The local government financial autonomy bill passed since March 2022 has survived plans to make it not to see the light of the day by series of litigations which was put paid by a landmark decision of the Supreme Court yesterday the 11th day of July 2024.
This epoch-making evolution of the “common” people’s government at the grassroots into a financially autonomous entity marks the end of the clandestine posture of local government with respect to their former paymaster the state government.
This development would without doubt deepen our democracy at local government level and make the council positions more competitive and participatory. The financial autonomy bill awarded to local governments holds better promises and a beacons of hope for people at the grassroots in view of a more impactful and prosperous democratic government where citizens would have a deep sense of belonging and leaders more accountable.
Nevertheless, accountability comes with responsibility and in this case financial responsibility. As the rider right put, a child who grows a big tooth must grow longer lips to cover it. That is to say, the local government Chairmen have just weaned off the State Governors and it now behoves on them to see that local communities develop with little or no recourse to state or federal government. The people are now aware that they would hold the local government chairmen responsible and accountable for under-development or otherwise in the dispensation of democratic dividends.
The President, reacting to the Supreme Court verdict, praised the bravery of the apex court above the whims and caprises of some state players who wanted to strangulate the bill, adding that the onus is now on local council chairmen to ensure that the broad spectrum of Nigerians living at that level are satisfied that they are benefitting from people-oriented service delivery.
President Bola Tinubu welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria affirming the spirit, intent, and purpose of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the statutory rights of local governments. The President further stated that a fundamental challenge to the nation’s advancement over the years has been ineffective local government administration, as governance at the critical cellular level of socio-political configuration is nearly absent.
This monster has just been defeated, and we look forward to seeing how the local government chairmen would evolve and brace up to the challenge of financial responsibility.
Stakeholders from the three Federal Constituencies of Delta North Senatorial District, have backed the proposed bill seeking for creation of Anioma state.
The stakeholders declared the total support yesterday in Asaba, at an interactive session to enlighten the public comprised of community representatives, civil society organizations, journalists and other interest groups on the creation of Anioma State from the territory of the present Delta State.
Ned Nwoko
Speaking at the interactive session, the National Coordinator of Ukpe Anioma, Chief Alex Ikpeazu, represented by the Ebubedike of Igbodo Kingdom, Chief Fred Obuseh, Ugo Anioma Movement, former Dean of Novena University, Ogume, Delta, Dr. Godwin Ossai, former Delta State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Tourism, Hon. Dan Okenyi including others expressed a form of appreciation to Senator Ned Nwoko for resurrecting the issue of Anioma state which had been in abeyance for decades since the time of Dennis Osadebey. Noting that it was kind of put to rest when Delta State was created, and not that it was totally forgotten.
While saying that there was no doubt that people of Delta North were in position to benefit from the creation of Anioma State, the interactive session admitted that, similarly, the people from Delta central and South were also in position to benefit from its creation because what use to come as one package would now be two packages with all the dividends that come from it.
In their separate positions on the viability and size of the geographical areas, Senior Special Assistant to Senator Ned Nwoko, High Chief Ugo Asibelua, Convener of Ugo Anioma Movement, Apostle Victor Sorokwu and renowned academic, Dr. Godwin Ossai aligned with the notion that Anioma has the landmass, the population, we have the intellectual capabilities to drive the economy, human and physical resources to become a viable State. And there is a general acceptance of its creation.
While cautioning that having the State created was better than expressing fear of marginalisation from the core South Easterners, Dr. Ossai appealed to the media and evey other persons to help disseminate and build consensus, truth, and commitment among the constituents of Delta-North’s to manage emerging distractions.
He noted that the whole purpose of state creation was to bring the government closer to to the people. insisting that there was need for it, there was benefit for having Anioma State.
“Let’s face the more controversial aspect of it, and that’s the State to be in South-East zone. We have to be pragmatic about it, you can’t say because we don’t want to be in South-East, therefore, we can’t have Anioma State.
“For those who have strong feeling against it being in South East, it is not a South-East government, it is a zone and not even constitutional but just for political convenience arrangement to help to bring people together to collaborate.”
In his contributions, Hon. Chief Dan Okenyi noted that the agitation for the creation of Anioma state dated back many years ago, then, as a movement, that it was disappointing to hear certain persons kicking against its creation.
