-By Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza:

There is widespread excitement among the people of Delta State right now. The excitement has enveloped a good majority of the people in anticipation of what is really people’s moment come 2023. One man who has become a phenomenon is behind this exciting wind of anticipation. That man, the man of the moment and perhaps for all times is Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, present speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and the Delta State Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s longest-surviving and most resilient political party ever, Africa’s largest political party and most pro-people organization. 

Rt. Hon. Oborevwori did not emerge by happenstance. He has been on the political scene and undergone tutelage under three Governors in Delta State. He also has the rare privilege of legislative and executive experience and has over the years seen politics as a tool for constructively reshaping humanity and making life better for the people. This vision has not only evolved, but has become concrete as seen in his emergence as the PDP Governorship candidate of Delta State at a free and fair primary election. 

Evolving with this man of destiny is the concept known as Sheriffication which has become an ideology and a movement in Delta State. Anywhere, everywhere and wherever you turn the agreement among the people, young and old, men and women is that Delta State has been Sheriffied. To be Sheriffied is to believe and embrace the idea of Sheriff Oborevwori becoming Governor of Delta State in 2023 and the concept is Sheriffication. 

While the majority of Deltans hailed Oborevwori’s entry into the Governorship race with excitement, a small clique was displeased with what they considered Oborevwori’s near underprivileged background. This clique tried to discredit Oborevwori. They cast aspersions on him and questioned his academic achievements. 

There were litigations intended to undo him and thwart the wish of the people for him to become their Governor. Good enough the litigations failed and the people’s desire to have Oborevwori as their Governor is gathering momentum. In a few months from now, the people will affirm him as the Governor of Delta State through the ballot. They will witness and celebrate his swearing-in and inauguration as Governor in May 2023.

The emergence of Oborevwori has a populist push to it. He came from among the people in every sense of the word. While some say that he came from the streets, they forget to see the streets as representing the true and real essence of the people. The street is where the people are and democracy is about the people. 

The streets see Oborevwori as their own and he is very high on street credibility. He was born among the people, he grew up among them, lives with them and he knows their ways, their problems, their hopes, and aspirations. In him are the strategies with which to free the people from want, lack and set them on a pedestal for the new deal he is bringing to the table. Oborevwori is undoubtedly the ideal people’s politician and leader. His populist ideas and goals are unquestionably remarkable and unsurpassable. 

The new deal Oborevwori is offering to Deltans is embodied in his manifesto aptly titled M.O.R.E. The acronym is symbolic because it recognizes that so much has been done in Delta State, but he is set to do MORE and take the State and people to the frontiers of the emergent New World order. The driving indices of MORE are Meaningful development, Opportunities for all, Realistic reforms, and Enhanced peace and security. Reading and evaluating the MORE agenda will reveal that Oborevwori has a deep understanding of what the development aspirations of Delta State are. Every Nation, every State is a work in progress always confronted by problems which right-thinking leaders who bear the burden of their people, like Oborevwori now does, are always desirous of remedying. The manifesto depicts Oborevwori as highly pro-people. MORE is the people’s agenda and in it, Oborevwori enunciates a new deal that will turn the State around for good.

The MORE agenda seeks to reposition Delta State and her people by engaging the core indices of modern development. Such indices under Meaningful development include education, energy, healthcare, physical infrastructure such as roads, transportation, housing, and new cities, rural development, urban regeneration, etc. The foci under Opportunities for all are employment and wealth creation, agricultural productivity, industrialization, ICT, sports, and creative enterprise. Realistic reforms will harness policies and programmes of Government for the good of the people, while peace and security will create an enabling environment for investment and social co-existence for all Deltans and other Nigerians and foreigners. Oborevwori deliberately deemphasizes the reliance on crude oil in articulating his development agenda. His dream of greatness and rebirth for Delta rests on her human capital and agricultural resources which are to be galvanized by education, energy, ICT, and industrialization. 

