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Gov Ticket Tears Delta PDP Apart, Ibori, Okowa Part Ways

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There are fears among the Peoples Democratic Party members in Delta State that the name of the party’s governorship candidate may not be on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s list come 2023 general elections following the cold war between two leaders of the party in the state, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and one of his predecessors, James Ibori.

The battle deepened on Friday, July 22, 2022, when INEC published the particulars of the candidates nominated by political parties for the 2023 governorship and state Assembly elections in all the constituencies nationwide.

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Surprisingly, the details of Sheriff Oborevwori, who won the party governorship primary and had his name submitted to the INEC, were not among those published by the electoral umpire as eligible to contest the governorship election in 2023.

The PUNCH reports that PDP members are worried that the party may not participate in the 2023 governorship election in the state.

The state’s INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Monday Udoh-Tom, confirmed that the PDP in Delta had yet to have a candidate for next year’s governorship election, adding that there were no details of any candidate for the party.

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He stated, “We have no particulars of any candidate for the PDP as far as the governorship election is concerned because they (PDP members) are in court. When the matter is determined, we will have the particulars of one of them.

“You will recall that there was a court judgment that disqualified one of them, and he filed for a stay of execution and also appealed the judgment.

READ ALSO: Delta Gov Poll: INEC Receives Court Order Declaring Edevbie As PDP Candidate

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“As a result, we cannot act on the case of the PDP for now until the Appeal Court delivers judgment,” Udoh-Tom said.

The current Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Oborevwori, won the PDP governorship primary on May 25 but his closest rival and former Chief of Staff to Okowa, David Edevbie, approached an Abuja High Court seeking Oborevwori’s disqualification on grounds of discrepancies in the certificates he presented.

The High Court subsequently granted Edevbie’s prayers by disqualifying Oborevwori and declaring the plaintiff as the party’s candidate.

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Although Oborevwori filed an appeal against the judgment, Edevbie’s supporters have been jubilant, claiming that INEC recognised their principal as a candidate by issuing him form E13B.

Edevbie was the commissioner for Finance in Okowa’s first tenure, Chief of Staff in his second tenure, and now Ibori’s anointed candidate.

Although he was in the United Kingdom serving a prison term, Ibori could be said to be instrumental in the election of Okowa as the state governor in 2015.

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The PDP in Delta State last Saturday held its mega rally in Ozoro in the Isoko North Local Government Area of the state to unveil its governorship candidate and receive defectors from the opposition political parties but got disappointed on Friday as its candidate’s name was missing from the list.

But prominent party leaders boycotted the rally even as there was no official unveiling of the Delta PDP governorship candidate as expected.

Among those absent from the rally were Ibori; a former Governor of the state, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan; Senator James Manager, representing Delta South; and the state Deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro.

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Dignitaries at the mega rally included the Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu; Oborevwori; and House of Assembly aspirants; party leaders; and political appointees across the three senatorial districts.

Addressing the party members, the vice presidential candidate of the party, Okowa, said the victory of the PDP in the just concluded Osun State governorship election was to make a statement to rescue Nigeria.

Okowa, who received the defectors from the All Progressives Congress and All Progressive Grand Alliance, boasted that a similar victory would happen in the state where the party would win the governorship, national and state assembly seats, and others.

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Okowa, who was miffed by recent remarks that the party in the state was dying, said, “I heard some people saying the PDP is dying in Delta State. Why are they deceiving themselves?” People will come out to vote for the PDP in all the local government areas in the state.

Whatever is going on in the party today is a normal democratic process; so, there is nothing to worry about, no cause for alarm, and no cause to fear.”

“We are not boasting but on the day of the election, our people will come out and vote, and in the next election, we are going to win all available seats-from the Assembly to the Presidency.

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READ ALSO: PDP Drowning, Dying Gradually In Delta, Says Senator

“In 2019, they (the opposition) got two local government areas, but in 2023 we will win the entire 25 local government areas.