He stated that he was pained to hear people agitating against the creation of Anioma state, that the State they were asking was for the nine Local Government Areas in Delta-North and no other town or community in the South-East is to be added to the proposed Anioma State.
Okenyi disclosed that the two Senators from Delta-South and Delta-Central senatorial districts are supporting the creation of Anioma State.
“This agitation is not about Senator Ned Nwoko; yes, it is true that God is using him to champion the project.” He added.
Concluding, the Convener of the stakeholders interactive session on the creation of Anioma State, Apostle Victor Sorokwu, hinted that the agitation for Anioma State dates back to the period of regional government in the country and should not be seen as an embodiment of one man.
The continued fiddling and meddling politics that have greeted the bold and visionary advocacy of Senator Ned Nwoko to resuscitate the creation of Anioma State as the sixth state of the South East region of Nigeria, aptly reminds me of the Bible story of Joseph and his envious brothers.
Joseph, the dreamer’s narrative in the Holy Book depicts the cruelty and wickedness that accompany envy and jealousy if not nipped at conception.
Ned Nwoko
The story of Joseph teaches us to emulate Jacob, the patriarch, who rather resorted to watch and pray for his bosom son, who manifested unusual, extraordinary potentials.
Jacob knew Joseph was a rare, unusual seed and made him a coat of many colours. But his other children regarded the dreamer as an unduly favoured child, who deployed sublime antics to deliberately overreach himself, simply to endear himself to their patriach.
They envied him. “We must stop him before he positions himself to receive the preeminent Abrahamic blessing and inheritance from our father, Israel and take ALL GLORY to himself”, they seemed to stir up one another in whiff of jealousy.
So they convoked the first household coven of wickedness to kill their brother, the dreamer and exterminate the divine plan of God for the deliverance of the entire Israel from annihilation.
They sold the dreamer to their enemies and hid the plot from their father. Yet, the Will of God eventually prevailed. Joseph became Prime Minister in Egypt and saved the band of wizards called his brethren, their households and entire Israel.
Let’s even assume that Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North at the Red Chamber is fantasising with the dream of the creation of Anioma State. What then is wrong with such glorious dream!? After all, the entire Anioma people have been dreaming and hoping that the dream come true. Indeed, the greatest acts of humanity, inventions, adventures and quest of men came as films of dreamy imaginations.
Apostle Victor Sorokwu
But the quest for the creation of Anioma State is not just a dream by Senator Ned Nwoko, but the life long aspiration of the forebears of the Anioma ethnic nationality who had risen to redefine their socio-cultural and political existence, in the midst of a heterogeneous geopolitical setting called Nigeria.
How old could have Ned Nwoko, nay his detractors been when Anioma was conceived and the agitation for its creation as a state in the Nigerian federation? I read one of his critics concede that the agitation for the creation of Anioma State was conceived many decades ago by very illustrious sons and daughters of Aniocha (A), Ndokwa (N), Ika (I) and Oshimili (O) – A-N-I-O…MA.
The clamour predated the creation of Midwest, Bendel and Delta states. Historically, the agitation grew during the colonial Western region of Nigeria. So one begins to wonder why the angst against Ned.
Some described the move by Senator Ned Nwoko as opportunistic, and at best a political stunt. Others regarded the renewed Anioma State advocacy as premature, ill-timed and lacking in consensus building.
In fact, I was reeked by amusement when one said his permission was not sought before his image in a group photograph was published in the media in respect of the Anioma State creation saga. How pedestrian, petty and politically mischievous could such arguments be coming from so-called politicians, who claim to have the interests of Anioma nation at heart.
Particularly, those of them whose history, origin and ancestry is infinitely rooted in Nri, the cradle of Igbo race. Unarguably, over 70 percent of Anioma communities could trace their origin and ancestry to Igbo cradle. Tradition, culture, language, native names and identifications, socialisation and civilisation are virtually the same.
What other form of consultation is required for a dream and age-long agitation, whose time has come? What other ‘dignified’ stakeholder should be notified before a well-positioned player in a very decisive match score an all-time historic goal?
Anioma adage renders thus: ‘that an elder does not prepare and serve a meal for a young guest to query what ingredients were used in making the soup’.
