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[ Masterweb Reports ] – Gov. Obi said what would happen to Anambra State by the end of the year would be revolutionary by all accounts and that all sectors would benefit. He said this Monday, June 17 at the Women Development Centre Awka, during The Town Hall meeting at which he explained to critical stakeholders- traditional rulers Presidents General of towns, Religious leaders, among others - how the Government intend to carry out comprehensive rehabilitation of 253 Government owned secondary schools in the State. This follows the rehabilitation of the schools already handed over to the Churches by the Government.
The Governor who at the event flagged-off the distribution of the 10 million Naira, a total of 2.53 Billion Naira to Principals of those Secondary schools, said it represented the first phase of the exercise. He explain the delay on the need to set up a monitoring group for proper deployment of the money and warned that any Principal who would be found wanting would be dealt with accordingly.
Besides, the cheques, the Governor said that the EXCO had just approved the sum of 6.5 Billion Naira for school in the State assuring that by the end of the year, all the schools in the state would get school buses, Microsoft Academy, computers to schools according to their population to the average of 1 computer to 10 students ( including primary schools), Laboratory equipment, Sports equipment and various learning materials. He said he was paying INTERNET, Microsoft and other subscriptions for 3 years to allow the person coming after him the latitude for settling down.
Charging the principals to be on guard, the Governor who continued apologizing for take over of schools, appealed to them to emulate the Church, who are doing commendably with the money similarly given to them.
On another development, the Governor today presented 200 SUV vehicles to all the traditional rulers in the State. He said the vehicles which were completely free from any charges, was in recognition of the pivotal roles of traditional rulers in the State and the need to endure they work in relative comfort for the good and progress of the State.
He said the choice of INNOSON manufactured vehicles is to tell Nigerians that with a Motor manufacturing company in the State, they need not search elsewhere. He said that the State Government has unofficially adopted INNOSON vehicles as the State brand and revealed that the next set of official vehicles he would use would be bought from INNOSON and called on Nigerians to be proud of their own.
On the source of finance for the projects, the Governor said it was mainly from the money he attracted to the State. Using the education sector as an example, he said that the budget was 3 Billion Naira, but that by the end of the year, 13 Billion Naira would have been spent.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Anambra Traditional Rulers Council, Obi Alfred Achebe, described what the State is witnessing under Obi as unprecedented. He said he was particularly thrilled not by the vehicles, but by the revolution in schools which he noted, would be for the benefit of the children of the State. He assured the support of traditional rulers for what he described as renaissance of learning taking place in the State.
In his own remarks, the traditional ruler of Umuoji, Igwe Cyril Iwueze thanked the Governor for his attention to all sectors. Agreeing that what is taking place in the State was a revolution , he said that after witnessing billions given to the Church to rehabilitate schools handed over to them, that it was encouraging witnessing the extension of the same gesture to public schools in the State.
*Photo Caption - Gov. Peter Obi ( middle) with his deputy, Emeka Sibeudu ( right) handing over the keys to 200 SUV vehicles for traditional rulers in the State represented by their Chairman, Obi Alfred Achebe (left).
[ Masterweb Reports ] – “We have okada too in Rwanda. It is a lucrative business. A good number of people are doing okada business in Rwanda. But their activities are well-regulated. There are rules and regulations that define the limit of their operation."
“We also organise them into groups, such as association of owners and association of operators. The groups help in ensuring that the rules and regulations are duly observed. Because we have rules, institutions and structures in place, we do not have much problem with okada operators." – Rwandan President, Paul Kagame.
That simple. There goes a responsible leader who understands the struggles of his countrymen. He has gone the extra-mile to ensure he sustains the source of livelihood of commercial motorcycle operators in his country irrespective of their place on the rungs of the social ladder.
Asking commercial motorcycle operators popularly known as okada to find alternative means of livelihood is the height of insensitivity by Nigerian state governors to the plight of compatriots. If there were better options they wouldn't be riding bikes in the first place.
