By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe
Leaders of Urhobo nation in Delta Central Senatorial District of Delta State, have agreed to sustain unity for the common good and for the actualisation of governorship slot, come 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The leaders also took a proactive step to blend words with action by constituting a political pressure group to drive the process of producing the governor of Delta State in 2023, so as to consolidate the total grip of the state political system by PDP.
The meeting was held on Thursday 8th April 2021, at the Asaba residence of the convener and Chairman of Asaba Capital Territory Development Agency, ACTDA. Chief Ighoyota Amori, resolved to allow aspirants to start indicating their interest with the overall objective of narrowing down the race to one most suitable candidate who will be projected by Delta Central political superstructure to fly the party’s governorship ticket in 2023.
The eight local government areas which constitute Delta Central Senatorial District were ably represented.
It was decided that DELTA CENTRAL 2023, (DC-23, for short) be adopted as the name of the political pressure group that will serve as the major unifying body for political consultations and advocacy to drum up statewide support for the district’s common objective of producing PDP governorship candidate in this dispensation.
DC-23 proponents also resolved to on a distant date convey another meeting to deepen the planning process by constituting committees and subcommittees to drive the governorship slot project in the three senatorial districts comprising 25 local government areas of the state.
Convener of the stakeholders meeting which gave birth to DC-23 Group, Chief Ighoyota Amori said the need for Central to speak with one voice cannot be overemphasised, adding that the district is not divided over the governorship issue, but that aspirants within the district must go about their ambition with the understanding that DC-23 Group shall serve as the unifying organ to achieve Delta Central governorship slot based on the ongoing rotation of power on senatorial district basis by PDP.
He urged the people of Delta Central to remain united under the group – “Delta Central 2023” platform, while governorship aspirants must of a necessity organise their individual consultation and campaign team in line with the overall objective of DC-23, which is to produce another PDP governor who will succeed the incumbent governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, on May 29, 2023.
“Today, we are good to go, to commence our sincere drive to actualise Delta Central slot to produce another PDP governor in the state based on the power rotation formula of our great party.
“We must embrace our brothers and sisters in Delta North and South Senatorial Districts; partner with them and work together in love and unity so that at the end of it all, we shall savour the victory, and constitute an all-inclusive government for the overall development of the state.
“Our leader and governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, has made our collective victory easier through his good governance strides and still counting. We shall continue to support him to attain his desire of building a Stronger Delta by 2023.
“By next meeting, we shall appoint committees and subcommittees to commence statewide consultations and strategic advocacy devoid of name-calling and ethnic colouration, because power rotation in PDP is solely based on Senatorial district, not by tribe or ethnic arrangement,” Amori said.
Also speaking, the father of government and erudite professor of political science, Prof Sam Oyovbaire thanked Chief Amori for convening the meeting and stressed the need for Delta Central to be united more than anything else, for the actualisation of the 2023 governorship slot, saying that the zoning formula has never been based on tribe or ethnic nationality but on senatorial basis.
He noted that the state party Chairman, Barrister Kingsley Esiso, at a party function in Ovu, Ethiope East LGA, made it very clear that Delta Central will produce the state governor in 2023, which is why leaders and stakeholders in the district must join hands with the party structure to drive the process to fruition.
In his brief remarks, the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori said the unity of the people of Delta central should never be compromised, noting that whatever the aspiration of individuals, the end result should be for the district to produce the next governor in 2023, in line with PDP’s senatorial rotation of power agreement adopted by leaders of the three districts from the outset.
Former Director-General of the state Direct Labour Agency, DLA, Chief Terry Noah, said the meeting was timely and urged leaders in the district to team up and reach out to other leaders in Delta North and South to support Central.
He urged leaders and stakeholders to abhor politics of “tribe” or “ethnic nationality” and must never b allowed to rear her ugly head within the PDP family.
Noah suggested that Chief Amori, should continue to host the group in Asaba, until after the various committees and subcommittees must have been inaugurated and ready to hit the ground running, before moving meetings to Delta Central.
The highlight of the meeting was the adoption of; DELTA CENTRAL 2023 (DC-23) as the name of the political pressure group to unite aspirants, the people of central, and to strategically drive the governorship project to fruition.
Present at the meeting are; the convener, Chief Ighoyota Amori, the Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, JP, former Secretary to Delta State Government, Rt Hon Festus Ovie Agas, Prof Sam Oyovbaire, Chief Terry Noah, former member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency, Barrister Lovett Idisi, Hon Evelyn Oboro represented, Hon Igbrakpata, Hon Samuel Marierie, Hon Efe Ofobruku, Hon Mathew Tsekiri, Hon Eric Oharisi, Chief of State to Delta State Government, Olorogun David Edevbie, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Mrakpor, SAN, former Commissioner for Lands, Olorogun Fred Majemite, former Commissioner for Economic Planning, Chief George Orogun, Honourable Commissioner for Urban Renewal, Barrister Arthur Akpowowo, Commissioner for Special Duties, Sakpra and Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Chief Chris Onogba.
Others are; Elegbete Moses Odibo represented, Oghenesivbe Fred Latimore, Hon Raymond Edijala, Chief Emmanuel Ighomena, former Chairman of Ethiope East LGA, Chief Mrs Faith Majemite, former Chairman of Ethiope West LGA, Chief Solomon Foley, Hon Takib Tabiti, Chief Emuobo Gbagi represented Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, Bright Onajefe-Gift, Hon Dr Isaac Akpoveta, Chief Godwin Sito, Mrs Philomena Ededey, Mrs Iroro Oyearone-, Mrs Eunice Okoh, Sen Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Mr Ededey, Chief P. O. C Ovbije, Barr. A. K Osawota, Hon Anthony Akpomiemie, Dr Lucky Avweromre, Mr Paul Etaga, Prof Patrick Muoboghare, Dr Amos Ighorodje, Chief Hope Erute, Raymond Edijala, Barr Andrew Orugbo, Mr Austin Ayemidejor, Mr Festus Pemu, Chief Favour Ededey, Hon Emmanuel Ighomena, Mr Efe Itie, Chief Barr. Isaac Itebu, Dr Amos Ighorodje, Engr Christabel Obiuwevbi, Barr. Ejaife Omizu Odebala, Hon. Barr. Anthony Akpomiemie, Mr Happy Edijana, etcetera.