The progenitors of the Anioma State were revered personalities such like Chief Dennis Osadebay, Sen. Nosike Ikpo, Ambassador Raph Uwechue (one-time leader of Ohaneze-Ndigbo), Chief Humphrey Iwerebor, Prof. B.I.C Ijeomah, Prof. Chike Edozien the Asagba of Asaba, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor the Obi of Owa; all our royal fathers, and a host of eminent captains of industry, timber and calibre.
These revered Anioma icons had finished the necessary consultations across the federation of ethnic nationalities called Nigeria. No, not Ned or any politician today could have been able to engage the deep, wide far reaching consultations done by these Anioma sages.
All I can decipher from the persisting hues and cries against Ned Nwoko’s resuscitation of the Anioma state is calculated, orchestrated distraction, borne of seething envy and jealousy.
On the issue that the Aniomas do not share socio-political affinity with the Igbos of the South East is simply a jaundiced and bereaved posture. How flat and forlorn could such argument be!?
In the last presidential election, an illustrious Anioma son, immediate past governor and the vice presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, was principally nominated by his party with the clear understanding that he consummately represents the entire Igbo political interests; including the South East. In fact, he campaigned vigorously with the sentiment of being an Igbo man.
Interestingly, another preferred Igbo presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, won overwhelmingly across the units, communities and wards in Anioma geopolitical area (referred to as Delta North District).
It is baffling that the Igbos domiciled in the core South East, who are also clamouring for the creation of two additional states in the South East – Orlu and Orashi – are not the ones complaining. From their body language, whatever could be done to remedy the marginalisation and imbalance meted to the South East of Nigeria should be welcomed.
It becomes worrisome therefore for some folks among Anioma people to find fault with Ned Nwoko’s eagle foresight to lobby his kith and kin at the National Assembly to allow the creation of the long sought Anioma State to add up for the South East to attain an equitable number of states in each region of the Nigerian federation.
Ned – a similitude of Joseph, an offspring seed of the promise made by God to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – simply caught the vision for the creation of Anioma State, which was passed down by generations of Anioma ancestors and he cannot be wrong to seek every legitimate avenue and opportunity to actualise the dream.
Every true son and daughter of Anioma should support Senator Ned Nwoko for daring to actualise the dream of the birth of Anioma state now.
This is indeed the nick of time to renew the advocacy to redress a bedridden agitation, which would not only address the socio-cultural and political crisis of identity the Anioma ethnic nationality is grappling with for ages.
The actualisation of the Anioma dream would as well assuage the age-long marginalisation meted on the South East, giving impetus to agitations for self-determination in the region.#
In a bid to ensure that there is effective coordination and seamless discharge of the responsibilities before them, the Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, is to hold strategic leadership retreat for his legislative aides.
The strategic leadership retreat scheduled to hold on Monday, 15th July, 2024, at Emede Town Hall , Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State, will kickoff by 8 am prompt.
This is contained in a statement issued by Michael Emumena Paul,
Senior Special Adviser
(Medi, Publicity/Information & National Orientation) to Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, and made available to newsmen.
It added that Senator Joel-Onowakpo has also made some appointments in line with his campaign promises to run an inclusive representation, adding that he will continue to carry his constituents along in the discharge of the responsibilities before him.
According to the statement, “As part of the fulfilment of his electoral promises to carry all interests along and in a bid to give a sense of belonging to constituents of Delta South Senatorial District who laboured tirelessly for the emergence of the current federal government, the Distinguished Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, has graciously approved the appointment of the following constituents as Aides to assist his office to serve Delta South judiciously. ”
The lis of the appointees was published on pages 22 and 23 of Vanguard Newspaper of Thursday, July 11, 2024,, edition.
Senator Joel-Onowakpo said the strategic leadership retreat is to bring the egg heads he has assembled to help deliver on his campaign promises and ensure that no part of his constituency was left out in his robust plan.
He seized the opportunity to thank the people of Delta South Senatorial District in particularly and Deltans in general for their support and encouragement since he was elected into the 10th National Assembly, which according to him has contributed in no small measure to the successes he has recorded so far.