Rt. Hon. Oborevwori, despite the tendency for political opponents to undermine his educational attainments, holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees in Political Science from two of Nigeria’s prestigious Universities. Thus Oborevwori is well-grounded in the theory and practice of politics. Besides his towering educational attainments, Oborevwori has also undergone political leadership and managerial trainings in some of the best educational institutions in the world to reinforce his hands-on engagement in practical politics. 

The truth is that all of those who undermine Oborevwori lack his capacity in every imaginable parameter. Among the qualification and experience reinforcing his competence and capacity are: Certificate in Top Executive Leadership Programme, Manchester Business School, United Kingdom; Certificate in Legislative Framework for Budget Management, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, United States of America; Certificate in Legislative Management and Leadership, International Law Institute, Washington DC, United States of America; Certificate in Leading Inclusive Development, London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom; Certificate in Advanced Leadership Programme, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; among others. 

It is doubtful if any other Nigerian politician has such a formidable attainment in the acquisition of knowledge of modern governance. This is the cumulative knowledge and experience that proposed the new deal for Delta State and her people. The new deal is in MORE as envisioned and articulated by Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

© Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza is the Deputy Director, Media and Publicity Committee, Delta State PDP Campaign Council.

-By Dr Kingsley Emu:

The All Progressives Congress (APC) rally that took place in Warri has more than anything else spelt the end of the road politically for the APC in Delta State and to a very large extent in Nigeria. A few days to the rally, there were no telltale signs that such an event was going to hold. There was no fanfare of any kind and party members were indifferent and those close to the Delta State APC governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege were not even sure if the party’s presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was going to attend. The governorship candidate, Senator Omo-Agege was also not sure. He painfully remembered how a few weeks ago, he and others waited endlessly for Tinubu who never showed up to their embarrassment. Agege was distraught and he confided in a handful of close supporters that should he lose the governorship election, he would be returning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) his real party. He told his listeners that he was glad that his running mate, Hon. Friday Osanebi was also of the PDP stock. Agege then told them the story of how Tinubu abandoned him in his earlier quest to be governor of Delta State in 2011. 

Having made so much noise abusing Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the Delta State Governor and making so much hype about his own political prowess, Agege was now confronted with the reality of failure. He called and begged other party leaders nationwide for them to prevail on Tinubu to attend the Warri rally. His other headache was how to get Deltans to attend the rally. Information reaching him indicated that the people were not keen on attending the rally. He panicked and in desperation it was agreed that people should be heavily induced monetarily for them to attend. That was why Agege and his followers had to dole out money to ensure that people are mobilized form beyond Delta State in order to give an impression of a well attended rally. Buses and huge amounts of money were sent to every ward in Delta State. They sent words, buses and money to neighbouring states in order for them to hold a rally with the false impression of a big event.

Those who observed what happened at the rally would have seen the many disconnects that showed that the APC has reached a political dead end in Delta State.  Party leaders were absent. The only party leader from Delta Central prominent at the rally was Agege. The notable leader from Delta South at the rally was Agege. The political heavyweight of the party from Delta North was Agege. Those who spoke; Tinubu, Agege, Oshiomhole, etc, had nothing new to say other than to abuse Governor Okowa and the PDP. Tinubu who has become a slurring human contraption castigated Governor Okowa and abused Warri. He pointed at Lagos as a place that has benefitted from development. Oshiomhole, expired labour leader, disgraced former APC chairman and humiliated noisy ex-governor of Edo State also took a swipe at Governor Okowa and the PDP. He tried to compare Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to Governor Okowa. Agege also spoke and called Governor Okowa a Judas Iscariot. The three men could only resort to abuse and name calling. They couldn’t tell the people gathered at the stadium what they will do for Delta State.

Now back to what the three men said about Governor Okowa and Delta State. Tinubu making reference to Lagos as an example of development is laughable. The humungous amount of money available to Lagos annually would transform the whole of Nigeria if well managed. And Tinubu should tell the world how much of Lagos money he collects monthly as the godfather. Tinubu’s idea of Lagos is restricted to a few places that the government of Nigeria built up many years ago. Lagos is not only about Ikoyi, Victoria Island and other such lush locations. Tinubu’s Lagos is the world’s dirtiest city. Tinubu’s Lagos is the capital of disorder and crime. Tinubu’s Lagos is home to squalor and over 17 million of the city’s 20 million people live in grinding poverty without portable water to drink. Tinubu’s Lagos is a frustrating city without roads befitting its size and revenue accruing to it. So, who is Tinubu deceiving?

