The Mystery of Delta politics

The Mystery of Delta politics As Many political watchers are still pondering about what happened in Delta PDP gubernatorial primary Okechukwu Jombo, writes that is has become a political mystery. That Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, against all odds, pulled 406 votes to beat his closest rival, Chief David Edevbie, who scored 299 and another leading aspirant in the race, Sir Tony Obuh, who got five votes, in the Delta state Governatorial primaries of the PDP is still a mystery to so many people . As a matter of fact, the emergence of Dr. Okowa was akin to a political revolution in the state as people from the three senatorial districts voted him regardless of whatever order they were given. Most importantly, the leadership of the Urobo Progressive Union UPU would learn a bitter lesson from this because it backed the wrong horse. What happened in Delta state is a political mystery. It is a clear indication that nobody is God or can play God. When they say 24 hours is long time in politics, nobody should dismiss the statement in a hurry because that is exactly what played out in the state.”“Can you explain why Dr. Uduaghan had to step down for Senator Manager in the Delta South primary, forget the explanation that it was for peace and security of the state, did you not see what happened to Mr. Obuh, who only 48 hours to the primary was the man to beat. . Okowa again is sure he would emerge victorious over the Labour Party’s Chief Great Ogboru and his All Progressives Congress counterpart, Chief O’tega Emerhor, in the state. While maintaining that the PDP has a thriving history of electoral victories since the advent of democracy in 1999, he vowed that such would be replicated next year. He expressed confidence that with the caliber of aspirants that jostled for the party’s ticket in the state, who have now keyed into his campaign council, victory was sure. Speaking on the challenges posed by the opposition APC across the country in Asaba, Okowa, who acknowledged that there are great hurdles ahead to be crossed by his party in 2015, however optimistically said PDP would overwhelmingly coast to victory. “This is the first time we (PDP) are going to the polls nationally with a strong opposition. “But with hard work, PDP will surmount the challenges and be successful.” According to him, the gubernatorial aspirants deserve commendation, especially for not allowing their personal interest to override the interest of the state after they were defeated. He said: “PDP in Delta State has always done so well and I believe that we will do better in the elections that are coming up in 2015. “All the aspirants have called to congratulate me. “Besides appreciating them, I appealed for their cooperation and support of all party faithful to further move the party forward.” Okowa urged the 71-man campaign council inaugurated by the state chapter of the party to midwife the 2015 general elections to engage only in “issue-based campaigns devoid of ethnic sentiments”. Political watchers belief that Okowa is the man to beat in Delta and therefore should be taking seriously this because his emergence as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Delta State was not just the result of the steadfastness and steel of the candidate. There were many other factors While he is generally appreciated for his sagacity, his victory has unmistakably highlighted the grip on the state chapter of the PDP of associates of the immediate past governor of the state, Chief James Ibori on the party. Okowa served in Chief James Ibori’s cabinet like Senator Jamesn Manager, who joined forces to push forward Okowa's victory. Okowa polled 406 votes beating to second place, Olorogun David Edevbie, the consensus candidate of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) who also had the political machinery of the state government behind him with 299 votes. Other results as announced by Sunday Kareem, the returning officer were as follows: Victor Ochei (185 votes), Ndudi Elumelu (50 votes), Godsday Orubebe (49) and Godswill Obielum (22). Sylvester Monye, Ovie Omo-Agege and Sam Obi got 10 votes each; Peter Okocha had six votes, Tony Obuh (five), Charles Emetulu (four), Kenneth Gbagi(two) and Mike Uwaka (one vote). One vote was voided. 2006 power shift agreement It was learned on good authority that Ibori insisted on the power shift arrangement by leaders of the party, eight years ago, which is that Delta North senatorial district should produce the governor in 2015. This was against the clamour by the UPU, the apex sociocultural group of his Delta Central district for an Urhobo governorship flag bearer. Incompatible dissimilarities It was, however, palpable that there were some irreconcilable differences between Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and Okowa which only the two personalities can explain. While Uduaghan stood wholeheartedly for a Delta North successor, his mind was not on Okowa and his body language pointed to the retired permanent secretary, Mr. Anthony Obuh. Until the last minute swing by his political machinery,Obuh was generally perceived as the man to beat inthe contest. Those who served with Okowa in the Ibori government were said to have insisted on Okowa forging ahead a development that pushed those opposed to him to the wall, and brought up the idea of using Edevbie to stop him through the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU. Okowa is known to be loved by the political class in the state, but his problem with Uduaghan alienated some persons until the eleventh hour when the Ibori followers rallied round him. Senator James Manager,who is also of the Ibori political family, led his Ijaw kinsmen, while Tompolo, did a yeoman job behind the scene. Nwaoboshi undeterred till the last minute Former state chairman of the party, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, who had boasted that it was Delta North in 2015, was not deterred by the last minute momentum towards Edevbie. hours before the votes were counted, “Mark it, youwill see what will happen, there is no way Delta Central is going to get it.”Nwaoboshi shook hands triumphantly with SenatorManager shortly after Ijaw delegates cast their votes,probably for a job well done. This was before the votes were counted. The refusal of Delta North aspirants to arrive at a consensus candidate for the primary worried the Ibori political family, but that notwithstanding, it deployed its immense muscle in the three senatorial districts to deliver Okowa. An Urhobo leader said, “In fact, the UPU was shocked that some Urhobo people voted for Okowa instead ofEdevbie. Even though the votes from all the local governments were mixed and counted together, it was clear when the Delta Central local governments were being counted that they were betrayers in the house.” The Urhobo political class and other government officials, who were giving marching orders to deliver Chief Edevbie worked hard as most of them moved from one delegate to the other, canvassing for votes without fruitful results. Most of them beyond what they were given, spent their personal money to woo delegates but to no avail.One reason the Ijaw kicked against Edevbie was that they saw him as a member of the cabal that workedagainst the ascension of Dr. Jonathan as acting president when President Umaru Yar’Adua took ill in 2009. The Ijaw gave bloc votes to Dr Okowa, vowing that the man, who worked against the emergence of their kinsman (Jonathan) would get their votes.