With its crystal objectives, EKU Broadcasting Company Ltd (EBC) is committed to transforming the broadcasting landscape by delivering an unmatched and captivating listening experience through its stations: EKU FM, Gravitas FM, and Indigo FM. EBC is to be the leading source of diverse and highquality content that caters to a wide range of audiences . EBC is dedicated to providing unique programming that entertains, informs, and enriches listeners’ lives. Her goal is to establish a platform that encourages community engagement, celebrates cultural diversity, and sets a new benchmark for excellence in broadcasting.
Eku FM
Target Audience:
EBC’s inclusive approach targets a global audience, encompassing men, women, youths and educational backgrounds. Its reach extends beyond Nigeria, engaging international listeners passionate about diverse content. EBC is designed to resonate with preferences in Nigeria and globally thus appealing to a broad spectrum of interests. Its programming attracts locals, multicultural communities, and anyone seeking a connection to African culture and global perspectives through music, talk shows, and news. EBC aims to bridge cultures and deliver a world of information and entertainment to your doorstep.
EBC Chairman- Mohammed Edewor
Unique Offerings:
Listeners can expect a mix of music genres, talk shows, news segments, interviews, and live events, all presented in a branded style of programming. Eku 91.1FM is committed to offering a varied and high-quality lineup that keeps the audience entertained and informed.
The Inspiration Behind EBC:
The launch of the radio arms of Eku Broadcasting Company was inspired by a passion for providing a diverse and engaging listening experience. EBC Stations aims to fill a perceived gap in the market for quality content with unique programming that enhances the listening experience. A New Era of Broadcasting in Delta State : EBC Broadcasting Company is a new era of broadcasting in Delta State, comprising Eku FM (English Presentation Style) Gravitas FM (Pidgin Presentation Style) Indigo FM (Basically Sports with match-up presentation style) and TV9. EBC is set to revolutionize the broadcasting landscape in Delta State. Under the leadership of the indefatigable exquisite Chairman , Mohammed Edewor, EBC promises to deliver unparalleled content and an engaging listening experience.
EBC Chairman- Mohammed Edewor
The Chairman- Mohammed Edewor:
Mohammed Edewor, the visionary chairman of EBC, hails from the Eku community in the Ethiope East local government area of Delta State. Born into the prominent family of the late Chief James Ogboko Edewor, the Obaisi of Urhobo land, Edewor’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. A devout Muslim, Edewor is a legal practitioner behind the law firm, ‘Edewor and Co’, domiciled in Lagos. Edewor’s passion for sports and broadcasting has driven him to establish Eku Broadcasting Company Ltd ( EBC), a testament to his dedication to quality content and community engagement. Multitalented in law, telecommunications, sports and in recent , media broadcasting, Edewor is set to distinguish EBC as it premiers digitized FM Stations.
Leadership of Ms. Dew Jemima Wilson:
EBC Group General Manager. Dew Jemima Wilson
The Group General Manager of EBC, Ms. Dew Jemima Wilson, is a simple, kindhearted media intellectual who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the station. A journalist and two-time Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ ) DBS Asaba chapel secretary, Jemima is the past acting chairman of the NUJ DBS Asaba. A prolific electronic broadcaster, an Associate Registered Practitioner of ARCON, a member of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, a member of the NIPR Delta State and the immediate past General Manager of Mega FM Warri. Her leadership ensures that EBC will thrive and provide exceptional content to its listeners.
Commitment to Quality:
As EBC moves forward on its Station’s premiership, real quality of broadcasting and journalism will be experienced. It will be different, it will be something out of the ordinary, dressed in excellence.
Staff Strength and Facilities:
Staff strength of EBC will be over a hundred. EBC provides a conducive atmosphere and staff quarters to cater to both senior and junior staff, ensuring a comfortable and supportive working environment. Staff training within Nigeria is standard at EBC for staff optimal performance.
Programming and International Affiliations:
Gravitas FM will focus on ‘Talk Back’, entertainment, News in Pidgin presentation style for community service and vast listenership thus providing engaging talk shows and discussions. Eku 91.1 FM is designed to cater to a wide audience, including the middle-aged and young, accommodating everyone’s interests specifically in English speaking. Eku FM will launch with affiliate foreign stations and it will be streamed live on social media platforms.
EBC Group General Manager. Dew Jemima Wilson
Digital Transformation:
Eku Broadcasting Company Stations are fully digitized, ensuring modern broadcasting technology.