Okada restriction in some parts of Lagos and Delta states in recent months have now berthed in Edo. Governor Adams Oshiomhole upon his re-election reiterated that there was no plan to ban Okada; “It is a class issue and I belong to the working class, so I cannot ban Okada. First, I believe that okada is a response to certain deficit in our intra-urban transportation system”. But on 11 June, 2013, all of that changed when the state government announced that there will be a ban (or restriction) on the activities of commercial motorcycle operators (bike riders) across Egor, Oredo and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas. The ban was extended to Oluku and Aduwawa which were not listed in the three local government areas but are part of the Benin City Metropolis. I believe that the Comrade Governor, like Fashola of Lagos, was ill-advised. It is a policy that will further impoverished the people that have already been pauperised by similar anti-people moves in the past like the fuel subsidy removal that was vehemently resisted by Nigerians to no avail. It is not accidental that most states where okada have been banned have Governors in their second terms. To test how unpopular such a move is, very few Governors will risk re-election by banning commercial motorcycles in their first term. Governor Fashola, "Before election in 2011, gave helmets and vests to okada riders.” An opposition spokesman was quoted as saying. “The okada riders were behind Fashola everywhere he went to campaign, then they were not armed robbers and they were not causing accidents. Weeks after he got the second term, he started chasing them everywhere.”
It is a fallacy of hasty generalisation, that all Okada riders are armed robbers, hence, responsible for the rise in crime rate and all accidents on Nigerian roads. Such must be premised on some kind of prejudice for them or at best, lazy reasoning. We cannot absolve okada riders from occasional robberies, but to put the blame on them squarely for all robbery incidents in the state to warrant their ban is tantamount to giving a dog a bad name so it can be hanged. Are the so-called keke NAPEP replacements and regular vehicles not used for same? Shouldn’t we also ban them from Nigerian roads? The restriction on okadas is not only a lazy approach to problem solving, but pedestrian, unjust, inhumane, callous and vicious. Taxis and buses are used for the famous 'one chance,' why weren't they banned? Militants and pirates use speed boats to bunker oil and attack ships on the high sea. Were they banned even at the height of the Niger-Delta militancy? For years, Nigerian airlines have become flying coffins leading to the death of hundreds, not even the lives of prominent Nigerians were spared. Aircrafts and air travel should have been banned! It becomes glaring why okada riders are singled out for ban, throwing their families and dependants deeper into the abyss of privation. For such an anti-people move to be taken somewhat hastily without due consultation with stakeholders, to a large extent, is an indication that these state Governors have lost touch with the common man.
A hardened hoodlum who wants to steal will find a convenient means of transportation to do so. There are thieves who rob on foot. This writer have been robbed in the cool of the evening by foot robbers with passers-by, onlookers and vehicles on either side of the road. Moreover, I don’t see anything that will stop a bandit from robbing with a motorcycle even after the ban of okada. It is the height of irrationality that a ban on commercial motorcycles is now a measure for reducing crime and accident rate in state metropolis. People should not loss their livelihood to the incompetence of the institutions constitutionally empowered to ensure safety on roads. The onus is on the government to live up to its responsibilities.
Governor Oshiomhole of Edo state, seeking comfortable parallel to hinge his anti-people and unpopular restriction of bike riders said it is now increasingly evident that many of the kidnappers in the state are okada riders. But how an okada rider can successfully kidnap his target who is probably driving in an SUV or some fast moving car beats me.
The ban of okada was also premised on the loss of lives from okada accidents. I wish to ask the FRSC and the Nigerian Police in these states, is okada the only cause of road accidents? Statistics have shown that accidents on the high way predominantly involve vehicles. How some state governors came to the conclusion that the panacea to the carnage on Nigerian roads is to ban okada but not cars – if we’re to go by simple logic - remains a mystery to me. If the state governors have failed in their responsibilities to fix the roads and reposition the FRSC and police to do their jobs on the high way, the source of livelihood of okada operators should not be sacrificed.
