By Austin Ogwuda
AS July 13 local government elections in Delta State count down, the build up to the various Party primaries is already heating up the system.
Especially within the ruling People’s Democratic Party PDP circle, political gladiators are engaged in serious politicking laced with bag of mixed feelings, horse trading, bitterness, schemings as well as positioning to build a political structure ahead of 2027 as game plan.
The scheming is more intensified particularly within the ruling party that regard aspirants scaling through the Party primaries as having won the election in advance, no sympathy to the usual winning streaks of a ruling Party nationwide, not peculiar to Delta State alone. Don’t quote me if you add applying the ‘abracadabra’ syndrome.
Don’t forget that the electoral umpire had earlier disowned an election time table it put before coming up with the July 13 AUTHENTIC date. That drama is still fresh in our memories.
The Potpourri:
*ANIOCHA SOUTH: A well known and controversial political leader in the area, Pastor Joan Onyemaechi aka Ada Anioma resigned her appointment as a Commissioner, which according to her, was to pave way for her brother to emerge as the local government Council Chairmanship candidate under the umbrella of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, claiming that it is the turn of her clan (Ubulu-Ukwu) to produce the Chairmanship; the other two clans, namely Ogwashi Uku and Nsukwa having rotated the chairmanship.
Despite the resignation, a group of protesters from Nsukwa stormed Government House Asaba, barely 24 hours she dropped the job, disputing her claim.
They took her to the cleaners, faulting her for what they described as “selfish ambition”.
The protesters who claimed to be members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), under the aegis of Concerned Nsukwa Clan Youths were insisting that it is the turn of Nsukwa clan to produce the next Chairmanship candidate.
Different placards displayed by the protesters were bearing the following inscriptions:
“Nsukwa Clan is not a political slave”; “Say yes to equity, fairness, justice and balance in Aniocha south”; “Youth of Aniocha South endorse Nsukwa Clan mandate”; “Say no to political impunity, manipulation and oppression in Aniocha South” “On Equity we stand” and “Nsukwa Clan Council Chairmanship 2024 is non negotiable “.
Others include – “Senator Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa let Aniocha South south breathe”; “Say no to family business in Aniocha South; “Nsukwa Clan deserved the Council Chairmanship and “Nsukwa Clan wants Council Chairman or no deal”.
*UDU : After an initial denial that he was not eyeing the Udu Council Chairmanship seat, the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Olorogun Vincent Ogheneruemu Oyibode was endorsed as the Consensus candidate for Udu chairmanship by the PDP leaders and stakeholders in that local government.
The endorsement, again, came barely twenty four hours Oyibode in a disclaimer had disassociated himself completely from anything that has to do with the coming Chairmanship contest.
Ironically, the denial which came in the morning and in evening of the next day it was consensus endorsement.
Below is a verbatim copy of the DISCLAIMER entitled: TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
“It has come to my notice that some persons and a set of known and unknown media practitioners are peddling rumour that I, Olorogun Vincent Ogheneruemu Oyibode, JP FCIA, the Honourable Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Delta State consulted Udu PDP leaders for the position of council chairman.
Let me state without equivocation that I have not consulted anyone for the position of Udu Council Chairman. I am satisfied as Commissioner and member of the State Executive Council.
Those I accosted said they were using it as an “April Fool’s Day” as is commonly used on April 1st of every given year.
Finally, I urge all those peddling such rumour to desist from using my name to trend as such information is too sensitive at this precarious time when the political atmosphere is charged.
Signed:
Olorogun Vincent Ogheneruemu Oyibode, JP FCIA
Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Delta State”.
No wonder it is said that when an average politician in Nigeria (not all though) tells you Mr. Man, I will be signing that cheque tomorrow morning, you better take it with a pinch of salt. Be circumspect that’s all.
As at the time of this report neither the State government nor Oyibode himself has deemed it fit to tell Deltans whether he has formally resigned or not.
Apart from Ada Anioma who casually announced her resignation while addressing the congregation during a morning church service, no other Commissioner has come out to say I have resigned or considering it even though we hear the governor clearly mandated any of them interested to pursue LG elections interests could resign honourably. Although she owns and runs the church but was that the best platform to tell Deltans who employed her that she has dropped the job?
Question for Ada Anioma.
*THE OKOWA FACTOR
Below is a story published by FreshAngle on the same intrigues arising from the coming LG elections which partly reads:
“A Socio-Political Group, Action Caucus has warned that except the National Leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to order over his overbearing tendency on the party and plans to impose council Chairmen in the forthcoming LG poll.
The group in a press release endorsed by its coordinator, Tetsoma Ayemidejo and Secretary, Elozonam Ugboma also called on well meaning Deltans to rise up against unhealthy godfatherism rearing its head in the state in order to avoid the political debacle of Rivers State happening in Delta State.
The group noted that Okowa’s high handedness, especially as it concerns the running of the affairs of the state, if not urgently checked, may snowball into crisis that will consume the party in the state.
It further added that Okowa has began to build political structure to unseat Senator Ned Nwoko, the Senator Representing Delta North by planting his stooges at the council.
In a statement by the coordinator of the group and made available to newsmen in Asaba on Wednesday, the group noted that the former Governor’s action has also hampered the governor from delivering the much promised dividends of democracy to the people of Delta.
According to the group, the present issue that seems to be undermining the office of the Governor who is also the political leader of the PDP, is choice of the party’s candidates for the forthcoming Local Government election in the State.
The group noted that Okowa has concluded plan to force his cronies as chairmen and other positions for the poll across the state.
The reason for this is not far fetched; Okowa has not hidden his intention to go back to the Senate come 2027.
His preparation towards the ambition started as soon as Oborevwori was sworn in as Governor of Delta State where he (Okowa) single handedly handpicked almost all the Commissioners as well as other key positions for the incumbent Governor”, according to Freshangle.
*Watch out for the (part two)
