Politics

LP, Delta Govt Disagree On Oborevwori’s First 100 Days

Published

8 months ago

September 9, 2023

One hundred days is a very short time for any meaningful assessment of governance. But if an administrator hits the ground running from the first day in office, reasonable milestones can be identified within the period.

Prior to his inauguration as Governor of Delta State, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori was perceived by a section of the populace as incompetent.

This perception was not unconnected to the tag of ‘street credibility’ attached to him during the campaigns ahead of the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state. “Why would you want to make someone who says he is a street man governor?” those who doubted his capacity to govern the state asked.

But the governor has been able to convince some of the cynics since assuming office on May 29. But many are yet to be convinced.

Incidentally, Oborevwori has promised to take development beyond what exists in the state by doing more for the people through his M.O.R.E agenda.

After taking over the reins of office on May 29, Oborevwori visited Warri South Local Government Area to inspect the multi billion naira storm water drainage project. The visit was meant to be an on-the-spot assessment of the project which is designed to avert flooding in the Warri/Uvwie axis and thereby ensure that the oil rich city returns to its glory days.

Expectedly, residents trooped out to catch a glimpse of their governor. Residents of First Marine Gate, one of the communities in the area, used the opportunity of the governor’s visit to inform him of their challenges, especially how they had lived in perennial darkness for years as a result of a faulty transformer.

Moved by their pleas, the governor instantly ordered that the faulty transformer be replaced, a pledge which was fulfilled within a week. A 500KVA transformer was delivered to the community by Warri South LGA chairman, Dr. Michael Tidi.

Receiving the transformer, the chairman of the community, Mr. Omoefe Agaga, thanked the governor for the kind gesture, promising to protect the transformer from vandals.

The recent escalation of hostilities between Aladja community in Udu LGA and Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South West LGA may have come as a surprise to many.

This was especially because the two communities signed a peace pact not long ago. Oborevwori deployed mediation strategies to resolve the crisis, thereby raising hopes of more enduring peace between the warring communities. He directed the traditional institution to step in, leading to a rapprochement.

As a result, the Orodje of Okpe, His Royal Majesty, King Felix Mujakperuo, Chairman of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, summoned monarchs from both Urhobo and Ijaw nations to his palace.

The Ovie of Uvwie, Oborevwori’s second homeland after Okpe, HRM Abe 1, Chairman of Urhobo Traditional Rulers Council led other traditional rulers to the meeting.

The Ijaw Traditional Rulers Council was led by its chairman, HRM Elder (Capt.) Joseph Timiyan, the Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha kingdom.

In arriving at a resolution, the royal fathers were guided by the governor’s clear message to the communities that were up in arms: “No amount of land is worth dying for because when you fight and kill yourselves, the land will still remain”.

Ultimately, it is hoped that lasting peace has been restored following the royal intervention as directed by the governor.

To address perennial flooding challenges in the state, Oborevwori constituted a 14-man 2023 Flood Disaster Management Committee. Inaugurating the Committee, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr Kingsley Emu, charged members to sensitise citizens of the state, especially those living in coastal communities, of the need to move to higher grounds.

Speaking during the inaugural meeting, Emu charged the members of the committee to be diligent with the assignment as a lot depended on ensuring that flood victims are adequately catered for.

The SSG also stated that jingles should be aired on broadcast stations with a view to enlightening the public on the need to take precaution by moving out from flood prone areas to avoid being caught-up by the impending flood.

The SSG also spoke of plans to set up camps in the flood-hit areas of the State to accommodate those who may be affected by the impending flood.

But not everybody is impressed with the governor’s efforts, so far.

The South-South Chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Tony Ezeagwu, noted that even after the Federal Government allocated N5 billion to Delta State for palliatives, no relief material has been distributed in the state.

“In Delta State have you seen anything that is being showcased as palliative? Where is it being distributed?”, Ezeagwu asked.

The SSG, Emu, however explained that to ameliorate the suffering of citizens following the removal of petrol subsidy, the state government has commenced implementation of various palliative measures.

However, the Labour Party has passed a damning verdict on Oborevwori’s first 100 days in office as Delta State governor.

Ezeagwu, the Chairman of the LP in the South-South, told DAILY POST that in the Governor’s first 100 days, the State “is lacking the spark of governance”.

Although he agreed that 100 days is not enough to do much, Ezeagwu said the Governor should have addressed transportation challenges in the State by rehabilitating bad roads and providing mass transit buses.

“It would have reduced the high transport cost currently being experienced by the people. That would have been very good,” he said.