Residents who live in remote locations will face untold hardship accessing major roads from their homes. To meet up with work and other engagements they may decide to trek early in the day or late in the night and end up waylaid by thieves in unsafe areas. Will they not be worse off in the final analysis? It would have made more sense if the governors, Edo state in particular, rehabilitated all roads in interior locations to ameliorate the hardship of residents before the ban.
The state governors will do well to tell Nigerians how many jobs they’ve created in their states since they assumed office. You’ll discover in most states it is nowhere close to those put out of work by the ban on bike riders. Where do they expect them to get new jobs? To add salt to injury, Governor Oshiomhole has made it clear he is not interested in tricycles, popular known as keke NAPEP, stating his preference for taxis. Where he expects them to get funding for cars is unknown.
But it is pathetic that at a time the nation is grappling with security challenges, exacerbated by unemployment, state governors have chosen to swell, with such gusto, the teeming population of jobless Nigerians, leaving them exposed to terrorism, kidnapping, oil bunkering, robbery and other social vices that has eluded government ‘ban’ for many years.
In densely populated Asian countries and some other parts of the world, motorcycles are proper and recognised means of transportation. Their operations are regulated by the relevant traffic agencies. In most countries in Africa motorcycles are used for transportation.
On the contrary, it is corruption, dereliction and negligence of duty that needs an urgent clampdown! We need better roads. There must be concerted effort and synergy from the relevant law enforcement agents to reduce accidents on roads and protect lives and properties.
Theophilus Ilevbare ( theophilus@ilevbare.com ) reports.
*Photo Caption: An Okada rider. In the background are Kekes (tricycles)
[ Masterweb Reports ] - International elder statesman and former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was honored during a recent visit on June 12th, 2013 to University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee (UWM) where he was a guest speaker promoting future relations and strengthening of ties between UWM and African Nations. His Excellency President Obasanjo who has served severally as a United Nations and African Union envoy is internationally accredited as the first African Military head of state to hand over to a democratically elected government in 1979 where he assumed leadership of Nigeria after the assassination of the then Military head of state General Murtala Muhamed in 1976 and further served two terms as an elected Civilian President of Nigeria between 1999-2007. His Excellency Chief Obasanjo had a successful Military career retiring as General and has bagged numerous awards and Honorary Degrees from all over the world for leadership, social crusade and International advocacy for peace, human rights and development. President Obasanjo spoke to........ Read More
*Photo Caption - Enobong Umohette presenting pair of Boxing Gloves to President Obasanjo
[ Masterweb Reports ] - Firstly, the International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law, Nigeria; ably represented here in Washington DC, USA, by Comrade Emeka Umeagbalasi, wishes to appreciate, deeply, the invitation of its Chairman of the Board by the US Department of State, to participate in the internationally respected and prestigious International Visitor(s) Leadership Program for NGO Management in USA & related others. We appreciate, commend and congratulate the Department of State of the United States and Its officials, distinguished members of the ECA/PE/R/V and the FHI-360 Project teams, respected and reputable IVLP colleagues and all other institutions and persons involved directly or indirectly in the ennobled program scheduled to cover the US States and Cities ranging from Washington and Washington DC; Seattle, Louisville, Kentucky; Huntington and Birmingham, Alabama; East Lansing, Michigan; St. Louis, Missouri; to Denver, Colorado. We wish all the participants in the program and its organizers huge successes at the end. The program was opened on Monday, June 10 and expected to end on June 29. The leadership of Intersociety celebrates the nomination of its Chairman of the Board, Emeka Umeagbalasi as the only Nigerian nominated to join other 23 international personalities drawn from twenty-four countries around the world including........Read More
*Photo Caption - Map and Flag of Nigeria
[ Masterweb Reports ] - Nigerian lawmakers recently agreed to prohibit same sex marriages and even to prohibit any outward manifestations of same sex Love in public maintaining the ban on homosexuality –whilst the whole world awaits President Goodluck Jonathan(a Catholic Christian) to sign the bill into law many are moved to prayer & fastings at this great disastrous point in Nigeria’s Timeline. The prohibition has placed the Nation between the devil(who stands against Faith) & the deep blue sea (consequence of not following democratic processes). Whilst many feel that the stance for defeating the same sex marriage prohibition is a Human Rights one , I like many others believe that it is only through Religious arguments & discourse that we would successfully avoid this disastrous path for it is a Faith issue even a faith crisis, If GEJ signs it –it is a personal faith one & by not signing it is a democratic crisis one.
