The crisis rocking the Delta state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) shows no sign of abating as former governors of the state: Chief James Ibori and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, as well as Senator James Manager, Governorship aspirant, Olorogun David Edebvie were all absent from a rally organised to welcome some new members into the party.
During the mega rally which held at Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state received a notable Chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) in the State, Chief Fred Obe and other decampees from across the local government areas in the state into the PDP’s fold.
While the party welcomed new members into its fold, the celebration was marred by the absence of Ibori, Uduaghan, Manager and Edebvie.
The four chieftains of the PDP have been ignoring party functions for a while. The New Diplomat had reported that the development is not unconnected with the outcome of the primary election.
While Okowa favours Sheriff Oborevwori to succeed him, Ibori has been rooting for Edevbie since the primary as the war between Okowa and Ibori has denegrated into a legal war.
Despite the ongoing crisis, Okowa while addressing the members of the PDP dismissed the seeming disagreements rocking the party in the state over the outcome of the party’s governorship primaries.
The governor said there is no cause for alarm, adding that what is going on in the party is a normal democratic process.
He said: “I hear some people say that PDP is dying in Delta State. How can? Why are they deceiving themselves?” emphasizing that “Whatever is going on in the party as at today is a normal democratic process; no cause for alarm, no cause to worry, no cause to fear.”
Speaking further, Okowa expressed optimism that the PDP would win the presidential and all elective positions in the state in the 2023 general elections.
“It is just the beginning of the revolution to rescue Nigeria and to return us back to the path of growth because in the last seven years, it has not been too well with us as a nation, but we know that God has come to our rescue, it is just for the PDP to take it and to run with it and that sign has already started.
“I am sure that Saturday, you people listened and you watched and you waited for the result in Osun state. Because we went to the hitherland of the APC in Youruba land to make a statement to God be the glory.
“They did not give PDP a chance; people thought it was something else, it was a done deal but God showed his mighty hands and when the result started coming, it was unfortunate for the APC.”
“That is just the beginning and I must tell Nigerians who have come to realize that something has gone wrong and that we need rescue and there is only one party that can rescue Nigeria and it is the PDP,” he added.
