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Tag: Delta

  • Okowa’s Delta plan

    As transitions go, the unity of purpose and inclusiveness in the PDP politics of Delta State is remarkable even if it is not sometimes recognized such. After a fierce governorship primary in the party, the coming together of majority of the contestants and their followers to work and to promote a common front in the February general election is a masterstroke in political bridge-building.  Credit should naturally go to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and other political leaders for making this happen.

    In so many ways, Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP candidate, represents the natural trajectory in the future of Delta State; a modern, progressive, inclusive state, a success story in overcoming the artificial barriers and fault lines of the state.

    With over 17 years’ experience in politics rising from council chairman, through several political offices as commissioners for health, water resources, agriculture and natural resources and secretary to the state government, including a second elective office as Delta North Senator, Okowa’s evolution has taken an instructive path that is structured for success.

    What is apparent from this political narrative is that Okowa understands politics and he definitely understands Delta State. Much of his success has perhaps to do with his approach and style of politics. His common touch, human empathy, attention to detail and deep understanding of the dynamics of politics and resolute commitment to his goal has served him well.

    At the tactical level, Okowa is clearly a politician who knows how to exploit weaknesses and can construct a strong system. This is not as simple as it may seem; because in the power contest, to grasp very quickly where the weaknesses lay and at the same time husband your own resources in effective way to take advantage of a given opportunity are key elements that can decide the game. If anything is Okowa’s secret arsenal, that may well be it.

    Against great odds, Okowa has always found ways to triumph. His playbook is an interesting one and should become something of real interest to Deltans should he win the governorship on February 28, which in all likelihood is his to lose given the dynamics. Yet if his evolution is anything to go, it is unlikely that he is sitting on his oars. He knows there remains many mine fields.

    Lest this article gives the impression that Okowa’s interest is about power and how to organize to win it, his views on Delta, governance and the economics of the state is quite thought-provoking and reassuring in terms of a strong desire to consolidate on the existing successes of the Uduaghan administration. In many ways, Okowa’s ideas can be said to be an off-shoot of the Uduaghan programme. It has to be, considering that for nearly four years of Uduaghan’s administration, Okowa was secretary to the state government.

    His focus on inclusive growth, industrialization, job creation, agro-based industrial sector, urban renewal, human capital development, environment protection, is just the right emphasis that will secure the future of Delta state. Just like ‘Delta beyond Oil’, the economic aims of Okowa is directed at diversification and promotion of non-oil based economy. Actually in the light of recent crash in crude oil prices, it makes very little sense if not the height of foolishness to seek to build the economy of Delta State on oil, even with the abundance of this resource here.

    Okowa is not looking in that direction. This is good news.  For instance, on the issue of industrialization, he says: “The state under the outgoing administration has embarked upon certain large industrial activities such as the Warri industrial Business Park, Asaba ICT Park, Free Economic zones and 10 small scale industries under Public/ Private Partnership scheme. If completed by 2015, my administration shall accelerate the positive challenges that these mega industrial activities will offer. If not fully completed, I shall see to it that these valuable economic activities are duly completed, and engage the private sector effectively to drive commerce and grow industries.”

    This statement speaks to consolidation of policies, which is a good thing from the point of view of the resources that are already invested in it and the opportunities that these initiatives will bring. If Delta State is to make progress in tackling challenges of development, it is the ability of different administrations to understand and pursue a policy of continuity that will make that possible. The idea of discontinuing what a preceding administration had done simply because it will appear as if credit for a success will now be shared instead of looking into the merit and value of a given initiative is the sort of small-minded thinking that should have no place in serious leadership.

    Happily Okowa is showing that he is big in his thinking. Clearly for him, what is important is Delta State and how to advance its development. I also like the fact that he is talking about agriculture and industrialization in a very constructive manner. He says “Delta state has tremendous potential in agriculture. My administration will pursue multiple strategies that will boost agriculture produce and encourage free market for raw materials and foodstuffs. Our asset-based economic growth strategy will engender inclusive growth, job creation, and re-birth of local communities.”

    This sort of thinking will surely lift Delta State on the path of balanced growth and development. Okowa’s emphasis in agriculture is the sure pathway of investing in the local communities and by this usher in the sort of real grass root development the state has been yearning for. Having once straddled the ministries of agriculture and water resources, Okowa surely have great insights on the challenges ahead in these two sectors, which are central to any meaningful development.