Muslims & Legalistic Christians (Christians that live under the Law of Moses as opposed to under Grace – the Law of Christ )hold the view that homosexuality (gays & lesbians) and cross dressers & Transgendered ( yan daudu etc) are abominable in the sight of God & are” a sin”. Christian LGBTs ( Lesbians Gays, Bi-Sexuals and Trans people including Cross dressers) yes there are “such people “and straight Christians under Grace agree that whilst it is true that God did ban it and stipulated under the Law of Moses that it must not be done see Leviticus 18:22, any Christian that is worthy of their salt and are truly under Grace will know that we are not to live under the Law . Hebrews 10 v 9 tells us Jesus’s mission statement , He came to abolish the first and establish the second. Hebrews states that because there was a change in Priesthood there was also a necessity of a change in the Law, Jesus changed the Law He said it in Mathew 22v37-40 where there are ONLY 2 Commandments to replace the 630 odd Laws given under the Law of Moses - 2 Corinthians 3:6 states that we are only to preach the new testament.
Christian LGBTs believe that Jesus died for them to be who they are , Galatians 3 ;13 states He became a curse for us and paid the penalty for our sins, not only did He do that but He took the law all the way out of the Way in the Change of Priesthood now where there is no law there cannot be any transgression! . Jesus is the only One that offers penalty free religion (He Redeeming us from the Curse of the Law became a Curse for us)He is the only Way.
For these reasons Nigerians should not advocate a ban and penalty on same sex marriages or homosexuality as Jesus paid the penalty and to do so would be a violation of Jesus ‘s Law and a fall from Grace - a Faith Crisis.
Whilst it is true many are not comfortable with same sex relationships , many people do want a policy of live and let live which is what Jesus basically also said.
As Christians we KNOW that EVEN if we felt that someone was sinning they are entitled to their sinning ways our job is ONLY to go and preach the Truth to them , if they say we should leave they don’t want to hear we are to obey that is the directive God gave us. We are not to use force “in convincing” as that is not faith in Him.
As Christians Same Sex relationships questions Christians faith in all denominations worldwide , what do you really believe? Do you believe that Christ abolished the law and established Grace ? that is the issue here - if you don’t believe that He did it would mean that one would still be in ones sin - If one does not accept that the Law of Moses is no more, the SACRIFICE that He is would not benefit one and that would be a great Crisis of Faith in Him and in what God has done.
Elizabeth F Obisanya reports. Elizabeth F Obisanya is a Born Again Christian film maker & lobbyist currently attached to the Human Rights and same sex marriage activist Peter Tatchell Foundation in London. She is a Masters Graduate of Goldsmiths College London, her film works include –Cashback paper or plastic©, DBW© The Trouble with Paul©, and more recently the Christian lesbian short film – Magda’s Lesbian Lover© She is a partner member of Creflo Dollar ministries ( US) and a member of the Inclusive Church in London. She lives in Royal Greenwich London.
*Photo Above – Map of Nigeria
[ Masterweb Reports ] - Bangalore East Division police had a harrowing time late Sunday night as a Nigerian foreign student attacked police. TG Krishna Bhat, deputy Deputy Commissioner of Police (east) said the incident occurred around 1.30 am when police was on night patrol near Louri School on Ring Road. Raghu, a police constable with Banasawadi Police Station was attacked by a Nigerian student when policemen intervened in a dispute between a group of Nigerian students on Kammanahalli Main Road.
