The leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State, have declared support for the emergence of the governor of state in 2023 from the Ijaw nation. The PDP stakeholders from Aniocha North insisted on extending power rotation in the state beyond the three dominant groups which include the Urhobo, Iteskiri and the Anioma, to a fourth major group not initially in the scheme of power shift in Delta State, the Ijaw, considered the minority.
The Urhobo nation had taken their turn in 1999 when James Ibori emerged as Delta governor from Delta Central; then the Itsekiri which produced Emmanuel Uduaghan from Delta South, and the Anioma followed with the emergence of incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, from Delta North. The Ijaw nation fall into the territory of Delta South, which has been generating controversies in the buildup to 2023 general elections. The Urhobo of Delta Central are contending on the return of power to the zone while the Ijaw nation of Delta South also clamour to have a shot at the exalted office in the state.
The Aniocha North stakeholders in the PDP argued that clamour Delta State governor in 2023 by the Ijaw nation is appropriate.
Former Deputy Governor Benjamin Elue, on behalf of the PDP Leaders and stakeholders in Aniocha North Local Government Area, hosting a delegation of Delta Ijaw to a consultative meeting on the 2023 Governorship ticket, declared the support of the LGA for the Ijaw nation. The lobby team led by former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, at the consultative meeting at the Unity Hall, Issele Uku, revealed the continuation of their consultative visits to political leaders, elders, traditional rulers and ethnic nationalities, and other stakeholders, mobilizing support for the Ijaw nation in 2023.
Former Deputy Governor Elue had declared: “Your ambition to be governor in 2023 is justified, you have individual rights to do that but all the moves to actualise your ambition should be done in such a way that it will be peaceful, so that at the end, we will all remain one indivisible, united and peaceful Delta State. “..there will be no rancour in trying to agitate for what you consider your right.”
The former deputy governor maintained that Aniocha North Local Government Area and Delta North, the Anioma nation, have been dominated fully by the PDP since 1998. He insisted that the PDP has been the only viable party in the area. he solicited deeper cooperation between the zone and the Ijaw nation, noting that leaders are responsible for working out peaceful means of coexistence.
according to Elue, “Everything will be settled the way it is normally settled by our leaders; Leadership has steps. We shall come together to work for the best choice to retain Government House in Asaba by PDP.”
Leader of the Ijaw lobby team, former Minister of Police Affairs, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, disclosed that the Ijaw nation has joined the race for the 2023 governorship election in the state. He argued that it is inaccurate for a certain section in the state to claim that it is their turn to produce the 2023 governor. He said that their mission is to correct the inaccurate claim and make the record straight.
Broderick Bozimo had declared: “Our mission is to come and tell Deltans, particularly, stakeholders, that the Ijaws intend to throw their hat into the contest and nobody should go with the impression that we are not interested in that position.
“A certain section in our state has come out to say that it is their turn to produce governor come 2023. This is inaccurate and we felt that it is an inaccurate statement and if left unchallenged, you know falsehood left unchallenged for too long assume the dimension of truth.
“Our mission is to correct this falsehood. Though, those who peddle this story have since recant and admitted that from 2023, let zoning happen, and when it is done, no other zone should throw their hat to contest; no problem with that but to say that has been the practice is a fallacy which the Ijaw nation cannot leave unchallenged.”
Alaowei Bozimo had maintained: “three of our sons have indicated interest….the Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, Senator James Manager and Honourable Braduce Angozi.
“We are confident that we have what it takes to produce governor. The three of them are eminently qualified to govern Delta State.”
Broderick Bozimo, therefore, declared inter alia: “We are pleading, we cannot win without your support, politics is negotiation, by consensus and by recognizing that everybody has his own power.”
Other leaders and stakeholders in the Ijaw lobby group led by Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, include Basil Ganagana, Commissioner for Transport; Chief J.T Government, Chairman Delta State School of Marine Technology; Tonye Timi, former member Delta State House of Assembly; Joel Bisina, former Commissioner; Barr Newworld Safugha, former Commissioner; Chief James Nieketien (JP), SSA to the Governor; Prof. R.K Moruku, Admiralty University; Barr. Fred Owotorufa, Barr. David Ekereokosu, former Commissioner; Chief Roland Kemefa and Barr. Eric Omare, former President, Ijaw Youth Council.
Others include Dr Brodrick Tumbo, Novena University; Chief Johnny Aribogha, Chief Wellington Bobo, Mrs Felicia Orounagha, Amb Okporu Ebi Augustine, Bishop Godwin Soroaye, Stephen Zipamo, Patricia Asiyai, Barr. Francis Abulu, Gloria Okubodogha, Mrs. Abulu Racheal, Madam Felicia Gborgbor, Mrs. Fanty Goodness, Allan Egbegi, Madam Magret Ikimba, Juliet Andazi, Sagbegha Korokorosei, Funebi Numupeide, among others.
The stakeholders from the Aniocha North PDP who hosted the Ijaw nation lobby group include Chief Benjamin Elue, former Deputy Governor; Chief Nkem Okwuofu, Chairman Delta State Civil Service Commission, Ndudi Elumelu, Minority Leader, House of Representatives; Emeka Nwaobi, member Delta State House of Assembly; Kris Njokwuemeni, former lawmaker, Engr. Emma Eboh, Comrade Ifeanyi Egwuyenga, Commissioner for Youth Development; Prince Victor Egbune, Chairman PDP Aniocha North; Ifeanyi Osuoza PhD, PDP State Publicity Secretary; Chuks Oseme, former Chairman Aniocha North Local Govt Council; Mrs. Ada Kachikwu, Chairman, Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission; S.P.C Ariamaka, Ogbueshi Nnamdi O, Ibe Nwawole, Chief Val Okafor, including Councilors in Aniocha North Local Government Legislative Assembly led by Okonkwor Nwike, etc.