    In addition, Okowa has always been a man with grass root interest perhaps that has to do with how he developed his political career from the local government council as secretary to the local council. So he, from the early stages of his political development understood the needs of the people at the grass roots. It is obvious the lessons he picked up then, he had retained which explains why in Delta State, Okowa has wide grass root followership.

    Now is the time to pay back to the people their loyalty to him. With his current thinking, it is clear he has his mind in the right direction. He wants to bring prosperity to the grassroots and he wants to make the people feel a part of the Delta dream. With four years ahead of him with victory at the polls, there is no debating the direction he will move. Delta State PDP is excited with his candidacy. He is definitely readying himself to build on what is on ground.

    Yet, no one expects that the dynamism of the Okowa plan is not going to be different, even if on some issues he shares similar views with Governor Uduaghan. That in itself is not a bad thing. In life the only thing constant is change.

     

    • Odili, a member of Delta state PDP media and publicity campaign committee, wrote in from Asaba, Delta State.
  • Fire compounds N23b Delta IPP’s woes

    Fire compounds N23b Delta IPP’s woes

    When fire broke out Monday last week at the warehouse holding multi-million dollar equipment acquired for the N23 billion Independent Power Plant in Delta State, the rumour mill immediately went on overdrive mode. There were speculations of sabotage, even before the cause of the fire and extent of the damage had been ascertained.

    Before the incident, many indigenes of Delta State had been apprehensive that the project located in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area may become abandoned. The fear grew stronger as the May 29, 2015 terminal date of the Emmanuel Uduaghan administration drew nearer. Even top government officials conceded that it would be a sort of the “8th Wonder of the world” to deliver the project after the fire.

    The dream of an IPP to bridge the wide chasm between electricity demand and supply was mooted by Uduaghan shortly after he assumed office in 2007. To actualise the vision, the governor inaugurated the Delta Energy Generation Company Limited (DELGENCO) to develop multiple electricity generation plants across the state using the abundance gas, hydro and other renewable sources.

    Speaking at a session during the sensitisation period of the project, Uduaghan said the project was critical to his ambition to wean the state off its over dependence on oil revenue.

    He said: “Whatever development we are engaged in, if we don’t get the power sector right, then we can’t move forward.” onceived to be executed in phases, the target of the Oghara (Oghareki) IPP was just over 400MW, with the first phase that kicked off in 2010 aiming to achieve a quarter of that goal (100MW). It was to be delivered through two Rolls Royce Trent gas turbine generators.

    Five years on, the project is appearing a pipe-dream, at least to the people of the state who are yet to see and feel its impact even though the gas turbine and other paraphernalia of the project have been bought and mostly delivered. It was learnt that the plants and accessories arrived the country a long time ago. They were brought to the state and kept at a massive warehouse owned by Ibru Fishing Company in Oghareki, ostensibly to await the preparation of the site. It was that facility that was gutted by fire.

    Firstly, the project award process was not without its controversy and allegations of underhand dealings. It was awarded to DAVNOTCH Nigeria Limited, a company in which a powerful member of the Delta State House of Assembly, who later became Speaker and now ex-Speaker, Victor Ochei, admitted to having “substantial interest” for 14 years. He later said he “divested my entire interest on June 3, 2011,” over three years after the contract was ‘captured’ by the company. The damage to the reputation of the project was already done before Ochei stepped away from the company.

    There were several petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and at least one to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (dated April 20, 2010), and ethical questions were raised over the deal to DAVNOTCH, in which a key member of legislative arm of the government owned “substantial interests”. Prominent Deltans, including Ijaw leader and former Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, queried the morality of the deal. The controversial contract is one of the fulcrums on which the elder statesman based his opposition to Ochei’s ambition to succeed Uduaghan as governor.

    Also, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Sunny Amorighoye Mene, told our reporter that the contract smirks of insider trading, because of Ochei’s involvement in DAVNOTCH and his closeness to the governor, with whom he enjoyed a very good working relationship until his removal as Speaker in 2014.

    Some critics of the deal insinuated that the contract was used to ’empower’ the former Speaker (to ‘settle’ him) as part of the game plan for him to succeed the governor. The then Commissioner in charge of the supervising ministry, Comrade Ovouzorie Macaulay, was widely touted as the would-be running mate. Others said it was awarded as part of a deal for him to keep the House in check.

    “Whatever the purpose, there is no doubt that it amounted to bribery and corruption,” an NGO said.