Raghu and Dondaiah Hiremah were on night patrol when they received call that a group of foreign students under the influence of alcohol were causing public nuisance near a bar. They got to the scene around 11.45 pm and tried to disperse them, but the students picked up quarrel with them. One of them removed his belt, using it to flog Raghu. The constable suffered head injury from the attack. He was rescued from further injury by passers-by, including auto rickshaw (called “keke” in Nigeria) drivers.
Indian police said the incident would be dealt to the maximum provision of the law and the Nigerian government contacted for further action. “We will arrest the accused and will inform the authority of their country for further action,” Deputy Commissioner of Police TG Krishna Bhat said in a press statement.
*Photo Caption - TG Krishna Bhat, deputy Deputy Commissioner of Police (east)
[ Masterweb Reports: Philip Amiola reports ] - From the tides of terrorism that have reached a climax in Nigeria to the torrents of similarly horrifying tidings across the world, it will probably take a full time job to keep track of the tragic events that have become a normal part of our day-to-day life. I was badly shaken when I read of a 25-year old man in Ogun state, Nigeria who was accused of slaughtering his ex-girlfriend and having sex with the cadaver. In a similar development, a 48-year old British father has admitted slitting the throats of his son and daughter in the aftermath of a bitter divorce with their French mother. And just as I prepared this piece for publication, news filtered in from London – a British soldier has been killed in a savage assault after being stabbed and hacked with a knife and meat cleaver! Almost every day, someone somewhere exhibits some savagely cruel and depraved behaviour, putting the rest of humanity in jeopardy.
Whilst there is absolutely no justification for acts of violent extremism and terror, the pressure of social change and the resultant maladjustment could readily predispose generally responsible people to actions and behaviours which ordinarily, they wouldn’t have considered. Although most people would not take extreme actions like slitting someone’s throat or unleashing terror on the community, a good number have sought solace in self destructive habits in a bid to vent their frustration; and many more have contemplated suicide. According to World Health Organisation, suicide rates have increased globally by 60% in the last 45 years. Such alarming statistics!
We may not be able to analyse the facts of each case, but one thing is clear – these are precarious times. Over the past few decades, we have paid so much attention to global issues like terrorism, climate change and economic crisis while little or nothing is being done about the more personal issues of family life and community re-orientation, character development and value-based education. While it is vitally important that we address global problems, it is equally important that we tackle the more fundamental challenges of everyday life as personal transformation is the precursor for global development.
As I contemplated the oppressive and depressive waves of terror that have threatened to engulf us, I remembered the words of the German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche: “He who has a why to live, can bear almost any how." Then I realised that most people are simply going through the motions of everyday life without a clearly defined life mission and appropriate support systems to accomplish that mission. To this end, it is vitally important that we audit our lives from time to time. What are we really living for? How are we making the world around us better than we met it? What contributions are we making to humanity in general? Much more than ever before, we must consciously take charge of our lives as we accept personal responsibility for our happiness and self-fulfilment without violating the common good.
Recognising the fact that this life is not all there is, we must determine how our existence will impact positively not only on our immediate environment but also on our posterity. We must then create the right climate to actualise this as we develop the right attitudes, cultivate the right habits and form the right associations. My heart goes out to the families that have been affected by the horrendous trends, and I grieve with them. May we be strong enough to maintain a positive outlook regardless of the depressing circumstances.
Philip Amiola is a teacher, writer and campaigner of empowerment. He reports from Lagos, Nigeria and tweets from @PhilipAmiola.
*Photo Caption - An assault rifle. *One of the tools of evil in Nigeria and around the world.
[ Masterweb Reports ] - The Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor said that Governor Obi amazed the people of Anambra State on daily bases by his boundless energy, abundant goodwill and the number of projects he was executing in the State. He said this yesterday after receiving a cheque of N10m (Ten million Naira) being the concluding cheque for 2012 for the rehabilitation of St. Peter’s Secondary School, Achina.
The Bishop said that he had followed with interest the behavior of those in government when their tenure was nearing an end. He said that most of them became lethargic and unproductive as their entire thought process was being directed to life after government. On the contrary he said that Obi has proved opposite with barely a year to go, working tirelessly, productively and round the clock for the good development and progress of the State.