“It is about Nigeria, youths, women. We cannot continue to suffer. Enough is enough. Those who have just joined us are members of the party, with no discrimination. “In September, the campaign will start. You will hear us loud and clear,” Okowa assured.

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“2023 is about youths and women of Nigeria and we cannot continue to suffer and stay hungry. We must definitely move forward, “he stated.

The state Chairman of the party, Mr Kingsley Esiso, urged party faithful to remain calm, adding that INEC had asked stakeholders to be calm until court processes were exhausted.

He stated, “As the state chairman of this great party, it is my responsibility to educate our people on the developments in the party.

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“Some weeks ago, our party conducted one of the freest and fairest governorship primaries in Delta State, and a candidate emerged, and our party has dutifully submitted the name of that candidate.

“It is our responsibility to stand and defend the outcome of that primary. The issue before the court has nothing to do with the integrity and credibility of that primary.

“By the action of INEC on Friday, we have been told in the PDP to wait patiently for the outcome of the court judgment,” he stated.

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Meanwhile, the Director of Operations of the David Edevbie Campaign Organisation, Mr. Julius Akpovoka, blamed the party for taking sides in the suit challenging the eligibility of Oborevwori.

Akpovoka, who said this during a chat with journalists in Asaba last week, said Edevbie was very happy when he came out second at the primary.

He said, “It is a case of a second to be the first. We are happy that Edevbie came out second after the primary because we know that Edevbie’s name must be on the ballot list. I am the principal agent for Edevbie. The primary was transparent. We know that the second position is close to the first position based on the facts of the case.

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“All of us are members of the PDP, so Edevbie is now the candidate of the party. This is what everyone should embrace. In no time, our principal will embark on reconciliation to bring everybody together.

“ Oborevwori’s case is not new. It is also clear that there are discrepancies in his certificates. We are not shocked by the judgment of the high court.”

“I don’t see the Supreme Court dismissing the judgment of the High Court because the matter was very clear. It is a case of age and discrepancies in certificates. The party should do its best if it wants to win the election. In football, you cannot leave your best player on the bench and play second best. You will lose the game. That’s what we are facing.”

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With the raging war, there are speculations that Okowa may be considering adopting a plan B in the event of Oborevwori’s failure at the Appeal Court.

The speculations are coming against the backdrop of rumours that Okowa’s immediate past Chief of Staff, Mr. Festus Agas, had reportedly picked up the governorship form to contest under the Accord party.

READ ALSO: Sacked Delta PDP Gov’ship Candidate Approaches Appeal Court

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A social analyst and human rights activist, Mr. Victor Ojei, in an interview with The PUNCH, said with the look of things, the PDP may not have a candidate in the 2023 general election.

He said, “The reason why the PDP candidate was not on the list was possibly INEC received letter from Edevbie notifying them about the court judgement.As I speak to you now, the judges are on vacation, which most likely to end in the second week of September.”

Another political analyst, Mr. Peter Ejiro, described the development in the PDP as supremacy battle between the two leaders of the party in the state.

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My brother, what you see now playing out in the PDP is a battle of supremacy. Don’t forget that recently a Commissioner in the state said that Ibori is not Okowa’s godfather.”

PUNCH

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Akwa Ibom Commissioner Resigns After Gov’s Defection To APC

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Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Ini Ememobong, has formally resigned following Governor Umo Eno’s defection to the All Progressives Congress

In a Facebook post on Friday, Ememobong explained that his resignation was in accordance with the Governor’s directive that any political appointee unwilling to join the APC should step aside.

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“Today, I have tendered my resignation to the Governor in compliance with his directive that his appointees who are unwilling to join him on the political journey to the APC should resign,” he stated.

Ememobong, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, emphasised that his decision was guided by his principles and long-standing opposition to the APC.

READ ALSO: Akwa Ibom Police Arrest Man For Allegedly Macheting Wife To Death

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While I cannot question or fault the Governor’s personal decision, I am unable to join in that sojourn. My decision is borne out of my belief in politics with principles and my long-standing opposition to that political platform, which is daily validated by numerous Nigerians across many sectors,” he said.

