By Sunday Apah
Leaders of the Delta Political Vanguard have agreed to work with the Delta Central 2023 lobby group for the actualization of a PDP governorship candidate of Delta Central extraction that would be acceptable to Deltans.
The group also urged the leadership of Delta Central 2023 lobby group to take their crusade to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa whom they expressed total loyalty for to key into the senatorial agenda.
Hon. Chief Michael Diden, (aka Ejele), Chairman, Delta Political Vanguard and Hon. Ifeanyi Oboigbe, Director General, Delta Political Vanguard, that spoke in same vein, told the leaders of DC-23 to work towards an acceptable candidate from Delta Central and not a foreigner.
They posited that the main objective of Delta Political Vanguard is wherever Okowa goes is where they shall go. “When we received your invitation to see us, most of us jettison all personal engagement for the visit because we held the DC-23 in high esteem.
“The meeting of DC-23 and DPV is of brothers because we are all serving the same master, the difference is that yours is Delta Central agenda and ours include the state. We all belongs to one fold. The only common enemy we have is anything that stands against PDP”, they added.
They appealed to members present not to be worried as whatever that has happened and still happening was normal. “Since both DC-23 and DPV are now one, anytime we call on DC-23, you should also answer us because wherever Okowa goes that is where we will all go”.
Earlier, National Chairman of Delta Central 2023, Chief Senator Ighoyota Amori in his speech told the leadership and members of DPV present that what they did with the constitution of DC-23 lobby group was not new in the state as in the past there was G3, Anioma Agenda and Equity Group.
“We felt that since it is our turn to be governor come 2023, we needed a group to drive the process, hence the birth of DC-23. So what DC-23 is doing is replication of what G3, Anioma Agenda and Equity Group did in time past.
“The PDP believes that the only way it can continue to win election is by following senatorial rotation which started in 1999 to 2007 for Delta Central, thereafter 2007 to 2015, Delta South and now 2015 to 2023, Delta North.
“Assuming the contest was opened, I don’t believe that it could have been only Ijaw that will show interest. Isoko, Ndokwa, Itsekiri and others could have also be in the race.
“The fact that other tribes in the state are not contesting doesn’t mean that they are lazy or they don’t have the resources to contest but they have understanding that it should go to where it started from.
“Although the Ijaws have their argument for the governorship seat likewise the Urhobos but we can’t talk of zoning on ethnic lines because the state is made up of various ethnic groups, hence the appeal for us to maintain the zoning arrangement on senatorial districts order.
“We want to establish a sustainable system where when it gets to your turn no one from another senatorial district can contest with you. So the argument that Urhobo or other ethnic groups contested during the turn of other senatorial districts will no longer be there. That was why all those who went against senatorial district rotation order, failed”, he added.
Leaders and members of DC-23 that went for the visit include Chief Ighoyota Amori, National Chairman, Hon. Solomon Ighrakpata, Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Chris Oharisi, National Secretary, Olorogun Andrew Orugbo, National Legal Adviser, Olorogun Arthur Akpowowo, National Publicity Secretary, Chief Sunday Apah, Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Philomena Ededey, Assistant National Welfare Officer, Chief Christian Onogba, Assistant National Organizing Secretary, Hon. Chief Peter Uviejitobor, Assistant National Welfare Officer, Chief Anthony Akpomiemie, National Auditor and Jennifer Oma Adasen, Ex-officio.
Others are Barr. William Etubiebi, Chairman, BoT, Chief Bernard Edewor, Deputy Chairman, BoT, Chief (Mrs.) Margret Unukegwo, Chief Ejaife Odebala, Former House of Assembly member, Rt. Hon. Lovette Idisi, Former House of Representatives member, Representatives of Olorogun Kenneth Okpara, Representatives of Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Afie Ogheneovo, James Otubu and many others.
Leaders of Delta Political Vanguard that where on ground to receive DC-23 were Hon. Chief Michael Diden (aka Ejele), Chairman, Hon. Ifeanyi Oboigbe, Director General, Chief Askia Ogieh, Deputy Chairman, Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas, Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Patrick Ukah, SSG, Hon. Joan Onyemaechi Mrakpor, Prince Kelly Penawou, Hon. Asupa Forteta, Hon. Chief Eunice Daji Okoh, Hon. Daniel Mayoku, A. K. Osawota, Chief Charles Ufuoma Obule, Dr. Ossai Ochonogor, Chinoye Aliyu, Sanco Ese, Suru Destiny Diden, Dr. Mrs. Shemite Bello, Hon. Anthony Edafiogho, Mrs. Eunice Anbisa, Shemi Ogades, Goodluck Mukoro, Sunny Ighokena, Hon. Onovughakpor Ogheneruemu, Chief Pius Ovbije, Engr. F. Omatseye, Chief Tony Oboroh, Hon. Igho Akpojotor, Monday Onyeme, Uchebenu Nicholas, Monday Edemivwiege, Hon. Solomon Afinoton, Okpako Doctor, Engr. Akpi Doctor and many others.