Reviewing the performances of the schools after their return to the church, the Bishop expressed satisfaction and commended Obi who made the visit possible. The Bishop said that the level of infrastructural revolution in Anambra schools today was proportional to the support and corporation the church gets from Governor Peter Obi.
The Bishop who noted that the impact of Obi’s development stride was felt in all sectors thanked him for the reconstruction of Ekwulobia-Nkpologwu-Achina road. He recalled that when the road project suffered set back a lot of people came to him complaining, but today the road has been completed from Ekwulobia to Achina with high quality. He said that none of those people who complained to him is yet to come either to commend the effort or even send a text message to him to thank Governor Obi for a job well done.
In his own remark, the Governor thanked the church for making their partnership with the government fruitful. He said that the last time he visited St. Peters’ Achina, it was poorer than a zoo but as at today the school was gradually being rebuilt. After inspecting the three completed blocks already rehabilitated, he expressed satisfaction that if the relationship between the church and government continues, Anambra schools will become true model.
Earlier the President General of Achina Town, Mr. Obinna Ezechukwu said that their community was short of words and he thanked the Governor for all the projects he is executing in the State. He said that the people of the area will forever remain grateful to Governor Obi under his administration the community for the first time has joined others to reap the dividend of democracy.
*Photo Caption - Gov. Obi (middle), with Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor ( 1st right), Chinecherem Ezenwobodo, David Ezendidika( 2nd left) and Comm. for Education, Uju Okeke ( 1st left), shortly after the Gov. Presented the cheque of 10 Million for the rehabilitation of the school.
[ Masterweb Reports ] - In few days time, Sun Newspaper will publish an interview that our source in the Sun Newspaper described as “explosive.” The interview, according to our usually reliable source, a journalist that works with the Sun newspaper, was conducted by the Sun correspondent with the son of Col. Emmanuel Nwaobosi, the Canadian trained Emmanuel Ike Nwaobosi.
Col Nwobosi, Ogene of Obosi, who was one of the 5 majors that staged the first coup in 1966, was the Chief of Staff to Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu until they parted ways. Our sources reveal that Col Nwaobosi is still till today not happy with the manner he was relieved of his appointment, but being very close to Ezeigbo, he decided to keep quiet. However, due to a sickness he is suffering from, which need urgent medical attention outside the shores of this country, his son, Canadian trained, has met many people to sponsor the father, but the result so far is not encouraging.
Victor Umeh, it was learnt, hearing about the plight of the man hatched a plan with Ifeanyi Ubah to use him as a political tool in exchange for financial support. Thus Victor Umeh paid the old Colonel a visit and after which he took him to Ifeanyi Ubah, who promised to help him provided he would talk to the press and demonise Gov. Obi and Bianca through interview.
All this while Victor is asking for Peace and reconciliation in APGA,makes one wonder what kind of peace he had in mind. Reasoning that it is better to stray from the path of rectitude a bit and stay alive, the Old, cunning Colonel decided to use his son for the interview. That was how Victor Umeh arranged a sun reporter to meet with him.
Our sources revealed that the interview took place for two days since the young man was given the freedom to continually review what he has said, add more things and remove some.
The interview which is already ready for publication is being delayed by what Sun newspaper thought as its libelous contents. Thus they have given it to their legal Adviser to go through.
*Photo Caption - Col Emmanuel Nwaobosi
[ Masterweb Reports: Godday Odidi reports ] – As 2015 approaches, many high-flying Deltans are enthusiastically showing intense interest of contesting for Delta state governorship election which the rally forces of supporters are at geometrical progression. Some political leaders within the state are now paying unscheduled political visits to effect their political agenda for 2015. Delta state has 25 local governments with just three ethnic geo- political zones, Delta north, Delta central and Delta south. Delta State is not different from Plateau state that has the same three senatorial districts but the latter has elected three of the senatorial districts into the governorship of the state while the former still operating in two district leadership only.