Eku FM
Conclusion:
EBC is poised to become a leading broadcasting company in Delta State, offering a diverse range of high-quality content that caters to a wide audience. Under the visionary leadership of the EBC Chairman Mohammed Edewor and the experienced Group General Manager, Ms. Dew Jemima Wilson, EBC promises to deliver a unique and engaging listening experience. Stay tuned for the launch of EBC and join us in celebrating a new era of broadcasting in Delta State.
There is no doubt that the Delta State Government led by Elder Sheriff Oborevwori boasts of an assemblage of intellectuals and highly educated individuals, including his communication team led by the Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza. However, their recent reaction to my previous article clearly shows a lack of basic communication and strategic communication management skills. They hastily churned out three different, verbose, and deflective articles in a failed attempt to discredit my assertions.
Ordinarily, I would have let them continue in their self-imposed delusions, which have become the hallmark of this administration. However, to address their intellectual laziness and collective dissociative amnesia, and to remind them that many Deltans are discerning and will not swallow any garbage thrown at them, no matter how colourfully wrapped. Thus, I will dignify them with a reply.
What Oborevwori’s media bullies fail to realise is that truth is constant. No matter how fast lies travel, they will eventually be caught by the truth. Today, the truth stares them in the face. Rather than addressing the issues raised in my article to invalidate my assertions, that Governor Oborevwori is acting as if he is a placeholder for Dr. Okowa, they chose to deflect the issues by dragging their only known political opponent, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege into the discussion.
One wonders why they dodged the questions raised in the article and instead dragged Omo-Agege into a simple statement of facts. The issue is that only two ministries, where former Governor Okowa and current Governor Oborevwori have vested interests are being funded by the current state government.
Despite Delta PDP’s victory at the Supreme Court, where the party defeated Omo-Agege, his shadow still seems to haunt this government. Each time a Deltan raises an issue, it’s always linked to Omo-Agege. Is the governor’s media team suggesting that Deltans have no right to independent opinions or are incapable of forming and holding opinions? How low do Governor Oborevwori and his aides think of Deltans? It’s sad.
To clear any doubt, I, Ovasa Ogaga, was never an aide to the former Deputy President of the Senate, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, nor am I indebted to him to warrant being described as his loyalist. The issues raised in my article were not personal, but are in the interest of Deltans. Equally, I have no personal issues with Governor Oborevwori. Therefore, the media team should address me directly and answer the questions posed instead of hiding behind Omo-Agege to score cheap political points.
It appears the Commissioner for Information and his team have not realised that the campaign period where propaganda and lies, could go unchallenged is over. Deltans are now more than ever ready to question every action of the PDP-led government and how they have appropriated and spent our commonwealth in over one year. The sooner they understand this, the better.
The Delta Ministry for Information, like an onion that smells nice on the outside but is rotten inside, should explain why this government prefers to spend millions of Naira monthly and quarterly on national televisions and newspapers while allowing our state television houses Edjeba in Warri and Asaba to rot away due to poor funding. If things are truly working well as they want Deltans to believe, why are DBS Asaba and DRTV Warri off the air for most of the year?
These stations, which used to be the pride of Deltans, have been reduced to Facebook TV under their watch. For DBS Edjeba-Warri, the state government has not funded it since the Okowa era. Both the radio and television arms of DBS Warri are dead. The state government needs to acquire modern, energy-efficient television and radio transmitters powered by solar power systems. For the few days, the station would be on, it would go off and on for over ten times when small radio stations in Uvwie, Warri and Ughelli were running uninterrupted. Is that not shameful?
As the saying goes, charity begins at home. For any serious government, instruments or agency of the “mouthpiece” or information of the state government such as DBS Warri, DBS Asaba, The Pointer Newspaper and Delta State Orientation Bureau should be at their optima.
I challenge the Delta State Commissioner for Information to an open debate to present figures on how much has been released to him from his ministry’s capital budget in the past six months and what the money was used for.