    Besides, it was gathered that the choice of the power plant supplier did not go down well with a section of the State Executive Council. Sources at the Ministry of Energy, then headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovouzorie Macaulay told Niger Delta Report that they were not comfortable with the choice of Rolls Royce turbine because it was felt that it might not be as suitable to a tropical climate like Nigeria as other alternatives. A source, who was a key member of the think tank that started the project, said the ideal equipment would have been a similar module manufactured by General Electric (GE).

    Reacting to the allegations of lack of due process and his involvement in the deal, Ochei, during a news conference to clear the air in Asaba, the state capital on July 19, 2011, stated that DAVNOTCH clinched the contract in a transparent manner. He said the company proved itself in several other contracts, adding that it did not need his influence to win any contract.

    “In fact,” he said, “the entire process and contract sum were succinctly captured in the Delta State Government (DTSG) Due Process Journal of January-March Edition, 2010. Item 15 of the aforementioned document was specific on the nature; sum and expected delivery date of the contract.”

    The journal specified that the contract was for the supply and installation of two Rolls Royce Trent gas Turbine Generators for the Delta State Independent Power plant (IPP). It was awarded on June 23, 2009, to DAVNOTCH Nigeria Limited at the cost of N21,750,000,000″.

    However, the contract sum was reviewed shortly after the award to N23,207,826,566, in 2011. Reports of at least one more upward review could not be independently confirmed at the time of this report.

    Several attempts made last year by our reporter to get the company’s position and details on the contract and its current state were unsuccessful; officials were either not capable or refused to comment. An employee of the company simply referred to as Anazia, to whom the company’s telephone operator referred one of our inquiries, said the IPP was beyond his purview. Anazia, despite several proddings, insisted that only a member of the very top echelon of the company was competent to respond to our reporter’s inquiries on the matter. Several telephone calls to the company’s switchboard yielded no result as the ‘Director’ with such clearance and capability was always “not available” or “engaged.”

    Our independent investigations revealed that prior to the award of the contract, the company had no prior experience with a contract of that magnitude or track record in an IPP project. In fact, it was learnt that the only major ‘electricity’ projects the company had handled were the installation and maintenance of LED boards for signs and outdoor screens and installation of solar-panel street lights.

    DavNotch also had to fend off claims by those opposed to its handling of the deal that the award of the contract predates the existence of the company. Ochei described the assertion as “sheer lie!” maintaining: “The company was registered on July 4, 1997 and was 12 years old when it was awarded the contract in June 2009. In retrospect, DAVNOTCH Nigeria Limited won the contract because of its track record, integrity and enviable sense of corporate responsibility,” he insisted.

    Over five years after the award and nearly N20bn payment after, the site of the project remained almost as fallow and forlorn as it was when DAVNOTCH got the contract in 2009. The contract documents obtained by Niger Delta Report indicated that contract was for 24 months (two years) from the award date. The state government and company officials painstakingly clarified that the two year period was barely for the procurement of the gas turbine, which cannot be purchased off the shelf.

    The former Commissioner for Power and Energy, Mr Charles Emetulu, who succeeded Macaulay, in an interview with Niger Delta Report in Asaba, the state capital in August 2014 had assured that the project would be ready for inauguration before the end of last year.

    However, a top engineering consultant working with the state government told our reporter in confidence that the declaration by commissioner was not feasible and true to the doom prediction, a week after the end of the year, the facilities have been ravaged by fire. The feeling of the consultant was reechoed by Mr Moses Nwaokonye, an architect and civil engineer, who was involved in similar massive installation projects within and outside the region. Nwakonye said laymen might not understand the technicalities of installing the equipment.

    He said: “This kind of project is not as easy as you think. There are processes involved and it starts with site acquisition and possession taking of the site. Thereafter, you move to location preparation – bush clearing, scooping of the top soil (if that is necessary) and filling.

    “After that, you commence the preparation of the civil engineering job like preparation of foundation for the equipment that is coming in. All these require proper timing and precision because even the difference of a meter in the foundation can alter the entire process and lead to delay of several months.

    “Bearing the sheer size of some of the equipment, you cannot cast a foundation before the equipment is ready. When it is ready, you can’t just cast and mount the equipment, you need a curing period – that is the time needed for the foundation to settle and be ready to bear the weight. The curing period could be as much as three to six months,” he added.

    It is was against this backdrop of back and forth in the multibillion naira project that the latest fire incident elicited mixed, mostly negative, reactions from Deltans.

