Fred Okiemute Majemite, who hails from Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with Polycarp Orosevwotu, the former commissioner and special adviser to the Delta State Government speaks on zoning, his ambition and other partisan issues
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa indicated recently that there is no formal agreement on the rotation of the governorship seat among the three senatorial districts. This suggests that the primary is open to aspirants from the three zones. What is your take on this?
Actually, the governor is right because there was never a time the three senatorial districts sat, wrote and signed any written agreement on rotation. But, there is an understanding that it should go round and that is what has been keeping the party as one big family till date. This does not mean that other senatorial districts should not indicate interest during the primary. Nevertheless, the convention has been to favour the senatorial district that the ticket is zoned to eventually. If you recall, Delta Central took the first shot, followed by Delta South and then Delta North. From inception, aspirants from other senatorial districts indicated an interest in the ticket but, at the end of the day, the party knows the district that would produce the governor. So, the governor is right in saying that there is no formal or written agreement; it is just an understanding among the stakeholders. Nevertheless, I believe the governor was quoted out of context because he was quoted to have said that there is no written agreement and that only God knows who will take over from him. Furthermore, he is also right in saying that he does not know who will take over from him. During the primary that produced Okowa as the candidate, there were aspirants from both Delta South and Delta Central. But, in the end, he emerged as the flag bearer. So, you can see that it boils down to the same rotation and understanding.
If there is an understanding, as you have said, why are Delta Central stakeholders lobbying other districts for the ticket?
Yes, we didn’t even start it from other senatorial districts; after the formation of Delta Central 2023 (DC-23), our first visit was to our traditional rulers to have their blessings and also ask for their support over this noble course. It was after these visits to our monarchs that we embarked on visits to our sister senatorial districts to lobby and seek their support for the 2023 governorship. You can now see clearly that even with the clear knowledge of the understanding, we still saw the need to move to other senatorial districts to lobby them because we cannot do it alone. So far, our appeal for support is gaining ground, considering the kind of reception and response we are receiving. it is so encouraging that we will say all is well. Basically, it all started from Chief James Ibori, who governed the state for eight years; from there to Delta South, which produced Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and now Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa is on his last lap on the ticket of Delta North. This has shown clearly that the governorship rotation has become a bond that has kept Delta State PDP intact.
What gives you the confidence that your group, the DC-23, would succeed in producing a candidate?
I am a pioneer member of the Delta Central 2023 and also one of the aspirants eyeing the ticket. The task of settling for a candidate is not always easy anywhere, but with God directing the leadership of the group, certainly, we would succeed. So, we are praying to God Almighty to give the leadership of the group the wisdom and the enablement to achieve the purpose for which the group was formed.
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Observers say the group was put together by one particular aspirant and that he may have other plans that are unknown to the others. What is your take on this?
Let us not deceive ourselves; no one is sponsoring DC-23. We are all pioneer members with equal stakes. So, the idea that one particular member is spearheading the group is not true. At least, I am not aware of it. l have heard a similar rumour but l know there is no such thing. We came up with the group to reach out to our sister senatorial districts.
There are rumours that Okowa and his predecessors, Chief Ibori and Dr. Uduaghan are projecting different aspirants. Would it not cause problems and bring division to the party?
It may not be strange if the incumbent governor and the two past governors are projecting different aspirants for the election. But, l know at the end of the day, they will all sit and settle on one person because they cannot afford to lose the state to the opposition party because of their individual interest. You cannot expect them to freely lose a state they have taken time to build to a new political party to manage. My governors and leaders that I know will not do it; they will come to a round table and settle it, that is if the rumour is true. On NDDC, it is very unfortunate that we have found ourselves in this mess. When the former President Goodluck Jonathan was there, we were seeing the good work the management of the commission was doing. But, since President Muhammadu Buhari came on board, it is a different ball game because the commission is being run by a one-man committee. So, l am appealing to the government to put in place a substantive board.
Obviously, you are warming up for the governorship. After serving the state in different capacities under Ibori and Uduaghan, why are you still interested in serving?
Truly, l am warming up to contest the election. If you look at my antecedents, you will know that l have worked for the party. I have attempted in the past to go to the Senate on two different occasions but was asked to step down and l did. Now that the governorship has come to Delta Central, l have to indicate interest to run and I am very hopeful by the grace of God.
What happens if you are asked to step down again?
I have been asked several times to withdraw and as a party loyal man, l have done that several times. So, l have no doubt that this time around nobody would ask me to drop my ambition; not now that they all know am also ageing and have made a lot of sacrifices for the party. I am not going into the race for the purpose of negotiation but to serve my people, if am given the ticket of the party; though it is only God that gives power.
What is your assessment of Okowa’s administration in the past six years?
Sen. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa is one man who worked so hard to become governor. If you could recall in 2007 when you look at all the manifesto of all the aspirants then, you will agree with me that Okowa was one person that understands Delta State. He didn’t just wake up that he wants to become governor; he prepared himself for the task and that is why when he became governor, he immediately hit the ground running. He has consolidated on all the achievements of his predecessors because he continued from where they stopped; he did not abandon any of their projects but completed them while building other ones. Okowa has done well and one of his major achievements people do not see is the relative peace Deltans has been enjoying; no violence in any part of the state and this is so commendable. He has also done a lot in the riverine areas, if you have visited the Ijaw area you will see the roads he has constructed. I am so proud of that; he has performed so well and we need to give him our support for the next two years, so that he can finish stronger.
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