By Akaba Clement Eriraivenre
As the build-up towards who succeeds incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State come 2023 intensifies, it is common knowledge that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), like many other political parties, are already enmeshed in the politics of shopping for a suitably ideal candidate that will serve as their standard flagbearer at the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state. This feat would be quite ruffling owing to the notion that whoever emerges will have a higher chance of winning the upcoming gubernatorial poll and it’s reflected in recent records which shows that the PDP has well over Twelve (12) gubernatorial aspirants from whom only one will stand as their standard flagbearer. Such a Candidate must be well easily Saleable, politically viable, and most of all free from Scandals if the PDP must have a smooth and itch-free sail to victory in the 2023 gubernatorial election.
Olorogun David Edevbie is one aspirant who seems to stand tallest among the rest when rated in terms of experience, youthfulness, political viability, Marketability and freedom from Scandals. He is invariably equal to the task of ensuring an easy ride to victory for the PDP. He can be fully trusted on this owing to his stunning personality, wealth of experience, and wide acceptability which has made him seem more like the proverbial big masquerade whose presence makes other aspirants, including those of other political parties, appear to be underdogs.
It is only a political simpleton that will doubt the fact that everything seems to be pointing in favour of Olorogun David Edevbie as far as the gubernatorial race is concerned. Let’s not forget the historical fact that the man was the second runner-up at the Delta State PDP governorship primary election of December 2014 that ushered Governor Ifeanyi Okowa into power in 2015. That incident alone goes a long way in publishing a clearer picture of the man’s political clout even when he declared to run in that governorship race within three (3) months to the PDP primary election.
Another factor that will surely work in his favour is the fact that he maintains a very robust rapport with the last three successive governors who without a second thought would garner massive support for him compared to other aspirants. This is one major factor that elicits envy as other aspirants consider this as an unfair advantage for the man.
In the area of requisite experience, it is a known fact that Olorogun David Edevbie has been in the Delta State government circle since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999 when he served as Commissioner for Finance during the erstwhile Governor James Ibori’s two-term era. He also served the incumbent administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in various capacities as Commissioner for Finance and more recently as Chief of Staff to the Governor. With these alone, it becomes quite glaring that no other aspirant has a better span of knowledge and experience pertaining to the administration of Delta State compared to him.
The PDP should ensure not to be oblivious of the imminent fact that while they are yet struggling over the choice of who to field as a flagbearer, the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) lurks around waiting to cash-in on the slightest opportunity just in case the PDP goofs in their Choice of Candidate. We really don’t need the premonition of a Clairvoyant to know that the political dynamics of the state has been greatly altered since 2019 as the opposition APC in the state now has the person of the Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate who is currently warming up furiously for the gubernatorial race should in case the ruling PDP fields a political Lightweight.
It would be wise and precautionary, at this point in time, that the PDP put their best foot forward as a doctrine of necessity by fielding Olorogun David Edevbie. A stitch in time they said saves nine.
Would the PDP in Delta State follow the easy path to victory OR the hard way to victory?
Only time shall tell.
