By Austin Ogwuda
IT is now clear that the present Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori is really a grassroot politician with his ears on the ground.
This is because he took everybody by surprise by escaping the imminent danger, that could elicit bad press should he had appointed the immediate past Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu back into office.
Prior to the inauguration of the State executive council EXCO on Tuesday, majority of Journalists had laid ambush waiting to take a pound of flesh from the Ika-born journalist, Aniagwu, for gross display of arrogance and taking them for granted during the dying days of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration.
Aniagwu is not alone in the cold war between the journalists and other media aides of Okowa.
Apart from few black legs amongst the journalists and negligible few who benefited from Aniagwu and co divide and rule tactics no Journalist in the State is happy because they were taken for granted including the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ in State except they want to pretend that all is well and in a bid to be ‘politically correct”.
That was why before the governor named his Chief Press Secretary CPS in person of Sir Festus Ahon, when the news filtered that two journalists who were among the Okowa media team were also eyeing the CPS job, these aggrieved Journalists were beating drums of war.
Infact The Town Hall Media can authoritatively report that placards were already prepared down waiting if the name of any of them particularly the immediate past CPS, Olisa Ifejika was okayed.
Respite finally came when Ahon was eventually announced.
As at Tuesday morning before the swearing of the Commissioners tongues were wagging to the effect that Aniagwu might be returned back to office.
Hear what a journalist from one of the mainstream media told this Reporter.
” The saving grace is that he is (Aniagwu) pushed to entirely different ministry otherwise we (journalists) are waiting.
Is like the chicken coming to roost, let him come. Can one eat his cake and have it back?”, he asked.
Aniagwu, as a person is a seasoned media manager who actually performed creditably well as Information Commissioner, driving the ‘SMART’ Agenda of governor Okowa.
But he got his fingers burnt when he took up arms with Journalists in the State to an extent that that he allegedly tore into shreds a proposal for training of Journalists.
Again, as the Information manager in the State he was aware that there was lopsidedness in the disbursement of the governor’s largesse, otherwise known as parting gift.
Many of the Journalists were shut out and he and other media aides were bragging that they were not answerable to them maintaining with so much arrogance that they didn’t give a hoot about any repercussion.
Recall that sometime in June this year Asaba Correspondents chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State blacklisted the immediate former governor of the state, Ifeanyi Okowa and his media aides.
The red card issued them was contained in a six-point communique issued at the end of its three-hour meeting attended by members from the print, broadcast and online media organisations, which reads:
“That no member of the chapel should cover any event or use any press release or statements by media aides to the immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and that such event or release is about the image laundering of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.
“That the media adviser to the immediate past governor, Olisa Ifejika who was a former chairman of the chapel, failed to represent the interest of the chapel during his tenure as Chief Press Secretary.
“That any member of the chapel that acts contrary to the resolutions will be suspended for a period not less than six months without any benefits accruing to members.
“That the newly appointed Chief Press Secretary to Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and a member of the chapel as well as National Ex-Officio of NUJ, Comrade Festus Ahon is worthy of the appointment and is hereby congratulated.
“That the unity of the chapel executive, and members cannot be compromised”.
As can be seen from the tone of the declaration of persona non grata toga on both Okowa and his former media aides, although Governor Oborevwori has the inalienable right to appoint anybody to any ministry, but assigning the Information portfolio to Aniagwu could have been suicidal.
He cleverly dodged the ‘bullet’ to avoid the attendant bad press.
However, the question begging for answer is, can he (Oborevwori) run the State without a Commissioner to head the Information ministry, a critical one as such?
*Below is the list of
The Commissioners & their Portfolios
i. Science and Technology _ Odinigwe Odigie Daniel
ii. Hon. Joan Onyemaechi_ Technical Education
iii. Jerry Ehiwario_ Power and Energy
iv. Aniagwu Charles Ehiedu _ Works (Rural Roads)
V. Dr. Kingsley Ashibuogwu_ Primary Education
vi. Engr. Michael Ifeanyi Anoka_ Urban Renewal
vii. Hon. (Evang) Princess Pat. A. Ajudua,_ Women Affairs Community & Social Development
viii. Dr. Darlington Nnamdi ljeh_ Culture and Tourism
ix. Chief Fidelis Okenmor Tilije_ Finance
X. Barr. Funyei Manager_ Special Projects
xi. Hon. Godknows Angele_ Housing
Xii. Dr. Joseph Onojaeme Ogheneogaga_ Health
Xiii. Goodnews Emamusi Obiodeh_ Lands, Survey & Urban Development
Agriculture & Natural
xiv. Omoun Perekebena Perez_ Agriculture & Natural Resources
xv. Orode Meyiwa Uduaghan _Girl Child Entrepreneurship & Humanitarian Support Services
xvi. Isaac Tosan Wilkie _ Water Resources Development
xvii. Agbateyimiro Isaac Weyinmi_ Youth Development
xviii. Samuel Oligida _ Trade & Investment
Xix. Prof. Tonukari Johnbull _Higher Education
xx. Etagherure Ejiro Terry _ Bureau for Special Duties
xxi.Mrs. Rose Ezewu_ Basic & Secondary Education
Xxii. Jamani Tommy Ejiro_ Environment
xxiii. Onoriode Agofure_ Transport
xxiv. Hon. Izeze Rume Yakubu Reuben _ Works(Higher &Urban Roads
xxv Vincent Oyibode _ Oil & Gas
xxvi. Sonny Akporokiamo Ekedayen_ Economic Planning