and support the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi.

But in an interview with DAILY POST on Sunday, Okowa’s Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika said his principal was not disturbed by the resignations.

“The governor is a good man and cannot stop anybody who wants to leave for other things.

“There are people seeking greener pastures, going to further their education, career or engage in other ventures.

“That two people resigned doesn’t mean there’s a problem. It’s normal, the governor is not worried about it”, the spokesperson added.

Last week, Omo-Agege, the Deputy Senate President, said Delta has received N4.2trillion under the Okowa administration.

The lawmaker also accused the governor of betraying the agitation for Southern presidency despite being one of the arrowheads ab initio. Okowa has denied doing so.

Politics

JUST IN: Former APC National Youth Leader Dumps Party

Published

25 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Sadiq Abubakar, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leader has announced his decision to dump the ruling party.

Abubakar who disclosed this in an interview with Newsmen in Bauchi on Wednesday, explained that his decision was unconnected with the hardship faced by many Nigerian homes due to difficult policies and programmes by the APC.

According to him, the move was also driven by an objective of securing free and fair victory in future election primaries so as to continue to serve the people with strength and integrity.

He stated that his decision followed a series of consultations with family, friends, political associates and stakeholders saying this was after a careful reflection on recent developments within the party structure and internal arrangements.

“It is high time to adopt a party with a more clear vision and the compassion to help the common man.

“The APC processes are not working, the party is not just and fair. I’m leaving the party because there is no fairness in the electoral processes of the party as well as the consensus.

“And I know that they are not going to be fair in the forthcoming primaries but they will only use the power of incumbency.

“Also, what the party is doing to every family is becoming something else as it’s becoming too hard to put a three square meal on the table,” he said.

The Former APC National Youth Leader however, affirmed that he would soon reveal the new political party of his destination in no distant time.

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

7 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”