The three senatorial districts in Delta State – Delta Central, Delta North and Delta South – have been drawn into the political boardroom for negotiation of the governorship ticket of the dominant political party for the 2023 elections. The tenure of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa completes the first circle of power rotation in the state.
The first governor of the state in the contemporary democratic dispensation, James Ibori, emerged from Delta Central Senatorial District dominated by the Urhobo nation – 1999 to 2007. He was succeeded by Governor Emmanuel from Delta South Senatorial District -2007 to 2015 – which has a mixed population of Itsekiri, Ijaw, Urhobo. Uduaghan was of the Itsekiri nation. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa emerged the third governor from Delta North – 2015 to 2019, to …, which has a collective population of the Anioma nation.
Apparently, Delta State in 2023 would have 24 years of successful power rotation between the three senatorial districts, each serving eight years of two tenures.
The Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) has been agitating for power rotation to Delta Central in 2023. Other groups from the Ijaw nation are also demanding a power shift to Delta South after the second tenure of Governor Okowa in 2023.
A stakeholder in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta North, Alex Okunbor, argued a fortnight ago for power-shift to Delta South; adding that the demand for power shift to Delta Central is selfish, self-centered, and unpatriotic. He maintained that political actors in Delta Central never believed in power shift, noting that they have always contested in every election since 1999.
Okunbor emphasized that the emergence of incumbent Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa at the PDP primary, and his victory in the 2015 governorship election, were because Okowa had the best credentials among the contestants.
Okunbor reiterated that Delta Central has always sponsored candidates for governorship elections both in the PDP and other political parties in the state since 1999.
The PDP stalwart pointed out that Delta Central has governed the state for about ‘18’ years – Felix Ibru, 2 years; James Ibori 8 years; he added Uduaghan, who has maternal origin in Delta Central, 8 years.
Okunbor, therefore, declared that “for equity and justice in Delta State, power should go to the Ijaws in Delta South who were shortchanged in 2007.”
He noted that Delta South never chose their candidate in 2007, saying that Uduaghan, a cousin of Ibori, Delta Central, was imposed on Delta South by Governor Ibori after he failed to impose his godson from Delta Central, meeting stiff resistance from Delta North and Delta South.’
He stated that the Ijaws are the majority in Delta South.
Okunbor insisted that Ibori was forced to withdraw his support for his godson, David Edevie, and adopted his cousin, Emmanuel Uduaghan, from Delta South.
The PDP stakeholder reaffirmed that for equity and fair play, he will support the Ijaws of Delta South, disclosing that they are dependable ally of Delta North.
He stated that Delta North has enjoyed the political goodwill of Delta South over the years.
He declared that the time has come for Delta North to also support Delta South for 2023.
Okunbor also recalled that Delta Central has been voting for opposition party since 1999; noting that the Great Ogboru won majority votes in Delta Central in 2007, 2011 runoff and 2011 general elections; adding that Ogboru nearly won the district in 2015 and was sponsored to supreme court after the 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019 elections.
He admonished that “the leadership of PDP in Delta North and Delta South must understand that come 2023, Delta Central will cast their votes for APC so long the party field the current frontrunner, whether PDP picks it’s candidate from the zone or not.”
He asserted that “they have done it before, and they will do it again and again.”
He further pointed out that “Delta Central rely on votes from Delta North and South to remain relevant in the state’s politics;” adding that the PDP left alone, lost woefully to the opposition in important elections in the district.”
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, is in the race for the 2023 governorship election. He is from the Ijaw nation of Delta South.
There are other governorship aspirants like David Edevie, Gbag, etc. from Delta Central.
The deputy senate president, Ovie Omo-Agege, of Delta Central, has been identified to be in the race for 2023 governorship election on the APC platform.