Politics

2023: Oborevowri, Omo-Agege Continue Brickbat As Delta PDP Settles Differences

Published

1 year ago

December 10, 2022

Editor

With the fillers coming in that Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; his predecessor, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Delta PDP godfather – Chief James Ibori – have noticeably outmaneuvered the crisis rocking the party over governorship candidate in the state, it has probably dawned on Omo-Agege, governorship candidate of the APC and the state party chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, and other APC tacticians that the game plan of knocking Okowa’s head against Ibori and Uduaghan would not fly anymore. They have, however, reportedly developed another strategy, as the election is close.

During his visit to the Dein of Agbor Kingdom in Ika South local government area, Delta North senatorial district, HRM Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I, the governorship candidate told the first-class monarch that a lot has gone wrong in the state and he was leading a revolution to bring in a new Delta state.

He promised to upgrade the University of Delta established by Okowa to its proper status other than the glorified College of Education Governor Okowa has reduced it to.

Sobotie, at the Ika South APC campaign rallies, said the wickedness brought on the people of Ika by Governor Okowa, in the past seven and a half years, would end when they elect Omo-Agege as governor.

Ika South APC chair, Hon Hillary Igbude, had lamented that Governor Okowa left only the faculty of education at the University of Delta, Agbor, and took all other faculties to the campus in his hometown, Owa-Alero.

“Eight years of Okowa is eight years of suffering for Ika people. Okowa and PDP have treated us as a conquered people and we will pay him back in his own coin,” he said.

However, Oborevwori, speaking during the party’s ward–to–ward campaign at Ughelli South local government area, remarked, “APC has brought untold hardship to us in the last seven and a half years. Things have really gone bad since APC took over power from the PDP. Only PDP can repair what APC has destroyed. PDP will take you, people, out of the streets and you know the APC created this unemployment everywhere, and we must chase them away, next year, with our votes.”

“Our youths, women, and leaders are going to be happy as I am going to continue from where our hard-working governor is going to stop, next year. Our governor, Senator Okowa, who is the vice-presidential candidate of PDP, has done very well in the state,” the M.O.R.E. exponent crooned.

Am not the most qualified but —Oborevwori

If anybody comprehends the generosity of spirit that Uduaghan has displayed, in recent times, it is Oborevwori, who, understandably, feels rapturous in the manner invisible forces seem to smooth his path to Government House, Asaba.

His words: “Your Excellency, your name has been trending in the media because of your recent decision. The move that particularly struck my heart was when you went to your local government area (Warri North) ward-to-ward to campaign for us. This is very dear to me. I am happy that you are campaigning for your brother, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.”

“I am not the most qualified but I believe it is the will of God. My life story is like that of David in the Bible. I appreciate you for believing in our 5/5 campaign and reaching out to people to ensure that the party puts up a united front ahead of the elections.

”I am a man with excessive local content, one reason you appointed me Special Adviser in your administration. I have said this severally, but let me say it before you sir – raising the hand of someone, who contested against your daughter is very moving to me.

“You have shown us we should not sacrifice the general interest of the party for personal interest. History will remember you for a very long time.

”My M.O.R. E Agenda is my social contract with Deltans. Amongst all the candidates, I am the one that is in tune with ordinary people. I do not believe in talking too much but I will do what will directly influence the life of the people.

“I am a Warri man to the core, I live amongst the ordinary people, and so I know their pains very well. I want to be a servant-leader. It thrilled us to have you with us, sir. I will certainly reciprocate your visit with PDP leaders from the three senatorial districts and consult you whenever the need arises,” he said.

Politics

Edo Poll: PDP Gubernatorial Aspirant Resigns From Party

Published

1 day ago

May 7, 2024

Editor

Felix Akhabue, a former gubernatorial aspirant for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21, Edo State election, has resigned from the party.

Akhabue was among the 10 aspirant who contested the party’s primary election in February and protested against the conduct of its ward and local government congresses.

Akhabue, a former, chairman of Esan West Local Government Area as well as Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Cooperative and Industry in Governor Godwin Obaseki’s first tenure, dumped the party in a letter dated May 6, 2024, and addressed to the Ward 7 chairman of the party in Esan West local Government Area.

Politics

Edo Poll: Akoko-Edo PDP Leaders Meet Deputy Gov, Pledge Massive Votes For Ighodalo

Published

1 day ago

May 7, 2024

Editor

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State Tuesday assured the Deputy Governor of the state, Marvellous Omobayo, of their preparedness to deliver block votes to the party’s governorship candidate, Barrister Asue Ighodalo in the forthcoming September 21st governorship election.

The leaders who came from ward (4), (3) and ward (5) was led by Comrade Princeswill Ogunnubi (ward 4), said Akoko-Edo, since the appointment of their kinsman as deputy governor, Akoko-Edo is a no go area for the opposition All Progressives Congress in the state, just as he predicted victory for the PDP.

Ogunnubi, who spoke during a courtesy call on the deputy governor at his office on a solidarity visit, noted that the visit was imperative to assure the number two citizen of the state of their readiness towards the continuity of the PDP in the state beyond 2024.