The Okowa-led government made attempts to kill and relocate DBS/DRTV Warri to Asaba through the then Commissioner for Information, but this was opposed by some Urhobos and Delta South stakeholders. This led to the station being starved of much-needed capital funding for years, resulting in the breakdown of the television and radio transmitters. As we speak, DRTV Warri cannot boast of four functional cameras. Today, the station resorts to renting low-grade cameras for coverage, leading to poor visual quality. The studio microphones are in a bad state. You hear distasteful noise from the studio due to poor and bad studio mics. Two weeks ago, I was listening to the “State of the Nation” weekly radio program, callers upon callers were demanding that Governor Oborevwori pay special attention to DBS Warri after the program went off air three times for a less than two hours call-in program.
The fact that DBS/DRTV Warri still occasionally hits the airwaves is thanks to the creative ingenuity of the management and staff who collectively work to keep the station alive. The plan was to frustrate the station until it dies naturally, and the current Commissioner of Information is following that path by starving it of funds, fueling speculation that it is part of the ‘Anioma Agenda’ to cripple the station. How else do you explain to outsiders that radio and television stations of an oil-rich state such as Delta will be out of airwaves for two-to-three months?
A proactive and forward-looking government would prioritize fixing our state-owned radio and television stations rather than diverting funds to service other stations that pay taxes to other state governments. It does not take rocket science to provide the station with modern, energy-efficient transmitters powered by solar systems, like other privately owned stations in Delta. Both stations should be on air 24/7.
It is a shame that under Oborevwori’s watch, DBS/DRTV Warri, which is probably the first state-owned television he watched as a youth, is decaying under his nose. For over a year as a governor, he has not deemed it necessary to visit the Edjeba Warri station which is now in comatose. The state tabloid, The Pointer, is also suffering the same fate. Deltans across communities in the past wake to see The Pointer in newsstands. Today, nobody hears of the once-popular paper. The rot in the Ministry of Information is unimaginable.
Other states’ television stations like Lagos Television and OGtv are on GOTV. Why can’t the Delta State government harmonise the programs of DBS Asaba and DRTV Warri and link them to GOTV if they can’t afford DSTV? This would ensure that a greater number of Deltans are well-informed about government policies and programs. No, they prefer bigger budgets with 30% kickbacks and cronies masquerading as media consultants siphoning state resources to service national media houses, while their targeted audiences are Deltans in remote riverine communities.
From all indications, Oborevwori’s administration has a phobia of the local media. How else can one explain that in a year and two months since he assumed office, he has not organized any media briefings for journalists in the state? A government that claims to have done well should be bold enough to face the media and tell its success stories. His counterparts in Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River engage the media monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly. Why is this not the case in Delta? What is Governor Oborevwori afraid of?
If Governor Oborevwori cannot sustain the quarterly media briefings that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa maintained for eight years, he could borrow a leaf from former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who held monthly Pidgin English live media chat on DBS Asaba and DRTV Warri, which were robust and engagingly impactful. Sadly, if he were to do this today, Deltans would not be able to tune in because both state-owned stations are in the Intensive Care Unit.
I am not surprised that those managing the governor’s media are unaware that no modern political leader can succeed by running and hiding from the media. Rather than engaging the media, the Commissioner for Information announced the cancellation of the institutionalised governor’s quarterly media briefing during his first meeting with the leadership of the State Council of NUJ. This enables them to churn out and dish out propaganda and cooked-up information as press releases without being questioned.
Today, their lies have caught up with them. If the state media organisations under the Ministry of Information are not working, how can we believe statements from the ministry claiming that all sectors of the government are working? Or the “Ukodo” Has Not Reached the Ministry of Information? Every lie has an expiration date.
Ovasa Ogaga, a journalist and public analyst, writes from Ughelli.
Benin City, capital of Edo State shuffled and bubbled on Tuesday morning with huge excitement as thousands of organic supporters mesmerized the town in an electrifying display of love for Dr Asue Ighodalo, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in September 21 governorship election in the state.
Mammoth crowd
As early as 7:30 am, Ring Road, the city center started receiving the supporters for AiO2 rally tagged “COME AND SHOW YOUR LOVE FOR AI02”.
Ring Road, was filled to overflowing with supporters of Asue/Ogie candidacy spilling to the adjourning streets.
The supporters, who completely took over the road, were in their thousands, singing, chanting and screaming “Man Wey Sabi” .
The atmosphere was carnival-like as man of the moment, Ighodalo and his running mate acknowledged cheers from an open truck in which they rode.
