The Ijaw speaking people of Delta State have appealed to traditional rulers in Ika, Delta North Senatorial District of the state to speak to their subjects to support their (Ijaw) bid produce the next governor of the state.
They (Ijaw ) said they have been supportive over the years in emergency of governors in the state hence other ethics groups should support them in their desire to produce the next governor in 2023.
Advertisement
Former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo made the appeal while paying a consultative visit to Delta North Traditional Rulers Forum and the Ika Social Cultural Group, Onu Ika to seek for their support towards actualizing their drive to produce the next Governor of Delta State in 2023.
Alaowei Bozimo who was accompanied by notable Ijaw leaders in the state including Hon. K.O Preyor (Acting Majority Leader, Delta State House of Assembly)
Prof. V.F Peretomode (Former Vice Chancellor, Delta State University) Hon. William Angadi (Chairman, Bomadi LGA) among others, informed the Delta North Traditional Rulers that the Ijaw delegation decided to visit the traditional rulers first before consulting with other stakeholders because of their respect for the traditional institution.
Advertisement
Speaking further, Alaowei Bozimo said that contrary to the wrong impression in some quarters that the Ijaw are not promoting a tribal agenda, he stated that the Ijaw from the Delta South Senatorial District deserve to produce the next Governor of the state, the position having rotated across all the three senatorial districts of the state.
Ika Traditional Rulers Forum
While thanking Delta North Traditional Rulers Forum and Ika social cultural group, Onu Ika, for receiving the Ijaw delegation, the former Minister promised that a Delta State governor of Ijaw extraction would work with all stakeholders, treat everybody and all part of the state as equal stakeholders and provide the enabling environment for peace to reign in the state.
In their separate responses, HRM Emmanuel Oyinke Eferzomo II Obi of Owa kingdom and Mr. Daniel Usifoh who spoke on behalf of their people appreciated the Delta Ijaw delegation for coming to consult with Traditional Rulers and Leaders of Ika Nation.
Advertisement
His Majesty, Obi Eferzimor said he was excited that the Ijaw delegation recognised and accorded the traditional institution in Delta North their due respect in their bid to produce a Governor of Ijaw extraction in 2023.
The Monarch thanked the Ijaw nation for the support they gave to their son, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa during the 2014 PDP gubernatorial primaries which according to him contributed immensely to Okowa’s emergence and assured that they would consult with their subjects on what is best for them in the 2023 contest.
On his part, the head of the collective leadership of Ika social cultural group, “Onu Ika” the umbrella body of Ika nation, Mr. Daniel Usifoh expressed joy about the visit of the Ijaw delegation to the Ika nation.
He expressed his assurance to collaborate with any group that has a positive agenda for Delta State in 2023, pointing out that the Ijaw are reliable and trusted friends to the Ika nation.
Notable Ijaw leaders who were in the visit train are: Newworld Safugha, Esq, (Former Commissioner for Energy); Chief J.T Government (Chairman, Governing Council, Institute of Marine Technology, Burutu); Joel Bisina, PhD (Former Commissioner for Special Duties); David Ekerekosu,Esq, (Former Commissioner for Oil and Gas); Dr. Chris Ekiyor (Former President, IYC and Commissioner for Commerce) amongst others.
Deputy governor of Edo State Hon Dennis Idahosa, has urged the people to show their readiness to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 general elections by using the House of Representatives bye-election scheduled for August 16 as a template.
Idahosa hinged his call on the fact that Governor Monday Okpebholo had shown his readiness for governance within a year in office and deserved to be supported by the people.
Advertisement
The deputy governor stated this when the APC campaign team birthed at Uhiere, Okokhuo, and Isiuwa, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, the Ovia Federal Constituency bye-election is for the people to show “capacity” and nothing more.
“The Executive Governor of our dear state, and my Principal, Monday Okpebholo, by the grace of God, through your support, has promised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu 2.5 million votes.
“The efficacy of that promise starts on August 16 with the Ovia Federal Constituency bye-election.
“This is not a normal election, it is an election to show capacity. The results you give to Omosede unlocks the key to accessing the dividends of democracy.
Advertisement
“The margin of winning is important. This is why we are all here to convince you to ensure that we get at least 70 percent votes from the registered voters in this area,”he stated.
The deputy governor who led the APC team for the campaign said the party’s candidate, Hon Omosede Igbinedion, had the capacity to entrench the dividends of democracy to the area.
Advertisement
At Isiuwa, NIFOR Community, Idahosa praised the people for making the area an APC stronghold.
He said he was not there for the campaign but to introduce their daughter to them and asked them for their support to the party’s candidate for the bye-election.
Similarly, Idahosa also appealed to the people of Okokhuo community for support.
Omosede who was full of praises in visited wards, said “this is the first time, in a long while, since 2015, I am here with a broom, a symbol of development and advancement.
“You know, the umbrella is tattered and scattered, and you know the PDP has fallen. I am grateful to you all who took the time to be here.”
Advertisement
She told the people to hold her accountable for every campaign promise she made.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is reportedly considering offering former President Goodluck Jonathan an automatic ticket to contest the 2027 presidential election, if he returns to the party and plays a more active political role.
This was revealed by Daniel Woyengikuro, the PDP’s National Financial Secretary, during an exclusive interview in Abuja. Woyengikuro emphasized Jonathan’s continued influence within the party and the nation’s politics, describing him as the PDP’s national leader.
Advertisement
“Is he not the best candidate for us at this moment? He is not just a former president; he is the leader of the party now. Aside from [former President Olusegun] Obasanjo, the next person in line is him. Goodluck Jonathan is the national leader of this party,” Woyengikuro said.
He confirmed that the PDP has been consulting with Jonathan and his associates, aiming to bring him back into the party’s mainstream leadership as part of a larger strategy to reposition the party and address Nigeria’s growing political and economic challenges.
Advertisement
“Nigeria has reached a point where we need to salvage this country — for our generation and for those to come,” Woyengikuro added. “When we talk about the Southern Presidency, someone like Goodluck Jonathan stands out.”
When asked directly if the party would consider granting Jonathan an automatic ticket, Woyengikuro responded emphatically:
“For me, that’s what I firmly stand for. You can quote me anywhere — I want him to come. An automatic ticket for him, as it stands now. Because we must salvage both this party and the nation.”
He further asserted that Jonathan’s return would significantly reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
Woyengikuro also praised Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, calling him a “vibrant leader” and a strong candidate from the South capable of bridging Nigeria’s generational divide.
Advertisement
“These are the two main individuals I stand for: Goodluck Jonathan and Seyi Makinde,” he concluded.
The PDP is expected to intensify its internal consultations in the coming months as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The People’s Democratic Party, on Wednesday, announced that the inauguration of its National Convention Zoning Committee will take place on Thursday, August 14, 2025, as part of preparations for its 2025 Elective National Convention.
The party invites key stakeholders to a significant event aimed at shaping the party’s future leadership structure.
Advertisement
This is contained in a press release by PDP’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, on the party’s official X account.
The inauguration is scheduled to start at 12:00 pm WAT at the NEC Hall, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
Advertisement
The event will bring together PDP governors, members of the Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee, the National Executive Council, serving and former National Assembly members, as well as other key stakeholders.
“This is to formally inform and invite all our governors, BOT, NWC, NEC, serving and former NASS members, and all our stakeholders to the inauguration of the National Convention Zoning Committee (NCZC) of our great party,”the statement read.