He said. “We are not just here today in solidarity with you on your appointment but to also assure you of our unalloyed support to deliver on the political trust and confidence reposed in you by the governor on your appointment.

“You can see that since your assumption as the deputy governor the youth of the state that forms majority of the voting population are excited and solidly behind you to see that you succeed and as a people are eternally grateful to Governor Godwin Obaseki.

“It is on record that we have never had it this good apart from the statutory elective political offices. The time has come for us to compensate the governor by delivering Barrister Asue Ighodalo as the next governor of the Edo State.”

Also on the visit, Mr Ernest Akpaja, another leader, stressed on the need for all party members to close rank and join forces in the task ahead.

“This appointment is a testament to the Governor’s commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. We believe Deputy Governor Godwin will make significant contributions to advancing the governor’s development agenda,” Akpaja said.

Omobayo who was elated at the visit, appealed to the leaders to sustain the unity of purpose in ensuring that Akoko-Edo is solidly “PDP and PDP is Akoko-Edo.”

While thanking the leaders remarked, “Without mincing words, I can assure you that Akoko-Edo will get more positions under the PDP if voted back into power. More better days ahead for our people.”

Politics

PDP Crisis: Why Party Members Are Resigning – Sule Lamido

Published

3 days ago

May 5, 2024

Editor

Former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has explained why some notable members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP are resigning the membership from the party.

Lamido blamed the current crisis in the party on the procedures of the court.

He said if the supreme court did not overturn the election of Hon. Emeka Ihedioha as Imo Governor, he would have remained a sitting governor of the state.

He added that the PDP mass resignation was as a result of frustration occasioned by the leadership of the party and the judiciary.

Lamido stated this in an interview with This Day.

Recall that there has been an ongoing resignation by members of PDP especially in Imo and few other small states.

The former governor said if the court did not insist that Senator Samuel Anyanwu was the National Secretary, when he (Anyanwu) went and contested for the Imo State governorship election, the position of National Secretary would have gone to another person from Imo State.

Lamido said, “Emeka Ihedioha and other chieftains of the PDP that resigned from the party were humiliated and frustrated out. They were humiliated by the leadership of the party, with the help of the judiciary.

“Ministers resigned to contest election. Other government officials and even party officials resigned to contest elective offices. Senator Anyanwu ought to have resigned to contest the governorship election in Imo state.

“What did he (Anyanwu) do. He held to the office of national secretary and contested for the governorship election. You cannot eat your cake and still have it back. You cannot appropriate the two positions. You are the national secretary and the governorship candidate at the same time. This is not done.

“So, when the stakeholders from Imo state complained, the judiciary aided him and affirmed his position as National Secretary when he lost his governorship election.

“So, Ihedioha and his group felt frustrated and humiliated by the action of the leadership of the party by failing to stand up for justice. So, as a person, I don’t blame Ihedioha and his associates. I can understand why he and his associates left. Some external influences are tele-guiding the party.”

On the defection of the former Governor of Katsina the APC, Lamido said the State was formally under the control of the All Peoples Party (APP), adding that it was the influence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo that made the PDP to win the state in 2003.

He, however, said with the influence of former President Muhammadu Buhari and all his political associates it went back to the APC.

He stated, “I see it as he wants to meet them. I don’t believe that he went to APC because of the EFCC. Though, I remember what the former national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole said that when you defect to the APC, all your sins are forgotten.”

Speaking further on the situation in PDP Imo State, he said, “The leadership of the party was extremely unfair to Ihedioha who first asked if Anyanwu will contest for governor and when Anyanwu said yes, Ihedioha left it for him and yet, Anyanwu still did not leave the post of National secretary. It is not fair.”

On the role of the judiciary in the plights of the PDP, he cited the case of the Supreme Court on Ihedioha’s case, arguing that, “if not the ignoble role of the Supreme Court, Ihedioha will still be governor and the same courts was used to support Anyanwu retaining the office of the National Secretary and the Governorship candidate.

“When the history of the PDP is to be told, the role of the courts must occupy a special place. This is especially with the southeast geopolitical zone.”

When asked if he was likely going to join the APC, he said, “No, they will not accept me. Go and ask President Bola Tinubu, if he and his APC will accept me.”

Meanwhile, those that have left the party in the State include former Military Administrator, Air Commodore Luke Ochulor; Former Deputy Governor, Engr. Gerald Irona; Former Ministers of the Federal Republic, Engr. Charles Ugwuh, Chief Chuka Odom and BOT member of the party – Chief Chris Okewulonu.

Former NEC member of the party- Chief Henry Ekpe; Former elected members of House of Representatives – Hon. ThankGod Ezeani, Hon. Mayor Eze, Hon. Uche Onyeaguocha, Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo, Hon. Obinna Onwubuariri and Hon. Jonas Okeke.

Others that have dumped the PDP included Chairman PDP elders’ committee – Prof. Jude Njoku; Secretary PDP elders’ Committee – Prof. Obioma Iheduru; Members of the South-east Zonal Executive Committee, Chief Stanley Ekezie; Chief Augustine Elochukwu; Two senatorial candidates of the party in the last election- including Chief Emmanuel Okewulonu, former local government chairmen, several House of Assembly candidates of the party.
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