By Austin Ogwuda
Incumbent Governor of Delta State, RT. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori did openly confess that his ascension to power a year ago was by divine touch of God, wading through the political ‘roforofo’ (battles) culminating in 38 legal warfares.
The occasion was at the Thanksgiving Service in commemoration of his First One Year in office held at the Asaba Headquarters of Living Faith Church, aka Winners Chapel located on Ibusa Road, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.
But something remarkable was witnessed as the Member representing Delta South Senatorial district of Delta State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas was visibly spotted attending the service which The Townhall captured as newsworthy because it is rare to find politicians from opposing political parties showing up even if it is a state function like this very one.
Immediately after the service, trust newshounds, they ambushed him and the Senator who fielded questions.
His words “First, let me correct one thing: I am a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am not a Senator for only APC members in my Senatorial District but a Senator for both APC, PDP and all other parties. I am to represent all and bring the dividends of democracy to our people.
“Note also, the Governor of Delta State is the Governor to everyone in Delta State and I do not think he is Governor to only those who are PDP members.
“Moreover, I am a Senator today because Delta State exists, I am also a critical stakeholder in Delta State. For emphasis sake, I represent 1/3 of the State and my other two colleagues from Delta State represent 2/3 of the State.
”Having said the above, I want to say that, His Excellency extending invitation to all the Senators from Delta State irrespective of their political leaning is the smartest and wisest thing that he has done.
“And I think, it will be very timid and very disrespectful of me to turn down such an invitation.The question I need to ask myself if I even think of turning down the invitation is: what do I intend to achieve? And very honestly, I will have no answer to such a question other than telling myself not to attend because the Governor is a PDP Governor. Which to me is pure nonsensical
“As an APC member”, he went on, “I should imitate my APC supreme leader in person of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who is so broad minded in not only relating with members of the opposition but even appointing His Excellency Nyesom Wike as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, because he recognized the fact that he is the President of everyone in Nigeria.
“I want to say that His Excellency, Sheriff Oborevwori should be commended for being broad minded like our President. I want to encourage him to continue to be broad minded and also being inclusive. I am waiting for the day he will appoint credible members of the opposition party into his cabinet.
”I also want to say that I am not aware of the President giving directive to MDAs {Ministries, Departments and Agencies} of government to pass all Federal Government intervention programs through only APC members rather all intervention programs are rooted through the various State Governors irrespective of their political affiliation. And this is the way to go.
”Finally, I want to encourage everyone to move away from primitive politics where the opposition is considered to be an enemy and as such must be punished. This country needs a cross fertilization of ideas to have rapid development.
”We are elected into office to represent our people whether you are APC, PDP or any other party. We can be in different parties but with one common goal – the empowerment of our people and the development of our environment. We must not lose sight of this”, he added.
Well said, dear Senator
This approach is definitely commendable because of the toxicity existing between the ruling party PDP and not really opposition parties per se but political heavyweights scattered among these opposition parties, some of them foundation were members of PDP before jumping ship.
Some of these political big wigs in the opposition do not see any good thing the Governor does whether he tars the road that leads to their personal homes in the village, they turn blind eyes.They see opposition as cat and rat affair.
Some too are actually genuine in criticising when necessary but have vowed Never to wine and dine on the same table with system in power; no matter the occasion.
Also, while Governor Oborevwori is broad minded as Senator Joel pointed out, it is also important to say here the cabinet members including PDP leaders should not treat opposition as lepers.
One would expect many PDP stalwarts that attended the service giving Senator Joel a hug for his openess.
Opposing political parties should not in any way abandon their responsibility to offer positive criticisms as well as proffer alternative solutions likewise.
Kudos to Senator Joel-Onowakpo for changing the narrative on how to play healthy politics, devoid of any atom of jingoism.
*Senator Joel-Onowakpo at the Church service