Fidel Njamanze has gathered from a reliable source that another political crisis is brewing in Delta state over the chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ndokwa West Local Government Area.
Report says that stakeholders in the local government area on Saturday rejected Mr. Ifeanyi Osakwe, purportedly anointed by a former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori. They also described him as a stranger.
The leaders who appealed to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and the State Chairman of the Party, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi to halt the imposition of a chairmanship candidate on the people of Ndokwa West, attributed their position on the poor performance of Osakwe in the senate, particularly his inability to attract dividend of democracy to the area and his failure to empower or create jobs for the people.
Speaking to newsmen in Kwale on behalf of the protesters, Barrister Nduka Benson, Mr. Nduka Omede among others, said the planned imposition of a candidate by Senator Osakwe was not acceptable, saying that all the aspirants should be given a level playing ground to test their popularity at the PDP primary elections.
According to them, the imposition of any candidate against the will of the people could lead to violence and unimaginable crisis, adding that imposition of candidates was a negation and violation of PDP's stand on free, fair, credible and transparent primary elections.
They reiterated their unalloyed support for Governor Uduaghan and Chief Peter Nwaoboshi and appealed to them to use their good offices to prevail on Senator Osakwe to retrace his steps to avoid crisis in Ndokwa West Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, Aniocha people at home and abroad have been urged to embrace politics anchored on credibility, competence and ability to deliver the dividend of democracy to the people.
Making the call in Ogwashi Uku, a group under the umbrella, Aniocha Leaders of Today said “the next governor must be a person with articulate vision and unquestionable credibility”.
The leaders who described Ngozi Olejeme as the best hand for the governorship job in 2015 said the NSITF boss built a strong and purposeful relationship among the various communities in Anioma.
“Dr. Ngozi Olejeme stands out of the pack of pretenders, traders and contenders. She is a large hearted philanthropist, a reputable humanist, a God fearing individual and a very successful woman, whose success flows not from her material possession but from the many lives she has touched in the state with her love and kindness” the leaders said.
According to a statement by the National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Michael Uwechie, the leaders said “Olejeme’s ambition is vital to the development of the state”.
“She is coming to serve and not to make money” the statement said.
The leaders appealed to the governor of the state, the chairman of the PDP at the state level and other chieftains of the party not to do a great disservice to the people by working against Olejeme’s interest.
The statement also reminded the people to be careful of those who claimed to be in the governorship race, yet fixed their pockets by blackmailing other aspirants.
“Olejeme is eyeing the governorship job to develop the people and the entire place” the statement said.
“Olejeme has a very bright chance of winning the governorship election. She is the best in terms of her track records and pedigree” the statement added.
By Fidel Njamanze