Delta 2023 Guber: We will not go against zoning, PDP Ika North East leaders assure DC-23 

By Unue Emeka,

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State have assured the people of Delta Central Senatorial district that they will not go against exiting zoning arrangement by going in the opposite direction when they will take the decision on 2023 governorship in the State.

The Ika North East political leaders made this known when the Delta Central 2023 (DC-23) lobby group paid a consultative visit to them at Owa Alero, Boji Boji Owa, Delta state on Wednesday.

Former member of Bendel State House of Assembly, Chief Ignitius Agidi who spoke on behalf of the Ika North East leaders, said the PDP in the local government area and Delta State is one strong united family because the leaders have never disappointed them, and they trust that they will never disappoint them on the 2023 governorship in the state.

According to him, “we want to assure you that the PDP in Ika North East Local Government Area will never go in opposite direction because our leader, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who is not only a celebrity in Delta state here but also at the national and international levels will do the needful”.

“He is recognised as a man of conscience, he is dispassionate especially when it comes to taking decisions. All we want to appeal for is that the PDP under Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is strong and is moving forward.

“We appeal to you to support him to enable him to finish stronger. We know that PDP is trying in Delta State and it will take over at the National level. Our leaders in Delta state are always at the forefront, and our governor being the Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, we are convinced and you will also agree with us that he has never missed a step in any agreement.

“We are not the type of people who renege in agreement. We believe that the best is the only thing that is good for Delta State. In everything count on us, our governor and Ika North East will always do what is necessary and expedient at any point in time”, he added.

Earlier, the National Chairman of DC-23, Senator (Chief) Ighoyota Amori, stated that the body was a lobby group made up of card-carrying members of the PDP in the Delta Central Senatorial District to lobby support for the governorship seat for the district in 2023.

He noted that the DC-23 was not different from the G-3 of the Delta South Senatorial District that was formed to drive the process of election of immediate the past governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and the Anioma Agenda that was formed in 2014 to propel the process of election of the current governor of the state, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa.

According to him, “those who want to contest against the aspirants of Delta Central Senatorial district have their argument for the governorship seat, likewise us, but we can’t talk of zoning on ethnic lines because the state is made up of various ethnic groups like Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Ika, Ndokwa, Oshimili, Aniocha and few others; hence, the appeal from us is to maintain the zoning arrangement on the basis of senatorial districts in the state.”

“It is only zoning on senatorial district order that the PDP can continue with its winning streak in the state. So we want to establish a sustainable system where when it gets to the turn of your senatorial district, no one from other senatorial districts will contest against the benefitting district. So, the argument that Urhobo or other ethnic groups contested during the turn of other senatorial districts will no longer be there”, he added.

He pointed out that the DC-23 was not lobbying or campaigning for any particular aspirant, but to ensure that the governorship seat moved to the Delta Central Senatorial District in 2023 on the platform of the existing zoning for the seats in the state.

He appealed to PDP leaders of Ika North East Local Government Area to support the DC-23 push for zoning arrangement on senatorial districts in order to enhance the chances of the PDP continuing in the governance of the state beyond 2023.

Those that received DC-23 leaders and members included Rt. Hon. Chuks Agboma, Chairman, PDP, Ika North East LGA, Dr. Festus Goziem Okunbor, Bishop Triumph Osian, Prince Kingsley Efeizomor, Chief Frank Nwugo, Chief Ignitius Agidi, Victor Ebonka Esq., Chairman, Ika North East Local Government Council, Hon Emeke Elekeoukwuri, member representing Ika North East Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Anslem Nwokenye, DESOPADEC Commissioner, representing Ika nation, Reuben Mgbodi Esq., Francis Ebonka, serving councillors, PDP ward executive, Supervisors and many others.

While leaders and members of DC-23 that went for the visit included Chief Ighoyota Amori, Williams Etubiebi Esq., Chairman BoT, Olorogun Bernard Edewor, Deputy Chairman, BoT, Dr. Chris Oharisi, National Secretary, Olorogun Taleb Tebite, National Financial Secretary, Olorogun Barr Arthur Akpowowo, National Publicity Secretary; Chief Christian Onogba, Assistant National Organising Secretary; Hon. Godwin Atose, National Organising Secretary, Hon. (Chief) Sunday Apah, Assistant National Publicity Secretary; Hon. Festus Pemu, Assistant National Publicity Secretary; Engr. Matthew Tsekiri, Assistant National Secretary, Deacon Raymond Edijala, Assistant National Treasurer, Mr. Austin Opubor, National Welfare Officer, Mrs. Philo Ededey, Assistant National Welfare Officer, Ms. Elohor Urhobe, Assistant National Women Leader.

Others are Chief Ejaife Odebala, a former member of Delta State House of Assembly; Chief A. K Osawota, Chief Mrs. Margret Unukegwo, Engr. Eric Osiobe, Hon. Onoriode Ishegbe, Mr. Godfrey Etabuko, Ms. Noreen Ughojor, Chief Solomon Oturu, Chief Collins Eboh and a host of others.