Asked to assess Oborevwori’s first 100 days as governor, the LP South-South leader said, “As far as I am concerned, there’s nothing to be excited about because the Governor has done nothing tangible on ground; so there is nothing to show for his administration’s 100 days.”

Ezeagwu added that while the Governor has been visiting different parts of the State, “we have not seen anything tangible in terms of governance”.

He added, “What is on ground is what former governor Ifeanyi Okowa left behind. There’s no new thing. He (Oborevwori) has been visiting places without governance. Visiting is not governance. He should engage himself in actual governance.”
DAILY POST

Politics

PDP Crisis: Why Party Members Are Resigning – Sule Lamido

Published

5 hours 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.
VANGUARD

Politics

Edo Guber: We’ll Fight If… – Obaseki Threatens

Published

21 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Editor

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has warned members of Legacy Group within the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to state away from the party else they’ll face his wrath.

Obaseki gave the warning weekend at the inauguration of the state campaign council of the PDP in preparation for the September 21 gubernatorial election in the state.

Obaseki, who described the Legacy Group as disorganised, sheep without shepherd, alleged that they have collected money from the party, adding that is why they are fighting to disorganised the PDP in the state.

The Governor who expressed confidence in the 363-member campaign council, noted that the structure of the campaign council was rooted in all the 192 wards across the state, adding that every organ of the party was captured.

Obaseki, who noted that the PDP has the best candidate and programmes for the people of Edo, said: “The time table is out, can you see any of them (Legacy Group)? Can they organise themselves? PDP leads, others follow.”

Obaseki further said: “PDP is one. Those who are fighting PDP have collected money from the other parties, and they want to sell out, join me so that we can flush them out of our party. Because we are not going to allow anybody to divide us, we are one party; one indivisible party in Edo State.

“The money they have collected is enough, let them go and enjoy it; let them go and spend it outside. We don’t have anything to fear. I will fight them if they try us; we will fight them if they try us. They know us, we never fight and lose, let them come and try. They have collected money, let them stay outside with their money, and not disturb us, because this election is ours and we are going to win by the grace of God.”

Obaseki, who declared that the opposition has no space in Edo, boasted that the PDP has put together hardworking campaign council members who, according to him, were going to deliver 80 per cent of the total votes to the party.

He further said: “By the grace of God, this campaign council will deliver nothing less than 80% of our votes.

“We can’t find them anywhere. They have no place here. They cannot destroy us at the centre and want to still come and destroy us here. We will not allow it. The hunger is too much out there, we are preventing the hunger from coming to Edo.

“Everybody sees what is happening in Nigeria today. You can see the suffering in the land. You can see the struggle in Edo, but we pulled Edo out of those problems. So, our campaign is going to be based on the hope we will give our citizens in Edo State.”

Earlier, the State Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, disclosed that the campaign council consisted of 363 members, excluding the women and youth wings.

Politics

Edo Poll: PDP Inaugurates Campaign Council, Obaseki Mocks Legacy Group, APC

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

Ahead of the September 21 gubernatorial election in Edo State, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Friday, inaugurated a 363-member campaign council, with Governor Goodwin Obaseki describing the other faction known as Legacy Group as disorganised, sheep without sephard.

The governor who alleged that the factional PDP members fighting in the party have collected money from opposition parties to distabilise the party in the state, warned such persons to stay away or face his wrath.

Obaseki said: “PDP is one. Those who are fighting PDP have collected money from the other parties, and they want to sell out, join me so that we can flush them out of our party. Because we are not going to allow anybody to divide us, we are one party; one indivisible party in Edo State.

He further said: “By the grace of God, this campaign council will deliver nothing less than 80% of our votes.

“Everybody sees what is happening in Nigeria today. You can see the suffering in the land. You can see the struggle in Edo, but we pulled Edo out of that problems. So, our campaign is going to be based on the hope we will give our citizens in Edo State.”

He noted that the structure of the campaign council was rooted in all the 192 wards across the state, adding that every organ of the party was captured.

Earlier, the State Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, disclosed that the campaign council comprised of 363 members, excluding the women and youth wings.

In his acceptance speech, the Director-General of the state campaign council, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, thanked the governor and PDP faithful for the opportunity to serve the party.

Iduoriyekemwen, however, promised to lead the party to victory come Sept.

In his remarks, the PDP governorship candidate, Barr. Asue Ighodalo, who thanked party faithful and leaders for the confidence repose in him, said Obaseki had laid a functional foundation at every sector that he would build upon.