He made it clear that his resignation does not reflect any personal disagreement with Eno.

This decision does not affect my personal relationship with the Governor, who calls me his brother and reposed great confidence in me by saddling me with two very important ministries (Information and Special Duties & Ibom Deep Sea Port),” he wrote.

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I have and will continue to have tremendous respect for HE Governor Umo Eno, even out of EXCO.”

READ ALSO: EFCC Arrests Ex-Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel, For Alleged N700bn Fraud

In his statement, Ememobong expressed gratitude to both the governor and his predecessor, Mr Udom Emmanuel.

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“Let me convey the very sincere appreciation of my family to His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, for appointing me into his cabinet. Our very special appreciation goes to Mr Udom Emmanuel, the immediate past Governor of Akwa Ibom State, for his enduring love and belief in me, especially for appointing me into the Executive Council during his administration,” he said.

Reflecting on his career in public service, Ememobong said he is proud of his contributions as he appealed for understanding.

Ememobong added, “Given another opportunity, I will do more.”

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“I understand this decision may not please everyone, and to those who are disappointed, I humbly seek your understanding,” the commissioner concluded.

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VIDEO: Moment Tinubu Observed Akwa Ibom Gov’s Defection To APC

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Friday, observed the official defection of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, via a televised broadcast.

A video shared by the official APC account on X.com (formerly Twitter) captured the President watching the live transmission on TVC News.

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The caption read: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, observed Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State defect from the PDP to the APC in the early hours of today.”

Eno made an official announcement of his defection on Friday at the Government House in Uyo, the state capital.

READ ALSO: Governor Eno Endorsed For Second Term As He Doubles Ward PAs’ Salary To N500,000

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The governor said the decision followed “three months of wide consultation” with critical stakeholders across the state.

Eno expressed his gratitude to the PDP for their support during his tenure, stating that it was time for him to make a progressive move.

APC has also formally welcomed the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, following his defection to the ruling party.

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In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party’s National Working Committee expressed delight at Eno’s decision, describing it as a significant boost to both the party and the people of Akwa Ibom.

Photo/Video Credit: PUNCH

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US-based Mathematics Professor Joins Osun Gov Race

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A United States of America-based Professor of Mathematics, Rafiu Durodoye, has joined the race for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress, promising to focus on education and quality healthcare delivery if elected governor.

Durodoye, an indigene of Osogbo, Osun State who was accompanied by many supporters, earlier met the members of the State Working Committee of the APC at the party’s State Secretariat in Osogbo on Wednesday.

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Prof. Rafiu Durodoye
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Durodoye expressed hope that APC would provide a platform for him to contest the poll.

READ ALSO: Osun APC, PDP In War Of Words After Adeleke, Tinubu’s Meeting

“I am Professor Rauf Durotoye, a Professor of Mathematics at Dallas College for 37 years.
At this point in my life, I have to contribute my quota to the development of Osun State.

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“I want to donate my knowledge, experience and wealth to the development of our youth. Our youth have no future, no mission, no goal, it is very sad.

“So I have to donate everything that I have in order to make Osun, not only a great state but also a model state that others will learn from in education, health care delivery, science and technology and economy empowerment, I can do it,” Durodoye said.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Hosts Gov Adeleke, Deji Adeleke, Davido In Lagos

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Commenting on the state of affairs in Osun APC, he commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola for providing leadership for the party in Osun.

He also lauded President Bola Tinubu, for the effort to stimulate the economy, saying the direction he is leading Nigeria will end in self and sustained growth.

Asked about his chances to get an APC ticket, the university don said, “I am very hopeful that the party will give me the ticket. I am here to provide service. No quality education in the state, we have to do something about it.”

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Already, the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, a security expert and lawyer, Mr. Dotun Babayemi and the chairman, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, have announced their interest in the APC ticket for the August 8, 2026 Osun governorship poll.
(PUNCH)

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