Oshiomhole, faded and down, saw the Warri rally as an opportunity to talk, but he did so without thinking as usual. He compared Rivers State with Delta State pointing at infrastructure. Oshiomhole in his thoughtless ignorance didn’t know that Delta State is a multi-ethnic State with the highest number of urban centers in Nigeria. Delta State has about thirty urban centers where government’s development strides are seen. Unlike other states where governors focus on just the State capital, development is evenly spread in Delta State. Every rural community in Delta State is feeling government presence. Delta State has the highest number of state universities in Nigeria. The State has the highest number of functional hospitals in Nigeria. Delta in the last seven years has constructed about 1900 kilometers of roads the highest by any state government in Nigeria. So, what is Oshiomhole talking about?

Agege couldn’t tell the rally what his agenda is. Rather he took to his new hobby of abusing Governor Okowa. He called him a Judas Iscariot and asked him to step down from his vice presidential ticket. Should Agege call somebody a Judas? Agege who betrayed the whole of Southern Nigeria by working and voting for the candidacy of Alhaji Lawan, the Senate President at APC’s Presidential Convention? Agege who betrayed his greatest political benefactor, Great Ogboru? Agege who betrayed his old benefactor James Ibori by leaking sensitive documents? Agege who betrayed his Urhobo people in 2007 when they chose to vote for Ogboru? Agege who betrayed his Orogun people by extorting project contractors and chasing them away? Agege who stalled the execution of forty-eight projects in Orogun? Haba, those who live in glass house should not throw stones.

Agege’s heart is guilt laden. When Tinubu called his name and handed him the flag, he was neither happy nor able to laugh. He smiled weakly and tiredly raised his fists like a beaten boxer. Deep down in him he knew the end of the road is near. The crowd at the rally was also not enthusiastic. They didn’t wholeheartedly applaud Tinubu or Agege. Deltans know that the APC is alien and there is no room for it. They have long resolved that it is PDP, Atiku/Okowa and Oborevwori/Onyeme. When Tinubu said that Delta State was not an ATM for migratory politicians, he was unknowing hitting Agege hard because he is the most migratory of Delta State politicians. From PDP to AC to RPN to ACN to PDP to Labour Party to APC, no other Deltan has this unenviable history of political prostitution. This is the end of the road for him politically.

Dr. Kingsley Emu, a renowned politician writes from Asaba, Delta State.

-By Albert OGRAKA:

Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun Askia Ogieh, has commended the enthusiasm demonstrated by the people during the flag-off of the Delta South PDP ward to ward campaign on Monday.

The Delta South PDP leader referred to the exercise as an Exciting Day One At Delta South PDP Ward To Ward Campaign.

According to him, “I am so pleased with the turnout of PDP faithful and members, indigenes and non-indigenes, of Obodo/Omadino/Ubeji; Ogunu/Ekurode Urhobo; Ugbunwange and Warri GRA communities, as we flagged off the Delta South PDP ward to ward campaign this Monday.

“The enthusiasm demonstrated by the people assures that they appreciate the efforts of the State Governor, His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and that of DESOPADEC, in the delivery of infrastructural and social development to their communities.

“The prosperity and progress of our people is our priority and we are confident that, acting in common purpose, we shall achieve MORE.”

Chairman of Isoko North Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Mike Ogwah has explained why the body is yet to take off with its assignment.

According to him, the campaign council deliberately delayed its take off in order to accommodate interests of aspirants who failed in the primary election and were recently coopted fully into the leadership of the party.

Hon Ogwah dropped the hint at an enlarged meeting of the campaign council, which included coordinators of the various wards that took place at Owhelogbo in Isoko North Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State.

