DELTA 2015: WHO IS AFRAID OF OKOWA? As the 2015 governorship election is approaching, there is no doubt that the clamor to have the Delta North zone to produce the next governor is echoing all across the state but one thing remain unresolved. The PDP as the ruling party is on the driving seat and it seems likely that the party will produce the next governor as it is obvious that Delta electorates are not bothered with mass development but their personal satisfaction. While it is on record that Delta North, otherwise called Anioma have never produced a governor for the state, the Delta Central zone is still insisting that they want to reclaim power as they have been out of control for 8 years. The politics of Delta state is dicey but in all, the passion for change seems not to have enveloped the minds of the citizens as politics is still being played along ethnic lines in the state. In Anioma, there are over 15 aspirants already jostling for the position under the PDP banner and many more are still expected to join. However, based on the ground survey carried out, it is certain that just only one man among the numerous Anioma aspirants that can comfortably contest with other zones and likely come out a winner. It all depends on what the Anioma governorship agenda means to Aniomas but going by the facts on ground, only Senator Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa possesses the wherewithal to go into contest with any candidate the Urhobos will present and win handsomely. So the question now should be, Why are they sidetracking the man Okowa? Who is afraid of him? Taking AV-News deep down into what is foreseen as a major crisis in the PDP in the future, a top PDP official from Anioma who pleaded anonymity explained to AV-News that within the PDP structure, it is only Senator Okowa that can easily be sold to other Deltans without a loss. Okowa is said to have the structure and grassroot base to contest the governorship election but why some party officers do not like his face is unknown. Further dig into the puzzle has revealed that Gov Uduaghan and the state PDP Chairman, Barr Peter Nwaoboshi are about to collide over who takes the partys ticket. This expected collusion is based purely on personal interest. It is believed that Gov Uduaghan and few party chiefs from Delta Central and South are not comfortable having Senator Okowa as his successor and their fear is hinged on the fact that Senator Okowa has been found to live above board as no single misconduct or misappropriation of public fund is hanging on him, whereas, Barr Nwaoboshi is desirious to have Okowa as the next governor so as to pave way for him to become the senator representing Delta North. Our source informs that so far, there have been series of meetings going on to settle for the party flagbearer.. Another major factor playing out in the race is the position of some party members from Anioma who are also not comfortable with Senator Okowa. The principal grouse against the senator is a perceived Hidden agenda of the Senator as most of them allege that Senator Okowa is very tribalistic and that his government will only benefit his Owa Alero people. As the race continues to heat up, one very obvious fact is the resolution by the PDP to give its ticket to an Anioma person, however, what remains to be resolved is who among the numerous aspirants from Anioma that is chosen. Our source explained that the choice of Tony Obuh by Uduaghan was a tactical move to possible make Senator Okowa to back down his aspiration but as it is now, the Owa born politician is more determined to carry on with his ambition to occupy the Unity House, Abuja. There is no doubt that he remains the most qualified candidate but his enemies are not happy with him mostly for contesting the senatorial seat in 2011. Their anger is based on how resources and manpower were invested to make him win the seat because it was thought that he will be going for an 8 year tenure. It is a shock and disappointment to most of them that the senator could want to serve only a term in the senate as it is very unusual. However, the determination and resolve to go into the Unity house, Asaba has propelled the senator to quit the senate after just one term in order to pursue his ambition. The imminent danger in the PDP is the decision of the state to have another Anioma person as the candidate other than Senator Okowa who many believe possesses all it takes to succeed Gov Uduaghan. It is said that the plan to deny Okowa the opportunity of occupying the governors seat was hatched in 2007 soon after the primaries where he came second to the incumbent who was sponsored with state fund. PDP as a party understands the importance of Senator Okowa ,popularly called EKWUEME to them and the party would not in their dream wish that he defects to another party. Our source confirms that should Okowa move to another party today, he is most likely to win whoever the PDP produces as its candidate. It is believed that in Delta state today and with the crumbled Ogborus political empire that Senator Okowa commands the largest individual followers and this is one thing the PDP may not want to lose. While the negotiations and consultations continue, it is yet unclear on how the party will get the Senator to drop his ambition. In all, one thing is clear now that the 2 prominent leaders of the PDP are more after their own interest. The fear of what Okowa will do as he is said to be a man without a godfather is the principal reason, Uduaghan and some tainted politicians from Anioma and Delta South and Central are uncomfortable having him as the governor even though ,statistics shows he is the most qualified in the PDP, whereas, the selfish ambition of Barr Nwaoboshi to go to the senate is his principal reason for rooting for Okowa, knowing fully well that should Okowa be made to drop his governorship ambition that he may have to be compensated with the senate seat ,thereby denying himself (Nwaoboshi) the chance of occupying the position. In it all, Deltans are more likely to be the losers as they are not very keen on the quality of leadership that is presented to them for as long as they are giving peanuts to pacify their grumbling stomach. -AV-News
Posted on: Sat, 11 Oct 2014 11:30:50 +0000
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