    Anazia refused to comment on the fire incident or respond to our inquiry to ascertain the decree of damage to the facility and how it could affect the project.

    “This is not something we don’t want to talk about in the press,” he said in a brief telephone chat with our reporter.

    The Commissioner for Special Duties, Pastor Powell Tos Ojogho, who spoke with our reporter from the scene of the fire, allayed fear of sabotage. “It was not sabotage; just a result of careless bush burning by somebody around the facility and the fire has been brought under control now,” he told our reporter.

    He explained that a similar fire, at about the same time, almost ravaged the multibillion state-of-the-art DELSU Teaching Hospital, adding that it was while fire fighters were dealing with that inferno that report about the fire at the IPP equipment at the Ibru warehouse, came to them.

    Speaking further, Powell disclosed that just some panels and other equipment were destroyed. He said the major plant was intact and untouched by the fire. He, however, refused to speculate on the cost of the destruction and effect on the delivery date of the IPP.

    “We were lucky that the power plant was not destroyed because the fire fighters were able to contain it. The indigenes of Oghara community who sighted the fire acted very quickly and helped to bring the fire under control; they must be commended for being good citizens. They acted very swiftly; some of them put their lives on the line by climbing to the top of some equipment to take off the trampoline that could have easily caught fire and laid our efforts and equipment to waste.”

    While lamenting the devastation, Powell, who was the first government official at the site, disclosed that the governor had been determined to inaugurate the facility before May 29.

    He said: “Everything is almost ready; as far as the bolts needed are on ground, the turbine is here and the site has been prepared.”

    The commissioner explained that the delay in completion and preparation of the site owed to the need to ensure that there was no mistake in the installation. He noted that it was important to get the specification to the minutest detail, assuring that there was no cause for concern.

    “The good thing, like I said earlier, is that it is just a few of the panels that were affected, at least from my initial observation. When the Commissioner for Energy assesses the situation, we will be able to know the full extent. But I can say without equivocation that it wasn’t sabotage, except those raising allegation of sabotage know something that we don’t.”

    Our visit to the site, our findings seemed to tally with the government’s view that the fire was likely caused by bushfire set by errant persons around the area. Indigenes of the area said the harmattan period was usually like that in the area because of the propensity for fire to escalate within a short time.

    Nevertheless Powell’s assertion and ascertaining the cause of the ill wind will neither provide comfort for Deltans who are eagerly awaiting the inauguration of the project nor will it assuage the government’s critics on the handling and pace of the project. And only time will tell the extent of the fire damage and when the IPP project will improve power supply in the state.

     

     

     

  • Clark’s daughter, students endorse APC in Delta

    Clark’s daughter, students endorse APC in Delta

    The granddaughter of the Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, Ighosotu Clark, was among tertiary students who campaigned for the All Progressive Congress candidate in Delta South Senatorial District yesterday.

    Ms Clark, an executive member of the National Association of Delta State Students, was also part of the team that paid a solidarity visit to the APC flag bearer, Prince Yemi Emiko, in Warri.

    Emiko is challenging Senator James Manager, an Ijaw from Bomadi area, who has been in the Senate since 2003.

    However, the leader of the student group, Comrade Bolokor Francis, said: “It is not the birthright of an individual or a particular tribe to represent the district for 12 years without proper accountability and transparency.

    “It will be another terrible mistake, if Nigeria students fold their hands and allow the ills of the society to continue.  That is why the students of the state are speaking in one voice and yearning for change and we believe that Prince Emiko and the APC can give us the change we need and deserve.”

    He said the decision to back the APC candidate was taken after a critical assessment of Emiko’s track record in the public service, especially in  Chevron  Nigeria Limited, where he had worked for over two decades.

    Emiko expressed joy that the students decided to endorse him without being lobbied by his campaign group. He said: “This is a clear testimony that there is still hope for this country,because what most students do these days is to ping and not concentrate on anything else.”

  • Tension in Delta community over suspected cultist’s death

    There was pandemonium at the weekend in Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, following the alleged killing of a man for suspected cult-related activities.

    The incident occurred at Obodogba Quarters after rival cult groups clashed over money-sharing.

    Okpanam is a suburb of Asaba, the Delta State capital.

    It was gathered that over 20 cultists used dangerous weapons, including battle axes, cutlasses, cudgels and knives, in the clash that led to the death of a cultist.

    Police spokesperson Celestina Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the victim died on the way to the hospital.