Over the years, Delta politics has been directly controlled by highly placed cabals in the state without any form of political intimidation or pressure. The resultant effect is that Delta state resources have been politically mismanaged by imposed and conscripted leaders who never sailed through the choice of Deltans but selected cabals of the state. Since the enthronement of democracy in 1999 when Delta central and Delta south occupied the position of the governorship through Chief James Ibori and Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan till date. Only few Deltans felt the present leadership of the state which the ruling political party (PDP) has decided to impose leaders on its people. Apart from the strong opposition party in the state as regards to Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), the state political leadership is divided into two as PDP1 and PDP2. Though PDP1 is formidable than PDP2 in the sense that the latter is the offspring of the DPP and nothing else. Some of the real PDP abandoned members would likely join the novel APC than remain extraneous in the state politics or otherwise. To some extent, Dr Uduaghan as the governor of Delta state since 2007 till date in spite of the re-run hiccups in 2011 against Chief Great Ogboru and others with high profile disparagement, he has able to bring some giant strides and dividends of democracy to Deltans through his three point agenda.
2015 is not far, the fact remains that many are greatly showing interest to contest for the governorship of the Delta state but the anointed political flagbearer has not emerge as the candidate for the great contest but the man to the seat has already be decided by powers that be. Even if the party primaries are contested, the man to occupy the position is already elected before the election in the ruling party. As far as a single party controls the state, the power to vote lies on the privileged cabals. The problem is that some political leaders within the state have succumbed to media to express their political grievances against each other without the foundational strategy to capture the state.Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan just recently appointed new Delta state electoral officers while waiting for INEC to announce the D-day for Delta state local government election which has been deferred for many a time while appointed impromptu caretaker committees to oversee the affairs of the local governments for almost two years and half without conducting a hitch free and fair election in the state. The delay in conducting free and fair local government election has given room for intellectual corruption in the state.
The long list of aspirants jostling for Delta 2015 indicated that the land is full of milk and honey while some are mere political jokers and others are serious-minded people who want to change Delta state leadership for better. Some of these self-styled aspirants are yet to impact their immediate environment positively rather want to go for such exalted position in the state than going for ordinary councillorship position. Delta state is blessed with human and capital resources, yet 45 percent of Deltans are living in object poverty, in spite of various poverty alleviation programmes to create jobs for Delta youths. Delta state population is estimated over 3million people while infrastructural developments are seen in some parts of the state. Isoko and Anioma people have been totally marginalized and limited to leadership position in the state. Though the Anioma people had over the years occupied the speakership of the Delta State House of Assembly while Isoko that has one of the largest clan in Delta State still having only two local governments and only occupied a speakership position once by Late Igbrude but was abruptly impeached from office. Dr EmmanuelUduaghan to some large extent has appointed some few Isoko people in key positions to commiserate the sufferings and agitation of Isoko nation over the years.
Come to think of those veritable and reliable people intended to go for Government House Asaba come 2015, some of these so-called aspirants have taken an unconvinced method of introducing kangaroo empowerment programmes to win the hearts of the innocent electorates. Some of these political contestants have no credibility of contesting for 2015 but decided to make the state ungovernable and intractable, if the need arises. Some of these political aspirants must be thoroughly scrutinized and examined before accepting them to come out for 2015. Barrister Festus Keyamo is one of the fiery and successful young lawyers in Nigeria whose credentials are intimidating and competent enough to be voted and qualified for the governorship position and still in his 40s. He is the pioneer of the Delta Forces United (DFU) that is already making great impact in Delta state with massive supporters from the three senatorial districts. He is prepared to change the leadership of the Delta come 2015 if allows by the dreaded cabals in state. Barrister Festus Keyamo does not believe or belongs to any cabal that detects the political structure in the state. If elections are properly conducted as free and fair, Festus Keyamo is unbeatable but some schools of thought have said that Festus Keyamo should go for Delta State House of Assembly first before governorship position but that is human imagination. Some assume that good human right activists do not make great leaders but that is a political error or assumption. Comrade Adams Oshiomhole never occupied any political position but was a labour activist and contested for Edo state governorship position in 2011 and won abysmally even when the PDP in the state stole his mandate but he reclaimed through the Supreme Court verdict. What a great victory?
