The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives
Congress (APC) and Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) aspirants are jostling for
the Senate in the Delta Central District. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL
OLADESU examines their strengths and weaknesses.
The 12 senatorial aspirants are household names in Delta
State. They are more popular in their senatorial district, Delta Central,
because of their involvement in community work, track record of excellence in
their professions and philanthropic activities. Although the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not fixed a date for the bye-election,
the campaigns are intense.
The seat became vacant on June 30,following the death of the
charismatic politician, Senator Pius Ewherido, who represented the zone on the
platform of the PDP. He was the only DPP senator out of 109 senators. The
deceased hailed from the Urhobo ethnic group. In fact, Urhobo constitute the
Delta Central District. Therefore, the election is an Urhobo affair. Ewherido’s
kinsmen believed that he was a good representative of the race and district in
the Upper Chamber. Thus, his death was mourned by them during the valedictory
session organised by the Urhobo Progressives Congress (UPC).
Apart from the DPP, which is working assiduously to retain
the seat, the PDP and APC are also not relenting in their efforts to fill the
slot. They parade good credential. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has told the PDP
aspirants to go to the field to canvass for support, promising to be neutral.
The aspirants from the DPP include Mr. Ede Dafinone, Chief Richard Odibo and
Chief Napoleon Gbinije. The senatorial election is very important to the DPP.
If it retains the seat, it will be a boost to the career of its leader, Chief
Great Ogboru, a veteran governorship candidate. He has managed to keep his
support base intact, despite the vicissitudes of politics.
The PDP aspirants are Chief Ighoyota Amori, Chief Ovie
Omo-Agege, Chief Emmanuel Aguriav-wodo, Chief Fred Majemote, Mr. Solomon Edoja,
Mr. Andrew Oru and Chief Maxmiller Orido. It has been painful to the PDP
chieftains in the Central District that the seat had eluded them since 2011.
Therefore, they are putting in more efforts to win the slot. However,
post-primary crisis may polarise their ranks. For now, there are two APC
aspirants. They are Chief O’tega Emerho and Mr. Festus Keyamo. More aspirants
may still emerge.
Amori
He is one of the respected leaders of UPC. He is an
experienced politician. Between 1999 and 2007, Amori was the Commissioner for
Education in the state. The UPC leader is currently the Political Adviser to
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. His peers are Seantor Ifeanyi Okowa and Senator
James Manager. In 2011, he was a strong contender for the seat in the PDP. But
the opportunity slipped away because Ewherido got the peoples’ support. It has
been Amori’s ambition to be a Senator, but his ambitionnhas divided his ethnic
group again. Some have approached him and appealed to him to jettison the
aspiration. But the consummate politician has said that he will not withdraw
from the race. He explained that those interested in the race had been advised
to come for the UPC’s assessment. Amori exuded confidence, saying that he will
win at the PDP primaries.
UPC is a powerful and influential group and sources said
that the association may support the PDP during the poll, based on mutual
conditions. However, the unions’ Youth leader, Jaro Egbo, said that it may be
difficult to market the Special Adviser. He warned that a situation whereby
five Urhobo are in the race in the PDP may breed acrimony, adding that an
unpopular candidate may emerge, owing to vote split. He said, if the PDP fails
to put its house in order, APC or DPP may snatch victory.
Omo-Agege
Omo-Agege is a former Commissioner for Special Duties and
Secretary to Government. He emerged as the SSG when he lost the PDP primaries
to Uduaghan. Under former Governor James Ibori, he was an Executive Assistant.
In Delta, it is common knowledge that Obarisi Omo-Agege has governorship
ambition. But the Urhobo elders may have drafted him into the race.
The politician has a solid background in ethnic politics,
his late father, Justice James Omo-Agege, being the brain behind the creation
of new wards in Urhoboland. He was a community patriot when he was alive. His
son continued in his shoes as a defender of the race. In fact, he used his
connection to influence many projects in the district as a close ally of Ibori.
While declaring his ambition in an advertorial, he said he had joined the race
to serve his people.
But there are some people who feel that Omo-Agege is an
inconsistent and desperate politician. They recalled that he had defected to
the defunct Action Congress (AC) to fight for the governorship in 2011, but
failed. Following that political misfortune, he retraced his steps. His
followers were confused. Some of them went back, but some remained in the
opposition. The AC family was pained by his exit. They felt that he should have
continued to build the party and position himself for future electoral
onslaught.
Aguriavwodo
He is a rich politician. The former House of Representatives
member had served as the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development
Commission. During his tenure, he facilitated the siting of many projects to
the Urhobo communities. The feeling among his supporters is that he should be
compensated with the seat.
Majemite
He is a veteran senatorial contender. The former
Commissioner for Lands, Surveys and Urban Development vied for the position in
2003, but lost to the more experienced Olorogun Felix Ibru. Currently, he is
one of the governor’s political advisers. Ten years ago, he had indicated
interest in the race. He has the structure and networks. But the former UPC
leader, the late Chief Benjamin Okumagba, prevailed on him to step down for
Ibru. Justifying his ambition, Majemite said: “I know the needs of our people.
As a lawyer, I know the law making process. I am going there to position the
Urhobo in the main stream of Nigerian politics and give them a voice in the
Senate”. Some PDP leaders, who are pushing for a consensus candidacy have
Majemite in mind. However, it appears that the aspirants will have to slug it
out at the primaries.
Keyamo
Lagos lawyer Keyamo is a civil rights activist and
anti-corruption crusader. He learned law and activism at the feet of the
legendary luminary, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN). He is bold and brave.
Few months ago, he had joined the governorship race. He said that he was on a
rescue mission. However, Keyamo unfolded his senatorial ambition, following
Ewherido’s death. He said he would radicalise the Senate, if voted as a
senator. Recently, the lawyer claimed that he had been endorsed by party men.
His rival disputed it. He has a hurdle to cross, which is the primaries. He is
new in politics, although he claimed that he now has a solid structure. If he
wins the race, he will face PDP and DPP candidates at the poll. Many agree
that, if Keyamo becomes a senator, he will be an outstanding legislator in the
Upper Chamber.
Edoja
Edoja is a member of the House of Representatives. He is a
former Adviser on Inter-Party Relations and Commissioner for Special Duties. A
great urhobo son, he is popular among the youths and market women.
Dafinone
He is the son of the great Urhobo leader, Senator David
dafinone. He lost the tocket to the deceased politician in the DPP in 2011.
Dafinone is an accomplished accountant and businessman like his illustrious
father. Recently, a group of elders endorsed the board guru, claiming that he
understood the problems and needs of the district.
Odibo
Odibo is a grassroots politician. He is versed in Delta
politics. The politician has worked for the success of governors, senators,
House of Representatives members and council chairmen. He is very active on the
field as a strategist.
Gbinije
He is a former federal legislator under the PDP. But in
2007, he left the party after losing the primaries to Joyce Overah. Since then,
the businessman has been a member of the DPP.
Emerhor
The banker and insurance magnate is a force to be reckon
with in the race. Since registration of the APC, he has been up and doing,
mobilising support and wooing many people into the fold. He is experienced,
matured and accommodating to party members.
0 comments:
Post a Comment