There is a strong crisis tearing the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) apart in Delta State.
This disunity has to do with, who between Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and Olorogun David Edevbie, the former Delta State Commissioner of Finance should be the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer in the 2023 polls.
Ahead of the 2023 polls, what was however supposed to be amity between the two forces has since turned to political enmity over the choice of the PDP governorship candidate.
Okowa, who has since parted ways with his godfather, is insisting on Speaker Oborevwori against Ibori’s anointed Olorogun Edevbie.
On May 25 in the Delta State capital of Asaba, with the active support of Okowa, despite denial, the Speaker Oborevwori scored 597 to best Ibori’s choice, Olorogun Edevbie who got the nod of only 113 delegates.
As a clear demonstration of his anger, Ibori has refused to congratulate Okowa since his emergence as running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the PDP.
Odidigborigbo, as the Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area born politician is affectionately referred to, brought Okowa up by hand politically right from 1999 when he appointed him Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources and later Health.
For the love of Ekwueme as Okowa is called by his supporters in the Igbo speaking Anioma part of Delta State, Ibori, before now was ready to go the full distance to ensure that he fulfilled his dream of being governor of the oil rich state.
Okowa warmed his way into the heart of Ibori when he followed his political path as a loyalist.
While away in the UK, he let out words in 2015 that the Owa, Ika North East Local Government Area born politician was his choice to take over the reins of power from Dr. Uduaghan. And so it was.
Piqued by the outcome of the primary, the ex-finance commissioner is currently challenging the victory of Oborevwori in the court over inconsistencies in his credentials and won the Federal High Court Abuja on July 5.
Following the judgment, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is insisting that the PDP has no candidate in Delta State next year’s governorship election.
Neither the name of Oborevwori nor Edevbie and their running mates featured in the list which was recently released by the electoral umpire.
The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Delta State, Monday Udoh-Tom insisted that there were presently no particulars of any candidate for PDP.
Udoh-Tom disclosed: “We have no particulars of any candidate for PDP as far as the governorship is concerned because they are in court. It is when the matter is determined that we will now have the particulars of one of them.
“You will recall that there was a court judgement that disqualified one of them, and he filed for stay of execution and also appealed the judgement.
“As a result, we cannot act on the case of the PDP for now until the Appeal Court delivers judgement.”
In fact, the end seems not to be in sight to the lingering crisis in the PDP in the state as Ibori, Uduaghan, Senator James Manager, Edevbie and other party big wigs were not present at the mega rally at Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of the state.
The embattled speaker put in an appearance at the rally but however did not speak, apparently for fear of the implications of contempt of court.
Before he left for the All Progressives Congress (APC) where he is currently the party’s governorship candidate, deputy senate president, Obarisi Omo Agege was rooted in Ibori Political Family and was Secretary to the State Government during the twilight of his administration in 2007.
Political pundits have for long predicted that the popular former governor will support Omo Agege should Edevbie ultimately lose out.
In fact, a source close to Ibori disclosed that Ibori is merely waiting for the outcome of the legal tangle as Oborevwori has gone on appeal, before making his next move.
The source who pleaded anonymity disclosed that the deputy senate president, who is still very chummy with the former governor is his Plan B and will work for his victory.
He added: “Ibori will never support Oborevwori. Edevbie is his first option but in the event that he loses, he will support Omo Agege who is a long-time friend and associate. Omo Agege was one of his Commissioners and later appointed him as Secretary to State Government. The bond is still there.
“The die is cast between Okowa and Ibori. It’s a titanic battle for supremacy in Delta State. Outside of government, Ibori’s large followers want to let Okowa know that Ibori is still master of the state. They feel that Okowa is an ingrate and is out to teach him a political lesson. Ibori has made it clear that he will not support Sheriff. He will rather support Omo Agege.”
In line with the old adage which holds that a house divided against itself is bound to come crashing down, if the governorship election is held in Delta State today, there’s every likelihood that the party will suffer a shocking defeat, analysts had said.