Again Chief Edwin Clark is one of grandfathers of Delta politics who has running political battles with some powerful cabals in the PDP over the choice of governorship candidate since 1999.
He understands the political gimmicks of the state than anybody. He might likely have his own candidate that he wants to occupy the seat of Delta state. Chief Godswill Obielum is one of the strong aspirants in Delta state. He is a distinguished security Tzar, who has attained a most respected statesmanship status in the political circle both at the grassroots and in the national space. With his overwhelming credentials, he is resistible to beat in 2015. Hon Sam Obi is a revered man of God who has already manifested his qualitative leadership credentials in the most trying of circumstances. He has occupied the speakership of Delta State House of Assembly and as an Acting governor of Delta state. He is a man with visionary mindset to rule the state. Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei is a first class engineer with a suave, charming and sophisticated personality. Who exudes admirable confidence and charisma and whose leadership pedigree grows in leaps and bounds as 2015 approaches? Hon. Victor Ochei is the present speaker of Delta State House of Assembly and creative and innovative philanthropist of the 21st century.
Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru is one of the intimidating opposition candidates who almost sacked the present governor out of office. He belongs to Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and as a founding member and ready to take over power from the ruling party in the state which he described as cabals for corruption. Though he has contested many times but fails to win the seat of governorship due to undemocratic process and manipulation in the country. He is not a push over contestant in the system. Hon Godsday Orubebe is the present Niger Delta Ministry Affairs Minister under the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. He is one of those aspirants that belong to the camp of Chief Edwin Clark in the state. Being an apex minister in the country under the PDP platform gives him an edge over other aspirants but Delta state elections is not about popularity but ability to have digital networking through finance to get your stipulated votes and how you empowered Deltans positively as regards to leadership position acquires till date. Godsday Orubebe has the Mr. President backing for Delta 2015. He is from Delta central.
Clement Ofuani, a brilliant financial whizkid, whose unblemished public and private careers have defined him in the last of young and visionary post-modern leaders emerging globally. He is one the aspirants with creative vision to unseat ferocious cabals in the state. Senator Ifeanyi Okowa is presently in the National Assembly whose name has been penciled down for the seat of governorship in the state after Uduaghan’s led-government in 2015. He is a distinguished medical Doctor with clinical finesse and unparalleled experience in politics and administration garnered over the years. He is a capable of clinching the seat of power with high profile influence at the national and state levels. He is from the Delta North. Comrade Macaulay Ovuozourie is the present Delta State SSG and once a Commissioner for Power in the state. He is from Isoko and Delta south. He is one of the Isoko politicians who have greatly contributed to the political development of Isoko nation over the years. Though his political achievements are yet to be seen by avid electorates in Isokoland.He is one of the legally anointed sons of Isoko nation. He was once a notable labour activist to the core. He is an elite son of Isoko nation that deserves to be the next governor after Uduaghan. Chief Peter Okocha, a multi-millionaire businessman once contested for Delta governorship election against Dr. Uduaghan might likely come out for 2015 if the need arises. Other aspirants on the list are Prof Pat Utomi. Tony Elemelu, Ned Nwoko, Dr. Ngozi Iweala, Ndudi Elemelu, Omo- Agege, Chief Solomon Ogba, Hon. Leo Ogor, Ngozi Ulejeme, Professor Saliba Umukoro, Chief John Kpokpori, Hon . Obaro Unuafe and others.
Lastly, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has not indicated interest of contesting any office after Delta 2015 unlike other state governors that eye the National Assembly, though Delta election is still young to unveil political ambition now. It is time for the present governor to hand over to the choice of Deltans not cabals.
Godday Odidi, Public Affairs Analyst; 08058124798. 20 Oro Street Ajegunle Apapa Lagos.
*Photo Caption – Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State