    She said one person had been arrested in connection with the incident.

    The spokesperson said the command would apprehend other fleeing cultists from their hideouts.

    Kalu urged the residents to remain calm and go about their lawful activities.

    An eyewitness said the deceased, who hailed from Abakiliki, the Ebonyi State capital, had been stabbed in the neck when his “cult group” clashed with another group in the town.

    It was learnt that trouble started when a member of the Baga cult, simply identified as Ozuronye, had his debts forgiven.

    But a rival cult, Two-Two,  ambushed Ozuronye and beat him up.

    An eyewitness said: “Obviously, Ozuronye went to mobilise his members for revenge. The groups met at Obodogba Quarters and unleashed violence.

    Some of them sustained severe injuries, including Ozuronye, who died on the way to hospital.”

    A source said the body of the deceased had been deposited at a hospital’s mortuary.

  • Christmas tragedy: Six die in fire, road accidents

    Christmas tragedy: Six die in fire, road accidents

    No fewer than six persons were feared dead in three Christmas day tragedies at Udu and Ahoada communities in Delta and Rivers states respectively.

    Three persons were burnt to death when fire gutted a ramshackle hotel located near the popular Jigbale Market around Orhumwonrun roundabout in Udu area of Delta State.

    Over 20 shops and property worth several millions of naira were destroyed in the inferno, which also ravaged a residential building located near the hotel used mostly by sex workers and itinerant traders.

    It was gathered that the fire started at about 11:45pm probably from an electrical connection in the red light facility, killing a couple and a young man in two separate rooms.

    When our reporter visited the scene, hundreds of traders and other victims of the disaster were seen milling around the burnt down shops. They were wailing and weeping over their losses.

    An eyewitness, Ms Tonia Semali said, “The fire started at about midnight. Nobody knows what caused it; but the shop owners who rushed down could barely rescue any of their wares.”

    Our reporter, who visited the scene on Boxing Day afternoon, reported that the three charred remains of the victims were removed by health officials from the Udu LG council at about 1:00pm.

    The bodies were scooped into three jute bags and evacuated from the scene in a Toyota Hiace bus painted in the official blue/white colours of the state’s taxis and buses.

    A council official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the victims were charred beyond recognition.

    “In normal circumstances, we would need DNA tests to ascertain their identities because as you can see, there is nothing to see from the mass of ash and burnt skulls.”

    In another tragedy, no fewer than two persons were confirmed dead in a fatal road accident which occurred between Mbiama and Okogbe communities of Ahoada West area of the East/West highway on Christmas day afternoon.

    An eyewitness account of the accident indicated that the accident involved a Toyota Venza and Honda Accord cars. The two vehicles, which were probably on top speed, were involved in  a head-on collision at about 3pm.

    The two young male victims were said to be riding on the Honda Accord car. Our source said they died on the spot, adding that their remains were still at the scene when he got there.

    “The driver and passengers in the Venza were seriously wounded and they had been taken to an unnamed hospital when we got to the scene.”

    Earlier on the eve of Christmas, it was learnt that an Itsekiri contractor to an indigenous oil services company, Nest Oil, allegedly fell into the river at Sapele, Delta State, during a routine operation to supply petroleum product to the company.

    An eyewitness, Akpoudje Olomaekugbe, said the remains of the victim (names withheld) was yet to be found at the time of this report on Boxing Day afternoon.

    He said, “One of our Itsekiri brother fell into the river this morning and till this moment his body is not yet found, him and some of our brothers bring fuel from Sapele to houseboats at Jones Creek.

    “As they were trying to move and position their boat there, he slipped and fell into the river. Till this moment they’re still searching for the body. What a sad news for his family this Xmas!”

     

  • Chaos in Delta PDP over primaries, name substitution

    Chaos in Delta PDP over primaries, name substitution

    The Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in disarray over the outcome of primaries for various offices, including the National and state assemblies.

    The choice of a running mate for the party’s governorship flag bearer, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, is also generating frictions among key players.

    It was learnt that the deputy governorship slot had been ceded to the Ijaw. This allegedly angered Isoko over their perceived relegation in the party’s affairs, particularly as the Ijaw had also got the senatorial slot through Senator James Manager.