The huge crowd then poured into the Airport Road leading to the PDP Secretariat. It was celebration galore at the secretariat as Ighodalo assured the people that he would work for them. And would not disappoint them. He charged them not to be deceived but to vote for PDP and ensure that they protect their votes.
The rally featured hundreds of support groups that were dressed in different picturesque attires with the pictures of Asue/Ogie boldly printed on their T-shirts and flowing dresses of different colours.
The rally was a sea of thousands of colourful baseball caps which adds to the electrifying atmosphere. Many supporters mounted speakers on their vehicles fitted with sound systems blaring danceable sound to the delight of the people.
The Ring Road rally will for the next few weeks remain the talking point of the campaign ahead of the election in September.
The Director General of Aniocha South Local Government Area Campaign Council and Special Adviser to Delta State Governor on Infrastructure, Chief (Barr) Nat Igbadi, has called on the good people of Aniocha South Local Government in Delta State to vote for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 13th Local Government Election to be held in Delta State.
Chief Igbadi made this clarion call while responding to the Press at the venue of the official flag-off of Local Government Campaign for the second tenure of the Executive Chairman of the LGA Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike by the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Rt. Hon (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori ably represented by the Delta State PDP Chairman Olorogun Barrister Kingsley Esiso at Anishi Primary School, Ogwashi-uku.
Speaking to Journalists at the event, the S.A. to the Governor on Infrastructure affirmed that Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike recorded monumental achievements in his first tenure as Chairman of the LGA which entreats a second tenure to enable him consolidate on his good works as the Council Chairman.
Speaking further, the PDP Campaign Director-General of Aniocha South LGA highlighted some of the achievements of Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike during his first tenure to include but not limited to the prioritization of the welfare of local government staff, building of the Aniocha South Legislative Arm with state of the art facilities, the building of the Traditional Rulers’ Secretariat, constantly grading the community earth roads to various communities, payment of stipends to the local vigilante across the communities in Aniocha South LGA.
Chief Igbadi further noted that Hon. Chukwunwike’s first tenure witnessed a drastic reduction in crime rate in the local government area, noting that his administration maintained strong synergy with the security agencies in the local government leading to an improvement in peace and security in Aniocha South in line with one of the policy trust of the M.O.R.E. Agenda of Oborevwori’s administration which is Enhanced Peace and Security.
Chief Igbadi therefore appealed to the people of Aniocha South to vote PDP all through from the Chairmanship to the Councillorship at the ward level, noting that PDP under the capacity Governor Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori has attracted dividends of democracy to the good people of Aniocha South in terms of hu toman capital development.
The Director of Security for Aniocha South Local Government Area Campaign council and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Delta State Governor on Political Matters, Hon. Tony Anukwu, has called on the good people of Aniocha South Local Government, Delta State to maintain peace and absolute decorum before, during and after the July 13th Local Government Elections in Delta State.
This appeal was made by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor and all PDP Councillorship Aspirants of the LGA during the official flag-off of Local Government Campaign for the second tenure of the Executive Chairman of the LGA Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike by the Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Governor Sheriff Oborevwori ably represented by the Delta State PDD Chairman Olorogun Barrister Kingsley Esiso at Government Primary School, Ogwashi-uku.
The Campaign Security Director, Hon. Anukwu noted that peace is indispensable in any election, and appealed to the good people of Aniocha South to come out on the election day en masse to vote for the PDP Chairmanship candidate Pastor Jude Chukwunwike and all the PDP Councillorship Aspirants for the Wards in the LGA.
Speaking further, Hon. Anukwu noted that one of the policy thrust of Governor Oborevwori M.O.R.E. Agenda is Enhanced Peace and Security, adding that this is a priory of the PDP Chairmanship candidate which will help in promoting human capital development in Aniocha South LGA in particular and Delta State in general.
The SSA on Political Matters further urged the people of Aniocha South to come out in their numbers and vote for Hon. Pastor Jude Chukwunwike for his second tenure in office, adding that his first tenure as the Chairman of Aniocha South LGA witnessed tremendous peace and security amongst the various clans that makes up Aniocha South LGA, namely Ogwashi-uku, Ubulu-uku and Nsukwa clans.
