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Tag: Delta 2019

  • Delta 2019: Will zoning be a factor in APC primary?

     Will zoning play a major role in the Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary? Senior Correspondent OKUNGBOWA AIWERIE examines the preparation of the chapter for next year’s poll, the contenders, their strengths and weaknesses. 

    Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) is full of hope for a brighter future. The chieftains have returned to the drawing board. But, governorship aspirants on the opposition platform are divided by zoning.

    The contenders are mobilising for the party, ahead of next year’s polls. They have embarked on consultative visits to the nooks and crannies of the state to sell their manifestos. They bear messages of hope to their supporters.

    The aspirants include Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Chief O’tega Emerhor, and Chief Great Ogboru. Some chieftains may still join the race as the elections draw near.

    But, can the APC spring a surprise? Can the party defeat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)? What is the chance of the party at the poll?

    According to observers, zoning will be an important factor during the contest. Will the party respect zoning in the state and concede the governorship ticket to a candidate of Delta North extraction? Will the APC throw the contest open for aspirants from the three senatorial districts?

    In Delta, zoning is a vexed issue. It reared its head at a meeting of Delta North APC chieftains. Following its resolve at a recent meeting at the country home of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu, in Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha North Local Government Area, the matter has become a divisive issue.

    Governor Infeanyi Okowa is from the North. In 2015, the PDP zoned the slot to the district. Since the governor is recontesting, APC leaders believe that his main challenger should come from the district.

    In its communique after the meeting, party leaders urged eligible aspirants from Delta North to make their ambitions known to the zone “at the earliest possible time.”

    According to them, “ from the inception of the Third Republic, the Central and South districts have successfully completed two gubernatorial terms and as a result, the right of the Delta North to complete its second term under the banner of the APC is only equitable.”

    They also resolved to “enlist the support of the other zones in Delta State to produce a saleable gubernatorial candidate of Delta North extraction”.

    Delta North appears to have the support of APC chieftains from Delta South. A source said the mood of Delta South APC leaders favoured a candidate from the North in the spirit of equity.

    During their meeting of March 4 at the residence of its chairman,Yemi Omaghomi,   Delta South leaders agreed to support Delta North governorship candidacy with the proviso that such a candidate will “do one term in line with extant power rotation in the state and allow the zone complete its two terms of eight years.”

    According to their communiqué, “Delta South APC notes that the request of Delta North APC is fair, just and equitable  as it guarantees all ethnic groups, particularly the minority ethnic groups in our dear state, fair access to the governorship seat of the state”.

    Some APC chieftains from Delta North extraction appear to have keyed into the idea.   Ojougboh, said he will abide by the resolution and serve for only one term, if elected as governor. But, some analysts said it is easier said than done.

    Ojougboh said his commitment one term is to give operative content to zoning, which will clear the path for the three districts to s complete two “gubernatorial tenures.” He said the arrangement should be preserved.

    Ojougboh is a former member of the House of Representatives from Ika Constituency. He is also a former PDP governorship aspirant.  He said his desire to contest the governorship election is borne out of a desire to rescue Delta State from the PDP’s misrule.

    Ojougboh said: “I want to make it clear that I am not contesting the Delta State governorship ticket just because I am from Delta North. I am not saying it must be me because I am from Delta North. I am not claiming superiority over anyone in Delta State.

    “I believe the APC must take power and all of us must make personal sacrifices, so that there will be change and if, however, you decide that I am capable and you elect me, I want to assure you that I will do only one term. I will not abuse the arrangement on the ground. I am a man of my words. I will do only one term.”

    Zoning is sacrosant in Delta PDP. The formula has guaranteed access to power to strong contenders from the three districts. Thus, the party believes that each district is entitled to two terms.  The implication is that Okowa will get the ticket unchallenged in the ruling party.

    The onus is now on the APC family to present a formidable contender from the North to compete for the number one position with Okowa next year.

    A leader of the party from Delta Central and former governorship candidate in 2015,  Emerhor, is is rooting for zoning. He is yet to declare his intention to run. But, during a consultative visit by Prof Pat Utomi to Evwreni, his country home, Emerhor said justice, equity and fairplay demanded that the ticket should be zone to the North.

    He said: “As an individual, I have decided along with committed APC leaders who really want change in Delta State that we will not do things the same way again this time because the opposition in Delta has not had this type of opportunity that is available to us today.

    “You will recall that in 2015, I ran for the governor of Delta State, and I still have the capacity to do that now. But, I took a decision not to run because the environment supports a different formula that excludes me, and that is why I am not out there consulting like others.”

    However, Delta Central APC has kept a sealed lip on zoning.  The fact that APC Delta Central has not publicly conceded the ticket to Delta North signifies a crack in Delta APC. Lack of agreement, according to observers, may spell doom for the party during the election.

    Although Ogboru, a prominent Urhobo politician from Delta Central, has not declared his intention to run, sources said he is eyeing the ticket. It is a life ambition for him.

    Sources said his ambition is causing disquiet in the party as he is unwilling to back down for anyone.

