2023: Group calls for unity, backs Atiku/Okowa, David Edevbie quest

By Nneka Glory Nwachukwu,

Ahead of the 2023 general elections,  a political pressure that style itself as Delta Unity Group has called for the unity and commitment of all Deltans to the success of the Atiku/Okowa PDP Presidential ticket as well as the Delta Governorship mandate of Olorogun David Edevbie in the 2023 General Elections.

The call is the highpoint of the communique issued by the group at its first General Assembly held in Kwale, the headquarters of Ndokwa West LGA, on Wednesday, August 17.

The Delta Unity Group, a convergence of long-standing, prominent and emergent leaders of the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) drawn from all Senatorial Districts, Federal Constituencies, State Constituencies and Local Government Areas across Delta State, stated that its objective is primarily to promote unity and brotherliness within the Peoples Democratic Party and among all Deltans for cohesive grassroots mobilisation towards the success of PDP candidates at all levels.

In his welcome address to members, the Protem Chairman of the group, Rt Hon Peter Onwusanya, one time Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly who also signed the communique explained that the Delta Unity Group is an all-inclusive and unifying force of all ethnic groups, political interest groups and component parts of Delta State, for the actualisation of a peaceful, united, modernised, industrialised and progressive Delta State.

“Specifically, the Delta Unity Group is geared to promote and protect the structure, image, ideals, ideology, interest and integrity of our great party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at all levels.

“We are all witnesses to the difficulties our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, is going through at this period of transition. As long-standing party faithfuls and leaders at various levels, we cannot stand and fold our hands to see the mother-goat suffering the pain of labour while tied to a stake.

“The birth of Delta Unity Group has therefore been necessitated by the need to support our party and our state to cross the bridge to usher our people into a glorious destiny driven by the Modernisation Agenda of our dear brother and leader, Olorogun David Edevbie, the PDP candidate for the elections next year.

“Added to that is the privilege of having our dear Governor, His Excellency, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, as the Running Mate to His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar in the forthcoming Presidential Election.”

Pointing out that the Atiku/Okowa and David Edevbie tickets at the Presidential and Governorship levels, respectively, are significant in the realisation of the destiny, development and growth of Delta State and therefore non-negotiable, he cautioned that “the actions or inactions of PDP faithfuls and Deltans at large may make or mar the hopes of the people.”

“It, therefore, behoves on us, as party leaders and faithful to come together to provide direction and strong support in promoting the unity of members and to galvanise greater strength towards mobilising not just members but the electorate towards diligently discharging the great tasks ahead to ensure the victory of all our candidates at all levels.”

Arising from these realisations, the group resolved to “fully support the HE Abubakar Atiku/HE Ifeanyi Okowa “Rescue Nigeria” Presidential ticket of the PDP and to work assiduously across Delta State, the Niger Delta and South-South Zone to ensure the victory of the party in the 2023 Presidential Election.”

The group declared that “without prejudice to the pending appeal over the candidacy of Delta PDP for the 2023 Governorship election,” it “stands firmly with Olorogun David Edevbie as the lawful and authentic candidate of the party in line with the unambiguous declarative judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and commits to ensuring the total victory of the PDP in the 2023 Governorship election.”

In this regard, it called on the national leadership of the PDP “to show a characteristic example in abiding by the Rule of Law and to promptly forward the nomination of Olorogun David Edevbie to the Independent National Electoral Commission in line with the subsisting order of the court, unless and until there is a contrary order.”

It also urged “all Deltans to embrace the Modernisation Agenda of Olorogun David Edevbie as the only sure manifesto for the sustainable socioeconomic development and growth of the state and the prosperity of all Deltans.”

While it called on leaders of Delta PDP at all levels to show greater commitment to the unity of the party and put its interest as paramount in all their interactions and activities,” it also “advised the State Chairman of the Party to always play the role of an impartial arbiter in the handling of all emerging disputes” and implored all party members, as well, to restrain themselves from making negative and provocative statements about the Party’s candidates at all levels in order to ensure unity, peace and sanctity within the Delta PDP family, as we work towards the overwhelming victory of all our candidates in 2023.”

In attendance at the DUG General Assembly are Protem Secretary, Comrade Michael Akpobire, former Executive Secretary, Delta State Technical & Vocational Education Board; Rt Hon Ossai N Ossai, Member, Federal House of Representatives; Rt Hon Monday Igbuya, former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and former Chairman of Sapele Local Government Council; Hon Chiedu Ebie, former Secretary to the Delta State Government; Professor Patrick Mobuoghare, former Delta Commissioner for Higher Education; Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, former Chairman Delta ALGON; Chief Morrison Olori; Chief Patrick Egone; Chief Henry Nzekwe; Hon Larry Ezechi; Hon Daniel Reyenieju; Dr Isaac Akpoveta; Timi Brisibe; Hon Dr Karo Ilolo; Chief Vincent Uduaghan; Chief Godwin Abigor; Chief Frank Omare; Hon John Greatman Chukwuka; Odio Berkely Asiafa; Chief Bright Oweikeyi; Mr. Stanley Odali; Chief Alade Odiri; Hon Fred Ofume; Hon Christopher Izu; Hon John Aleh, Hon Fred Ofume; Hon Christopher Izu; Chief Felix Ndukwe; Hon John Aleh; Hon Eloka Nwanze; Comrade Uche Osadebe, Ms Orode Uduaghan, Engr Ologe Elijah; Prince Walter Boyo; Comrade Ingo Isaiah Tam amongst numerous other political leaders from across Delta State.