The chairman’s explanation is contained in a statement signed by Comrade Felix Ofou, Director of Media and Publicity of the campaign council, which also indicated the final take off the assignment given to it by the party.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the campaign council asked the coordinators to continue the house to house campaign in their wards ahead of the senatorial campaign expected to kick off soon.

Ogwah restated the party’s resolve to ensure victory for all its candidates in the 2023 general elections, in particular, Hon Bernard Odior for House of Assembly and Engineer Jonathan Ukodhiko for the House of Representatives in Abuja.

“We cannot afford to lose any of our candidates in next year’s elections. The Atiku/Okowa project is a divine mandate. Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori is already in the hands of God. Likewise Hon Mike Diden (Ejele). But we must not forget that Odior and Ukodhiko also part of project. It is 5/5 all the way” he declared

From Sunny DAVIDS/Awka:

It has been confirmed that four persons have been feared dead following an explosion at the Chemical Market in Onitsha Local Government Area of Anambra State on Tuesday and the market closed down on Wednesday.

Twelve persons were also said to have sustained various degrees of injury, with goods and properties worth millions of naira destroyed during the inferno.

Our correspondent gathered that after the explosion occurred at about 12:45 pm, a stampede ensued at the market as traders fled to safety.

According to eyewitnesses, traders opened their shops for their daily business activities when a loud explosion, like a bomb blast, was heard. Thick smoke was said to be coming from many shops and pandemonium ensued as the chemical products are highly inflammable.

When contacted via the telephone, the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, said the casualty figure was yet to be ascertained.

The Police Spokesman said there were reports that more people have been killed, but he has not been properly briefed on the incident.

However, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP John Ogbodoaga, has taken charge of the area and the fire service team was also on the ground.

Similarly, Policemen from the Fegge Divisional Police Station led by CSP Rabiu Garuba, were deployed to the market to guarantee the security of goods and other properties belonging to the traders

The Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Delta State on Wednesday slammed Deputy President of the Senate and All Progressives Congress APC Governorship candidate in the state, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, over comments threatening to terminate Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s Vice-Presidential ambition.

In a statement by the Chairman Media and Publicity Committee of the PDP Campaign Council in Delta, Chief Emman Amgbaduba, the party said Omo-Agege lacked powers to stop Okowa’s vice-presidential bid.

Amgbaduba, who is Commissioner for Oil and Gas in the state, said that Omo-Agege’s verbal attacks on Okowa were the last kick of a dying horse, adding that the PDP would retire him from politics in 2023.

He said that it was numb for the DSP to have made allusions of a third term agenda by Governor Okowa, and described it as mischievous propagation by the APC governorship candidate.

“We have watched Omo-Agege boasting about terminating Okowa’s Vice-Presidential ambition and also accusing him of having a third term agenda.

“First, Okowa has no such agenda as the PDP has a well respected governorship candidate in the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori.

“Instead of Omo-Agege to tell Deltans about his agenda for the development of the state, he goes about boasting about how he will terminate Okowa’s ambition to become vice-president.

“The last time I checked, Okowa isn’t in the ballot with him for the Delta guber race and let me make it clear to him that PDP with the support of the people will teach him a political lesson in 2023.

“We will help him retire to his Orogun village were he channeled the little projects and institutions he managed to attract to his Senatorial District,” Amgbaduba said.

He said Omo-Agege who supported Senate President, Ahmed Lawan for President cannot do a volte-face to accuse Okowa of betraying Southern Nigeria.

“Okowa didn’t betray anybody, the party threw its ticket open and a Northerner in Atiku Abubakar won the ticket and constitutionally a Vice presidential candidate must emerge from the South and Okowa was found worthy after careful evaluation by the candidate and the party.

“Rather than rejoice with Okowa and put political sentiments aside to ensure that a Deltan emerged Vice-President in 2023, he is busy lying to Deltans about an alleged betrayal that never existed,” he stated.

He called on party faithful and Deltans to disregard Omo-Agege’s phantom lies and support the PDP to rescue, reset and rebuild the country from the deep valley the APC had led the country into.