–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA)- By Albert OGRAKA:
MANAGING Director/CEO of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Bashorun Askia Ogieh FCNA, CrFA, has described former Acting Governor, Late Rt. Hon. Prince Sam Obi as a statesman and a bastion of peace, who always put the people of Delta State first.
Bashorun Askia Ogieh, in a tearfully laden commiseration statement, recalled that: Sam and I were “known and addressed as Bolt and Nut.” The name we called ourselves, basically because of our chemistry which was topnotch, inseparable and complimentary to our individual goals. It was an enviable rapport that lasted till his last breath.
“At a time Delta State had to contend with a near crisis situation when the then Governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, was removed by Court of Appeal, it was Rt. Hon. Prince Sam Obi as Speaker of the House of Assembly that held forth, stabilised the polity and sustained the peace in the state.
“As Acting Governor from November 15, 2010, Prince Obi held our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), together, superintended the holding of a new gubernatorial election within three months and ensured that the party secured another resounding victory.
“That episode epitomizes the life and times of Prince Sam Obi. He was a loyal party man, he always put the people of Delta State first, and he was a statesman and a bastion of peace.
Indeed, the PDP in Delta State owes its stability to him for when it needed a hero, Prince Obi stood up to be counted.
“Under Chief James Ibori’s first tenure, when he was Chairman of Pointer Newspaper and I was Chairman of the Governing Council of Institute of Continuing Education and also as local government chairmen, with me as ALGON State Chairman, Sam and I were “known and addressed as Bolt and Nut.” The name we called ourselves, basically because of our chemistry which was topnotch, inseparable and complimentary to our individual goals. It was an enviable rapport that lasted till his last breath.
“That it never rains but pours has manifested again, and I am disconsolate. A skillful and passionate politician, my brother and friend has played his part and is gone to be with the Lord. His death is not just sad, it is numbing.
“On behalf of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), I commiserate with the royal family of Ute–Okpu, the Owa Kingdom, and the people of Delta State on the death of our former Acting Governor.
“May God grant his soul peace eternal.”
