By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq
It must be appreciated that the ongoing battle over who succeeds incumbent governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, is yielding positive results in terms of sustainable decorum and adherence to the rules of the game.
No war of words by stakeholders and aspirants have been recorded. This is due largely to the manner with which the state party leader and governor, Senator Okowa, have been managing and directing the affairs of the party in collaboration with the State Party Chairman, Barrister Kingsley Esiso and other leaders across the three Senatorial Districts.
The duo and the state party leaders have been neutral in all matters relating to the conduct of party primaries especially by assuring stakeholders and contestants of free, fair and credible party primaries.
This level of neutrality prompted aspirants to embark on robust consultation visits to leaders and delegates across the twenty five local government areas to lobby for votes. It is also obvious that all the contestants have confidence in the leadership and the entire process.
It is indeed a herculean task and capital intensive to aspire for the office of governor of any state in Nigeria, which is why serious aspirants must of a necessity take some critical steps to align and realign with individuals and groups to guarantee victory at the primaries.
Multifaceted lobbying of delegates and leaders for votes is required, even among aspirants to reduce the number of contestants before the party primaries. It is never a sign of weakness or unpreparedness for some aspirants to on their own or through Senatorial or federal constituency arrangements step down for one another.
It is healthy, reasonable and very well encouraged for aspirants to step down for one another, so as to bridge the unnecessary gap, more particularly to give room for the most popular and generally accepted candidate to emerge.
We have seen one of such healthy development recently in Okpe Kingdom, where one of her illustrious sons, Chief James Augoye, the Agadagba of Okpe Kingdom, a political scientist and former Commissioner for Works, took a bold step and did the needful to upscale Okpe’s chances.
He shifted ground for the sake of Okpe unity, dropped his governorship ambition and fused his political structure in full support of Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori’s governorship candidacy. You can’t beat the Okpes, visionary and pragmatic.
This important decision by Chief Augoye obviously sent a strong signal to other aspirants in the race that Okpe Kingdom is serious, determined, formidable and united to grab this golden opportunity starring her in the face.
Augoye must have considered the weights of high ranking personalities and powerful political pressure groups behind Oborevwori’s governorship project, and as such decided to sacrifice his personal ambition for his brother, another Okpe illustrious son and Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Oborevwori to double his speed to Government House Asaba, come 2023.
Okpe Kingdom and indeed OSU Federal Constituency deserves commendation for putting their house in order. This is a very good example of “give and take” in politics wherein alliances are formed across board to achieve a common purpose that will be beneficial to majority of the people.
Okpe Kingdom and Chief Augoye got it right. It is perfect and honourable by all standards. It also revealed the quality of rulership in the kingdom as offered by His Imperial Majesty, Orhue the First, Maj. Gen Mujakperuo, Rtd, the Orodje of the great ancient Okpe Kingdom. Long may His Royal Majesty reign!
Of a truth, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, is pulling the needed political weight and structures to emerge as the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State.
This glaring fact can be deduced from the calibre of personalities currently championing Oborevwori’s guber ambition. His consultation convoy has increased from 100 vehicles barely two weeks ago to over 2,000 vehicles and still counting. It is simply awesome.
Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori is the real DEAL.
Look no further, be SHERIFFIED.
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