By Dr. Johnson Oyibo
The purpose of this essay is to advise the otherwise cerebral and astute Delta State Governor Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa not to do what he has sent his men and foot soldiers to do: anoint a candidate who he alone favours against the terms and spirit of the accord that has produced PDP governors in the state since 1999. He should remember that his predecessor attempted to do same in 2015 and lost out dramatically.
In addition, Okowa is a medical doctor by training. Qualifying to be a medical doctor in Nigeria as it is anywhere in the world is not for nitwits. It is for people who can process complex issues especially in a complex, complicated and competitive world. Thus far, Okowa has shown dexterity in managing the state such that there has been no violent ethnic conflict as we once experienced in the State. But in pursuit of creating a third term for himself by proxy, our revered State Governor has confirmed that ‘great men are not always wise! I am a stakeholder in the State. Governor Okowa should be encouraged to hand over to a man who has the capacity to hold intelligent conversations with other governors. We want a governor that can rub shoulders with such governors as Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Soludo of Anambra, Fayemi of Ekiti and Zulum of Bornu State.
His immediate predecessor in office, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, was also a medical doctor by training. In 1999, Chief James Ibori, a graduate of University of Benin, became the first civilian governor. He put together a team that has somewhat collectively managed the affairs of Delta State since 1999. They could hold their own anywhere in the world.
I have before me copy of a Communiqué which all fourteen aspirants, including then Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, signed on 11th of November 2014. In the preamble, the aspirants noted that they had bought the Expression of Interest Forms and that ‘having followed the unfolding political developments in Delta State over the last two months, met at the home of our national leader, Chief E. K. Clark, CON, on Tuesday 11th November 2014, to review the state of affairs in our party in Delta State’.
Seven bullet points were raised in the Communiqué under reference. In Bullet Point 3, the aspirants noted that they ‘reject in its entirety, moves by the Governor of Delta State to singlehandedly pick his successor by manipulating the processes’. Bullet Point 4 is an extension of Point 3 in which the alarmed aspirants stated that they ‘further reject attempts by the Governor to use State machinery and resources to intimidate and harass public officials and political leaders who have refused to support his preferred candidate’.
The Communiqué which was signed by Barrister Ovie Omo-Agege, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, Prof. Sylvester Monye, Chief David Edevbie, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Rt. Hon. Prince Sam Obi, Dame Dr. Esther Uduehi, Chief Clement T. Ofuani, Chief Johnson Opone, Chief (Dr.) Ambassador Gabriel Chukwuma Oyibode, Chief Godswill Obielum, Chief Peter Okocha stated in Point 5 that they ‘also reject moves by an out-going Governor to pick candidates for State and national Assemblies in Delta State.
The big question for our dear governor is: WHAT HAS CHANGED BETWEEN 2014 AND 2022? In other words, if it was wrong for one man to impose a governor on the state, why is right now that Governor Okowa is in the saddle? Why has our governor spurned the advice of other stakeholders in the state by driving a personal agenda? Why has he opted to impose a candidate of his choice on the Urhobo people after he clearly advised UPU to settle for one during the 90th anniversary celebrations of that respectable body?
Dear Governor, please think again. Most of your aides are worried about your choice among the aspirants. But they will not tell you for fear of being excluded from the pie. If it is true as has been rumoured that two of your influential aides are the ones pushing the current agenda, and then you must go back to the drawing board and sit with your predecessors to make a final choice by consensus. If you go into the election fractured APC will defeat your party. Think beyond winning in the primaries. Can whoever you choose beat the candidate from APC most likely Senator Ovie Omo-Agege?
After UPU endorsed Chief David Edevbie, you went overboard trying to fight back by using foot soldiers to attack the organisation. Apart from the spineless Local Government Chairmen from Delta Central whom you compelled to insult their fathers and grandfathers, some of your acolytes in Urhoboland were driven into pouring insults on the cultural association which represent their ancestors and progenitors. The God of Urhoboland will judge them in future. When the Anioma umbrella body endorsed you in 2014, it was okay. But it is not okay for UPU to do same for the man they adjudge best among the aspirants. If it is true that you bought interest forms for some Urhobo aspirants in order to weaken the Urhobo votes, this is the time to have a rethink. If it is true that you have supported some persons in Urhoboland to weaken the hands of your benefactor, it is time to have re-think! Abuja and the PDP hierarchy are watching you Sir. God bless you as you think again!
Governor Okowa, do not do what you are about to do. Or, stop what you are doing. Even if you bulldoze your way through there will be a gang up next year to make sure your candidate is defeated. Your loss will be the gain of the opposition. Be sure before you shut the door. It is not good to bite the hands of your benefactor, the man who took sides with you in 2014/15 against his brother, the sitting governor of the state at the time.
Lastly I was amused, as most people were right inside the church, when at the birthday service of Chief Otimehin Adams in Sapele you declared in the house of God that you are not imposing anyone on the State. Is this for real, sir? Right there some of your aides muttered ‘politics na wa o! You coldly told a lie with a straight face right inside the house of God! I am sure your highly respected, prayerful and straightforward wife will not like this!
Dr. Johnson Oyibo
Ufuomanefe Road
Sapele