Delta State is arguably among the richest states in Nigeria in terms of human and natural resources. Blessed with huge oil and gas deposits, it is the highest oil revenue earner in Nigeria. However, this wealth has not translated into development or a better quality of life for its citizens. Since the dawn of the current democratic governance in 1999, Delta State has been plagued by bad leadership, with each succeeding government worse than its predecessor.
Many consider the current Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, to be a man destined to lead Delta State at a critical juncture in its history. He overcame numerous challenges within and outside his party to be sworn in as the 5th elected governor of the state. However, like many kings who were ordained by God but failed according to Biblical accounts, Governor Oborevwori’s first year in office has left much to be desired.
During his campaign, the governor did not promise Deltans anything specific, only stating that he would “Do More” of whatever the immediate past governor did. There were no clear-cut visions or policies regarding infrastructure development, education, healthcare, security, or the welfare of Deltans. The only visible campaign mantra was “Ukodo Go Reach Everybody.” Under his leadership, Deltans are still unclear about the government’s policy thrust, with the “More Agenda” being the only notable slogan.
A critical analysis of the government’s performance suggests that Governor Oborevwori is either yet to fully take over the reins of governance and is currently acting as a placeholder for former Governor Okowa, who bankrolled his election, or he has yet to fully comprehend his functions and powers as the Executive Governor of Delta State. Some speculate that he is overwhelmed by the glamour of his office and is still enjoying his new status while true governance suffers.
During the 2023 governorship election campaign, the APC governorship candidate, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, warned Deltans that electing Oborevwori would essentially be a third term for Okowa. Many believe that while Dr. Okowa has handed the governorship to Oborevwori, he still controls the strings, determining how resources are allocated. This dynamic is seen as slowing governance activities in the state, with Governor Oborevwori perceived as deferring to Okowa to avoid being labeled disloyal.
Close observers agree that apart from the overhyped and over-inflated N78 billion Julius Berger flyover project in Effurun, the completion of a few rural and urban roads initiated by the Okowa’s administration, and continued work on sections A and C of the Ughelli-Ozoro-Kwale-Asaba road, Governor Oborevwori has engaged in selective governance.
The previous administration’s initiative to equip young school leavers with technical skills through the revamping of technical colleges has stalled under Governor Oborewori’s watch. The Ministry of Technical Education has not had any memos approved in the past eight months, slowing this noble initiative.
The gains in the infrastructural facelift of Asaba, Delta State’s capital, have also nosedived. The agency responsible for improving Asaba, like its counterpart in Warri/Uvwie and environs, has become comatose. The governor has not approved any meaningful resources for these agencies to carry out their responsibilities.
The only two functioning ministries in the state in the last one year are the Ministry of Works (Higher and Urban Roads) with Comrade Reuben Izeze as the Honorable Commissioner and the Ministry of Works (Rural and Riverine Roads) led by Mr. Charles Aniagwu. Izeze, a close ally of the governor, represents Oborevwori’s interests, while Aniagwu, a trusted loyalist of Dr. Okowa was planted by the former governor to ensure the completion and full payment of road projects hurriedly awarded before the 2023 governorship election.
Other ministries in the state have been reduced to just paying staff salaries and handling minor administrative issues, with the capital components of their budgets left unattended. An insider familiar with the workings in Governor Oborevwori’s office revealed that the greatest impediment to effective governance is the governor’s inability to process and act on files sent to his office. Many critical files have gathered dust, some for over ten months, due to a lack of attention from the governor unless they hold special interest.
In the past one year, Governor Oborevwori in a bid to prove his ‘street credibility,’ has seemingly abandoned governance. He has devoted more time to attending social events like birthdays, housewarmings, marriages, and burials than attending to state business. Compounding the woes of Deltans, he is not known to easily listen to or take advice from his numerous aides, including his Senior Special Advisers and Executive Assistants, leaving many of his appointees disillusioned.
Can Deltans in good conscience hold Governor Oborevwori accountable for promises he never made? How many Deltans took the time to read through his hurriedly put-together campaign manifesto, encapsulated as the MORE Agenda, to understand what it offered before casting their votes? A man who remained mostly silent throughout the campaign, with former Governor Okowa speaking for him at all PDP local governments and ward-to-ward campaigns, and who only said “I Will Do More” is certainly doing more—the Ukodo don reach everybody!
Ovasa Ogaga, a journalist and public affairs analyst writes from Ughelli, Delta State.