    In Delta Central, the Urhobo are unhappy about the alleged directive of President Goodluck Jonathan that delegates should deliver Okowa, from Delta North, against Chief David Edevbia, who was Urhobo’s choice.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that although the primaries are over, winners are still anxious because of ongoing substitution of names by PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    It was gathered that the ticket of a candidate for the House of Representatives in Delta North had been “awarded” to one of the losers in the governorship primary, even though the beneficiary did not contest the December 6 primary.

    Also, it was learnt that House of Assembly Speaker Victor Ochei was angling for a senatorial seat as compensation, after coming third in the governorship primary.

    The December 9 contest for the Delta North senatorial ticket of the party was thrown into controversy, following the invasion of the venue by thugs allegedly working for one of the aspirants.

    A former PDP chairman in the state, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, who was the clear leader from the results of seven of the nine local government areas counted before the imbroglio, declared himself winner of the contest.

    He had warned that he would be forced to consider his “options” following alleged undue interference of the NWC and the national leadership of the PDP, which reportedly preferred Mrs Marian Ali, wife of the party’s former National Chairman, Dr Ahmadu Ali.

    Worried by the development, a leader of the party from the Delta Central Senatorial District and a former minister, who spoke in confidence, told our correspondent that there were concerns that the party could go into the next election in disarray.

    He said: “The cohesion and unity we have seen in Delta PDP over the past few years is now in tatters. We are in complete confusion, and this can play into the hands of the opposition in the presidential and other elections in the state.”

  • PDP’s wounded governors: What next?

    PDP’s wounded governors: What next?

    Governors of Adamawa, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu and the deputy governor of Sokoto states lost out in the power game that trailed the recently concluded PDP primaries. In this report, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu and Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, attempt to unveil the counter plots of the wounded governors

    Ebonyi: Elechi and the LP option

    EBONYI State governor, Martin Elechi, is unhappy. His sour mood stems from the outcome of the governorship primary election of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In spite of his open support for former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, as his preferred choice for the governorship candidate of the ruling party, party stakeholders, led by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, succeeded in truncating Chukwu’s emergence.

    The development no doubt left Elechi sulking and he has openly vowed to fight the injustice meted out to him by the PDP. Amidst news that he may have decided to dump the ruling PDP for the Labour Party with his supporters, the governor recently said he would remain in the PDP to fight the injustice meted out to him.

    He spoke at a town hall meeting at the Women Development Centre (WDC), Abakaliki. The governor told the people not to be disturbed about the rumoured impeachment plot against him by his estranged deputy, Chief Dave Umahi, who is now PDP’s governorship candidate, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chukwuma Nwazunku and their collaborators.

    A visibly angry Elechi rejected the candidature of Umahi and vowed to continue to reject all forms of injustice being perpetrated in the party by people he referred to as enemies of the people. According to him, he has been treated very badly by the party he so much loved.

     

    Supporters gone

    Although the governor says continually that he remains a member of the ruling PDP, observers of the politics of the state say he may be selling a dummy to the leadership of the party as his supporters recently defected to the Labour Party (LP) to realise their political ambitions.

    Reports say the defectors numbering about 600,000 joined the little known LP in the state to hold its primaries for governorship, National Assembly and state Assembly.

    Notable supporters, allies and political associates of the governor among the defectors included senator representing Ebonyi-North Senatorial District, Senator Chris Nwankwo, member representing Ezza South/Ikwo Federal Constituency, Chief Tobias Okwuru, the member representing Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Peter Oga-Ali, 13 members of Ebonyi State House of Assembly and Governor Elechi’s first son, Chief Elechi Elechi.

    Others were a business mogul, Chief Edward Nkwegu, the immediate past state chairman of PDP in the state, Chief Ugorji Amaoti, former House of Assembly leader, Ikechukwu Nwobo, Commissioner for Economic Empowerment, Chief James Aronweke and former Ikwo Local Government Area Chairman, Chief Celestine Igberi Nweme.

    Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Blaise Orji, former Abakaliki council chairman, Chief Mathew Uguru, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Celestine Nwali, the Commissioner for Education, Prince Ndubuisi Agbo, his agriculture counterpart, Romanus Nwasum, a former minister, Chief Goddy Ogbaga and a former bank Managing Director, Sam Agom-Eze, among others.

    “These people are the very nerve of Governor Elechi’s political family. With serving commissioners, federal and state legislators defecting to the LP alongside aides and allies of the governor, it would be foolhardy for anyone to believe Elechi’s song of still remaining in the ruling party. He’s gone for good. Don’t forget he has vowed to fight the injustice meted out to him. How else do you think he will fight?

