Gov Okowa’s Aides Fights Dirty Over Kola Money

Two of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s Aides in Sapele almost tore into each other apart over what a source said was Kola-nut money presented by the new Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Commissioner for Sapele, Okpe and Ethiope West local government area, Chief Ejaife Odebala.

The Aides, Evangelist Omasan Mabiaku, the Special Assistant to Delta State Governor on Youth Development and Hon Godwin Atose, according to the source who was present, were invited to a meeting by the Commissioner for Land and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Joyce Overah. 

The meeting which was in the Commissioner’s palatial house at Shell road in Sapele, also had in attendance other Government political appointees, and was said to have been arranged at the instance of Overah to garner support for the Delta Governor reelection bid.

Things were said to be going smoothly until Overah decide to present Kola to the aides, the source who craved anonymity said, “after welcoming them, he presented N10,000 to support the Kola.

 The aides numbering about 14 in attendance not wanting to be left out began to support too, Mabiaku brought his own cash   and things were going on well until Hon Ejaife Odebala brought N50,000 to support the kola nut.

“After applauding Odebala and thanking him, some of the Aides led by Hon Atose insisted on sharing the cash presented for Kola, but Mabiaku and others  insisted since they were looking for money to Kick start the Local Government campaign, and that the money should be kept,” the source said.

This was said to have infuriated Hon Atose who called Mabiaku a non-indigene who had no right to tell them what to do.

“The non-indigene was what actually got Mabiaku angry. He did not hold back. He lashed at Atose in a loud voice and accused him of playing the tribal card, he said in politics what was important was how to win the Local government for the party both at State and National level, detailing how Atose has always brought nepotism into issues of politics.

“And Hon Atose who could not hold back too and was posed for a fight but was held back by aides present from throwing fisticuffs at Mabiaku and things degenerated when Atose told Mabiaku , he does not spend kidnappers money.

“Mabiaku was so angry that he called Hon Atose a failed chairman. He gave it to Atose real hard.

Angry at the development, the new Desopadec Commissioner, Ejaife Odebala was said to have stormed out of the compound with former Secretary of Sapele Local Government Council, Perkins Umukoro and was closely followed by Hon Atose who drove out too amidst barrage of abuse from Omasan Mabiaku.

Spirited efforts were said to have been made by Hon Joyce Overah to bring Odebala back to the meeting without success.

Meanwhile the political appointees on Saturday agreed to donate one hundred thousand naira (N100,000) each to the local government campaign that is expected to kick-off next week.

Overah said the self imposed level will be used to assist the Sapele PDP campaign Committee led by Chief Paulinus Akpeki, when the campaign kicks off proper.