    Recently, chieftains of the party, including 22 local government chairmen and secretaries, converged on his Abraka country, Ethiope West Local Government Area, to unanimously endorse him as the sole candidate for the 2019 election.

    Despite Ogboru’s denial that the endorsement took place, many are wary of the antics of the charismatic politician

    A source said Omo-Agege, Richard Odibo, Ossai Abeh and others were present at the occasion.

    Reacting to the endorsement, the Coordinator, Light of APC, a pressure group, Ossai Abeh, said: “That is public opinion for you. The charisma and attraction of Ogboru to Deltans is well known the world over and what happened there was a tip of the iceberg and sample of public opinion.”

    However, the position of the Delta APC leadership is that it does not recognize zoning. Therefore, it will not champion the zoning of elective offices.

    The Chairman Delta APC, Mr. Jones Erue, also debunked the insinuation.

    He said: “We hereby make it categorically clear that our party has not zoned the governorship ticket to any zone, and has no intention to do so.

    “We are totally committed to and will strictly follow our party’s constitution in the choice of all candidates.”

    According to him, the party was averse to the zoning of any elective position because it breaches the party’s constitution.

    To further underscore the uncertainty and controversy over zoning, aspirants from the three districts have intensified their consultations and mobilisation, ahead of the primary.

    The aspirants-Ojougboh, (Delta North), Prof Pat Utomi (Delta North), Ogboru (Delta Central), Osiobe Okotie (Delta Central), and Emeka  Nwandiani (Delta North), andVictor Ochei (Delta North)-are not leaving anything to chances.

    The battle for the 2019 govrnorship ticket in Delta Central appears to be between forces who want political control  in 2019 and those who want to wait till 2023 elections, when it will be the “turn” of the Delta Central, going by the existing rotational or zoning arrangement on ground.

     

  • Delta 2019: Hurdles before Okowa

    Delta 2019: Hurdles before Okowa

    As Delta State prepares for next year’s general elections, Senior Correspondent OKUNGBOWA AIWERIE examines the issues that will shape the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary. 

    As next year’s general elections draw near, the pace of consultations among members of the political class in Delta State has increased considerably.

    Although some PDP political aspirants have started indicating interest to run for elective positions, none has indicated interest in the governorship poll.

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa will most likely pick the ticket, judging by the wave of endorsements by many pressure groups within the ruling party.

    But, the governor, according to some analysts, faces three dangers in his quest to revalidate his mandate before Deltans.

    There are puzzles: has Okowa performed in the eyes of Deltans to merit a second term in office? What is his scorecard?

    Secondly, some analysts believe his success at the polls will, largely, be dependent on how  he manages the ambitions of PDP members vying for various elective positions.

    The questions on the lips of everyone is: will he side with his political associates seeking elective positions against other aspirants  or allow free and fair primaries?

    Thirdly, will the All Progressive Congress (APC) pose a credible challenge in the forthcoming election? Judging by stiff opposition by the party during the resent local polls, it appears the PDP will have to sit up.

    Opinion is divided among Deltans as to whether Okowa has delivered on his electioneering promises or not, but a report released in 2017 by the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria (NCCN), using indices such as  human capital ,infrastructure ,economy and institutions, ranked the state second only to Lagos State.

    The Chief Press Secretary to Okowa, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said the administration has embarked on the construction of over 98 roads across the three senatorial districts, totaling 612 km with over 300 km drains constructed. He said, despite the paucity of funds occasioned by the recessive economy, the Okowa administration has made great developmental strides.

    His words: “In our desire to change the face of roads in the state, we have commenced fresh construction of road projects in areas hitherto not attended to, particularly in the creeks where such efforts requires sufficient amount of courage , determination, fairness, equity and a deep sense of patriotism to undertake. Examples of such could be found in Okerenkoko, Ogulagha, Burutu, Sokebulou and others.”

    Aniagwu in the education sector, the Okowa administration has established 24 new schools, adding that efforts at giving a facelift to technical education was on course with the construction of six technical schools.

    On the youth empowerment scheme of the government, he said over 6000 entrepreneurs have been created.

    But, Okowa’s critic and kinsman, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh disagreed. He alleged large scale larceny by the administration harsh words for the State Executive Council and the legislature for their alleged complicity.

    He said, “The Delta State House of Assembly has approved over 16 tranches of loans for the personal use of the governor and the lame duck State Executive Council and sleeping  House of Assembly are unable to act as check. The governor of Delta State awarded to himself an approval limit of N250, 000,000. The commissioners do not have mandate for any approval whatsoever. Even in Ibori and Uduaghan administrations, the governor’s approval limit was N50million.”

    Aside developmental issues, does Okowa possess the shrewdness to pilot the affairs of the party through the political minefield ahead?

    For a politician who has risen through the rungs of the political ladder to becoming governor, it will be safe to conclude so.

    Within the ranks of the party, bigwigs are warming up to contest the forthcoming elections. Will he support his political allies against other party members? Or will he insist on organizing a free, fair and credible primary to settle the contest

    Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, ex –federal lawmaker from Aniocha South/Aniocha North constituency, is gearing up to have another go at the ticket after his loss to Mrs. Onyemeachi Mrakpor, following his ill-advised decision to contest the 2015 governorship election.