    “Politically, the situation in Ebonyi, as we speak, is unpredictable. The people leaving for the LP are not pushovers politically. With the governor tacitly supporting them, you can be rest assured that PDP will find it tough at the general election,” Chidi Emordi, a legal practitioner and state co-coordinator of Access to Jusitce (AJ), told The Nation.

    The Nation also learnt that the defection of the governor’s people into Labour Party was actually planned and agreed upon by his entire political family following his inability to foist his preferred candidates on the party at the last primary elections of the PDP.

    “The movement to PDP is our response to the hijack of the PDP by a few Abuja-based money mongers who are bent on taking over the structure of the ruling party for their selfish ambitions.

    “How can any serious political party allow a seating governor to be so shabbily treated by people who cannot even win councillorship positions in their wards? We found out too late that a lot of dummies have been sold to the presidency by these same people. They are destroyers. They have nothing to offer the people of Ebonyi.

    “We cannot fold our hands and watch them destroy all we have laboured to do in eight years. We have the support of Governor Elechi and the people of the state in our decision to go to LP and pursue our political ambitions. Don’t forget that the governor’s son is here with us. We will deliver Ebonyi from these political traders in 2015,” a serving commissioner said.

    Trouble started for Elechi the moment he announced former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, as PDP’s candidate for the 2015 general election and his successor as the next governor of the state.

    The governor made this known during a meeting at the Government House, Abakaliki, which lasted over six hours with members of the state PDP caucus, lawmakers, stakeholders and youth leaders across the 13 local government areas of the state in attendance.

    Elechi, according to a source at the meeting, adopted Chukwu, after an in-depth search and therefore requested the ex-minister to make himself available for the governorship position in the 2015 general election as a consensus candidate.

    Confirming the adoption, the state Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Dr Chike Onwe, said the resolution reached was that all Abakaliki people should support the power shift arrangement in the interest of peace and mutual co-existence of the various sections of the state.

    According to feelers, the governor who chaired the meeting said zoning the governorship slot to the South was due to the immense contributions of late Dr. Akanu Ibiam in the state creation as he hailed from the area, Unwana Afikpo LGA of the state.

    But hardly had the announcement of Chukwu settled down that a battle for political supremacy between the governor and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, started with the later rejecting the choice of Chukwu.

    Soon, the PDP in the state was divided into two camps with Elechi and Anyim taking commands of the two warring factions. So vehement was the crisis that the national leadership of the party and the presidency intervened on a number of occasions.

    Elechi’s camp had the likes of Comrade Chinedu Ogar, Youth Leader of the state chapter of the PDP and the immediate past Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu. Scores of federal and state legislators, commissioners and local government chairmen, amongst other political office holders and state appointees, also lined up behind the governor.

    Those urging Anyim on include immediate past governor, Dr. Sam Egwu, deputy governor Dave Umahi, factional Speaker of the State Assembly, Mr. Chukwuma Nwazunku and former state PDP chairman, Ugorji Amaoti.

    The others include Amaoti’s erstwhile deputy, Joseph Onwe, some federal and state legislators and a few disillusioned members of the Elechi administration. But at the end of the gubernatorial primary election, David Umahi, Anyim’s candidate and Deputy Governor of the state, was declared winner.

    According to the result announced by the NWC of the party, Umahi defeated other candidates by polling 541 votes out of the 592 votes cast by the delegates. Elechi also lost his bid to get a senatorial ticket of the party. But Chukwu, alongside supporters and associates of Governor Martin Elechi, boycotted the primaries.

    Thus began the crisis that is now threatening to cost the ruling PDP its traditional stronghold of Ebonyi state should the governor make good his vow of fighting the injustice that has been meted out to him till the very last.

    “Nothing is certain as we speak. Should the governor support them, the crop of politicians that are daily trooping to the LP today in Ebonyi State can pull a surprise in 2015. And don’t forget that the governor’s son is with them in this struggle,” Emordi said.

  • Kefee’s Branama Kitchen for Delta

    After the death of Nigerian gospel singer, Kefee, there have been concerns over her music and “BranamaKitchen’’, which she established some years before her death.

    There were reports making the rounds shortly after her death that the Maryland office of her restaurant was under lock and key.

    But the husband of the late singer, Teddy Esosa Don Momoh, has explained that the business is still in existence.

    According to Teddy, his late wife’s kitchen is still in operation, but only for online clients.

