Delta 2023: Who takes the crown, APC or PDP?

By Joseph Onajevwe

The politics of 2023 has started in earnest. The politicians are at it again. The question on everybody’s lips is who succeeds Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in 2023? Will the PDP retain power or a new power bloc will emerge to alter calculations and enthrone a new order? Will the status quo be maintained for another 4 or 8 years? What are the factors that could change the dynamics of political relationships in Delta state for a new order to berth? What are the chances of the characters that are interested in the 2023 push? Who takes the crown in 2023?

These are questions begging for an answer. The beautiful thing about politics is that by May 29, 2023, barring any unforeseen circumstance that may foreclose the conduct of the coming elections, a new set of leaders would take over in 2023. The drum beats are assuming a frightening dimension. Insecurity is on the increase. The clamour for self-determination is deafening and spreading like wildfire. Nobody knows what will happen next. Whether Nigeria would be one into 2023 or not nobody can say with all certainty. The eastern and western blocs of Nigeria are singing the music of war. The dance steps are weird. The people of southern Nigeria are clamouring for restructuring. Nigeria has not known peace for some time now. All these are indicators of a troubled political space with severe consequences.

In the midst of the noise and unhealthy rivalry in Nigeria, the politicians are warming up to take over power at the next turn of elections. In Delta State, all eyes are on Delta Central. Except for a few personalities from Delta South, most of the aspirants are from the central district populated by Urhobos of Delta state. Those interested in the job of Ifeanyi Okowa include Chief Festus Agas, Sheriff Oborevwori, James Augoye, Peter Mrakpor, Kenneth Gbagi, Fred Majemite and a handful of others. Amongst the aspirants are serious and unserious ones who are so tagged because of their exploits in the field. Who wears the crown is the question begging for an answer.

One thing is clear, by 2023, one of these men will be governor of Delta state.

The argument in some quarters is that the Okpe/Uvwie/Sapele federal constituency has not produced the governor of Delta state at any time and should be considered. The Udu/Ughelli federal constituency is of the opinion too that it should be their turn. Olorogun Felix Ibru, who was governor in 1991/1992, a period of fewer than two years on the SDP platform, represents the only taste of the juicy office that can be credited to the Ughelli/Udu people. Is that what could be taken into account as the turn of the Udu/Ughelli people? Is that not an insult to say an 18-month stint is the lot of Udu/Ughelli while the rest are entitled to 8 years? This writer believes that the argument being carried by the OSU Movement cannot be enough of a factor to consider the OSU federal constituency, rather the position should be open to all because the Udu/Ughelli federal constituency will take the said posture as demeaning of their worth.

Politics is a game of intrigue at any time. Several factors would be put into consideration in determining the next governor of Delta State. These include the temperament of the candidate, the contacts and connections available to the aspirants, the financial war chest, the political environment he operates from and the need to balance the interplay of forces with the opposition APC that are threatening fire and brimstone in the state, relationship with the incumbent, pedigree and personal political force and previous results, vertical and horizontal relationships with the powers that be among many other factors. Governor Okowa of the PDP will not allow the party ticket to fall into the hands of a neophyte who cannot deliver. Okowa has his role to play but the candidate himself must work hard too to be able to deliver.

The interesting thing about the whole setup is that at the end of the day, a governor must emerge to take over from Governor Okowa in 2023. The PDP is doing everything possible to retain the state. The APC on the other hand is not resting on their oars. The strategic meetings, the forays into the camp of the opposition in the form of political evangelism which has manifested in the harvest of critical defectors into the fold of the APC in recent times are indications that APC is working hard to undo the PDP in the state. The PDP too is doing everything to stabilize against the APC. 2023 will be a two-horse race. It is certainly going to be APC versus PDP. While Governor Okowa is at the head of the PDP in the state, APC will be led into the battle by Senator Omo-Agege. Who wins? That is the question begging for answers.

On the platform of the APC, the aspirants are not many. Apart from Senator Ovie Omo-Agege who is believed to be interested in Okowa’s job, the only other visible aspirant is Chief Jaro Egbo of Ughelli and perhaps Chief Great Ogboru of Abraka. However, in all, the Orogun-born political maestro, Omo-Agege is certainly leading the pack, poised to pick the APC ticket effortlessly and do real battle with the PDP in 2023. APC will have federal might and the cash to throw around while Okowa will rely on the time-tested structure of the PDP to retain power beyond 2023. The game would be interesting. 2023 will not be business as usual as the APC does not seem to be an easy fry. The only factor that may work against the APC is disunity and the factions which appear irreconcilable.  The various tendencies in the party are not willing to let go otherwise if APC decides to fight as one against the ruling PDP in Delta State, the result could be catastrophic for the PDP. Only time will tell what the future holds for Nigeria and Delta State.

Joseph Onajevwe writes from Ginuwa Road, Warri, Delta State.