    Mrakpor is  a staunch support of Okowa.

    Another conundrum Okowa must resolve is the race for Delta North Senatorial District ticket. Will he support Senator Peter Nwaoboshi to reclaim the ticket or another political ally Prince Ned Nwoko?

    Analysts believe either way, Okowa must tread softly or incur the wrath of two important party men and risk polarising the PDP, especially in Delta North.

    During a recent PDP meeting of the nine local government areas in Delta North in Kwale, Ndokwa West L.G.A, the two politicians engaged in a battle of wits.

    The simple tradition of donating money to the cause of the party in the locality became a battle of supremacy between both Nwaoboshi and Nwoko.

    As a middle ground to diffuse the tension within the party, Okowa proposed setting up a college of PDP leaders in the nine local government areas of Delta North to liaise with the party executive to ensure the emergence of only popular candidates at primaries.

    Okowa said: “College of Leaders should be established to comprise twenty persons in every local government area, we want unity in our party and we should avoid anything that can cause division in our party. Leaders must allow the people to choose their candidates, as aspirants, we should be mindful of how we go about our campaigns because, primaries will come and go but, we will remain as party men, we will remain brothers and sisters.”

    A political analyst, Chika Chikodi, warned that this move by the governor may be costly as some leaders who may be overlooked may cause division within the party.

    His words: “I think Governor Okowa’s decision to select leaders in the party to superintendent the emergence of popular candidate is fraught with a lot of problems. How do you select these leaders? Will some party members not feel aggrieved if they are overlooked? Why will the party not opt for a transparent system that allows party members test their popularity? I suspect a repeat of what happened during the local polls where candidates were foisted against popular choice of the people.”

    The race for the Delta South Senatorial District ticket is raging former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, an Itsekiri, is interested.

    Also interested is Mr. Michael Diden Ejele, another Itsekiri man, and member representing Warri North Constituency. But, the incumbent lawmaker, Senator James Manager, a four- time federal lawmaker, and an Ijaw, may still be eyeing the coveted seat.

    Uduaghan pulled out of the 2015 Delta South Senatorial District election in the last minute allegedly due to pressures from ex-militant leader Chief Government Ekpemokpolo.

    Delta South Senatorial District is made up of the Itsekiris, Isokos and the Ijaws, but the Ijaws ethnic group appears to have monopolized the position since the inception of the fourth republic, leading to grumblings from the other ethnic groups.

    Will Okowa back  his trusted ally Michael Diden, or once again appease the Ijaws and risk alienating the other ethnic groups which make up the senatorial district? Or worse still, prevail on ex-Governor Uduaghan, to forgo his ambition?

    In the run-up to the 2015 governorship elections, Mr. Michael Diden, against the wishes of Uduaghan, publicly supported Okowa’s candidacy when it was dangerous to so do.

    Will Okowa back Diden’s claim to the senatorial ticket or risk losing the votes from Warri North L.G.A?

    Waiting to benefit from the impending implosion within the ruling party is the opposition All Progressive Party (APC).

    Although the APC lost the January local government polls, it pushed the PDP to the limit in that election.

    The APC may stand to profit should the PDP fail to manage its affairs and pull  together all the centrifugal forces within it.  Okowa has to tread on egg shells to reclaim his mandate for a second tenure.

    Will Okowa, a wily grassroots politician adept at pulling the chestnut out of the fire, succeed this time? Will his warning to PDP faithful be heeded?

    He said: “With 2019 elections coming up, various groups are beginning to cause trouble for us, but, we don’t want to go into the next election in groups. The more united we are, the stronger we will be as a people, don’t allow your support for aspirants influence your decision because, you do not gain anything by working against the party.”

     

     

  • Delta 2019: 34 parties urge Utomi to run for governor

    OVER 34 political parties under the Coalition of Registered Political Parties in Delta State, (CRPP) have called on Prof. Pat Utomi to run for the Delta State governorship position come 2019 to save the state from its 16 years of poor leadership.

    In an open letter addressed to Utomi, signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Hon. Efe Tobor and Prince Jude Eze, the group appealed to Utomi to contest the governorship election of the state, as he is the only reliable, capable and trusted candidate for the position.

    The political party chairmen out of 40 parties in the state, had explained that during the 2015 governorship election, they invested their hopes and future on the then Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, believing  he would change things, when he promised prosperity for all Deltans.

  • Delta 2019: PDP chieftain charges party women to mobilise for victory

    THE Delta State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Barrister Kingsley Esiso, has charged members of the PDP Patriotic Ladies to mobilise Deltans ahead of the 2019 general elections so as to capture Delta for the purpose of continuity.

    Esiso gave this charge during a familiarization visit of a women group to his office at Asaba, Delta State, expressing happiness over the visit and assuring the group of the party’s readiness to work with the ladies group.

    Advising the group to work with the state party woman leader, Esiso said, “As you all know, the party has a state woman leader and I believe that whatever you are doing is for her support. It does not make your executives not to function in their own capacity.”