    “Branama Kitchen is still going on, just that it is now operating online. The building itself has nobody but that does not mean it’s been closed, ‘’Momoh said.

    He added that people still called for delivery and catering services, and that he has not been available to oversee the affairs because of his busy schedule.

    Teddy said since his wife’s death, he has been trying to find his feet back and as a result, he would not be able to manage all her ideas.

    He also said he hoped to move “Branama Kitchen’’ to Delta State, where her family is, so that they could also help key into her vision.

    “I have been busy trying to get back on my feet. I don’t really have people to run the place, but “Branama Kitchen’’ will be relocating from Lagos to Delta because I want her parents to share in her dream, ” he said.

    The late singer died unexpectedly in the United States where she had gone to promote her career. Her death took the industry by storm. Her marriage to Momoh was her second. Her first marriage collapse due to irreconciliable differences.

     

  • Delta PDP’s mockery of the rule of law

    SIR: On December 8, SilverBird Television’s prime time news bulletin captured the outcome of the primary election conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for House of Representatives aspirants for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency. The station reported that the polling clerk identified as Barrister Jerome Ebo pronounced the exercise which started very late as inconclusive due to insufficient ballot papers. It further revealed that the votes already cast were taken to the police station for safe-keeping.

    However, the news making round mostly in the social media is that the exercise has been secretly concluded. The news is that the Presidency and the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have purportedly picked Hon Ndudi Elumelu as PDP’s candidate for the constituency. Elumelu, who is the current occupier of the seat, vacated the position, in line with the party’s directive, to vie for the party’s gubernatorial ticket at the just concluded primaries. He, alongside other contenders, lost the ticket to Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.

    Expectedly, the situation is now generating widespread social media condemnation for both the Presidency and the ruling party, PDP. Many commentators expressed fears that the situation if not amicably resolved by the appropriate quarters might affect the ruling party’s fortunes during the 2015 general elections. Hon Elumelu’s gubernatorial campaign materials are still visible in every nook and cranny of Delta State. One can easily deduce from the campaign strategies that his main desire in 2015, perhaps backed by the ‘Abuja-super-power,’ was to be the next occupant of Unity House, Asaba. Therefore, the moral questions which many political observers and social media commentators are asking are, when did Elumelu buy  PDP’s expression of interest form and was openly cleared within the party’s stipulated time to vie for the House of Reps ticket? What is the fate of the main contenders especially those who vacated their previous elective positions for the party’s House of Representatives primaries in Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency?

    The Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) consistently prides themselves as promoter of internal democracy and defender of the rule of law. They must strictly follow their laid down 2014 Electoral Guidelines for PDP’s Primary Elections which they equally stated conform with the provisions of the Party’s Constitution (2012 as amended), the Electoral Act, 2010 (as Amended) and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended).

    The purportedly arrangement to hand-pick Ndudi Elumelu as the party’s candidate for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency is highly undemocratic and a mockery of the rule of law.

    • Sunday Shorikwue

    Itire, Mushin, Lagos

  • Delta pineapple farmers plead for extension services

    The Umediunor Pineapple Farmers Co-operative Society in Umunede, Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State, has appealed to the government to provide extension services to its members.

    Its Chairman, Mr Fred Uwajeh, said they needed urgent education on modern techniques of farming for improved productivity.

    He said lack of education on modern farming innovations and practices was hampering their productivity.

    “Over the years, our members have relied on traditional farming methods to cultivate pineapple and this has contributed to the poor output of the farmers.

    “We want more knowledge to enhance our farming methods and improve productivity, most especially now that pineapple is on high demand.

    “If we can get better education on modern farming methods and have access to improved species of pineapple suckers, it will help us increase our productivity,” Uwajeh said.

    According to him, the society has been a major supplier of pineapples to consumers in Onitsha, Port-Harcourt, Benin and Warri.

    He said many of the farmers started pineapple farming on a small-scale, but had over the years, expanded their farms.

    “This cooperative society is a major supplier of pineapple to some major cities in the country. Many of us have between three and five pineapple farms.

    “After harvesting, we pull our resources together to transport the product to markets in Onitsha, Benin, Warri, PortHarcourt and other cities.

    “Pineapple farming is a major income earner and I believe that with better education and improved farming incentives, we can increase production and our market outreach,” he said.

    Uwajeh listed  some of the challenges facing commercial pineapple farming to include: pest attack and disease; bush burning; cost of transportation; preservation and lack of incentives.