Oyovbaire: Rotation Of Delta Governorship Seat Not On Ethnic Basis, But On Senatorial District Order

*As Amori, Others Sworn In As DC-23 National Executives

By Sunday Apah

Former Minister of Information, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire has stated that rotation of the governorship seat of Delta state was not initiated on the basis of ethnic nationalities but on the basis of Senatorial Districts.

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Oyovbaire who made this known in his speech during the official swearing in/inauguration of National Executives Council/Board of Trustees of Delta Central 2023 group, stated further that rotation of the governorship seat among the three senatorial districts, has created a very big basis for peace and stability in Delta state.

He explained that the move to setup the constitution and committees of the Delta Central 2023 was misunderstood, hence people started saying that DC-23 was going to be another political party but that was far from the aims and objectives of the group.

He stated that the primary purpose of DC-23 is firmness and humility to dialogue with other senatorial districts in the state.

“The issue of rotation or zoning has always been there in the affairs of the PDP, how it plays out at the national level has its own character, how it plays out and continue to play out at the state level, has its own character, even at the local government and ward levels, rotation is there”, he said.

He stated further that “for us here in Delta state, this is the third phase of our transition, we have a transition in 2006/2007. All of us know that even when a constitution or written agreement has not been entered, there is a basic understanding that the governorship of this state should go round senatorially.

“In 2014/2015 which was our next experience, Okowa was elected not just because he was competent, focus and an Ika man but because it was the turn of Delta North. For those who are arguing, will it make sense if Okowa starts to agitate for an Oshimili person to take over from him? But for the fact that an Oshimili person wants to exercise his right, he can’t be deprived.

“The rotation does not stop one from contesting but only favours the next benefitting senatorial district. So I appeal to the BoT and NEC of DC-23 to conduct quiet and undramatice dialogue with their counterparts in the North and South Senatorial Districts of the state”, he added.

Erudite Professor of English and Literature of Delta Stare University, Prof. Sunny Awhefeada, in his keynote address with the theme: “URHOBO, DELTA 2023 AND BEYOND”, advised Urhobo to be more united ahead of 2023 as that had been their driving force from 1960 to date.

In his acceptance speech after the swearing in, Chief Senator Ighoyota Amori, National Chairman of DC-23, promised not to disappoint on the aims and objectives of the group.

He said, “DC-23 is neither a one man show nor a political party. It is a pressure group within the PDP in Delta Central with a single objective of delivering on the governorship project in 2023. And it was put together by prominent and revered elders and leaders of Delta Central political class.

He emphasized that DC-23 is not a parallel body to the PDP in the state and not formed to be antagonistic to the Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa.

“It was not formed to promote disharmony among the three senatorial districts in Delta state but was rather formed to support Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to finish strong, promote inter-senatorial peace, love and unity and create an enabling environment for succession of the governorship in Delta state.

“The task before us is enormous, it is not a job that will be left for the executives of DC-23 to handle alone. It is an assignment for every member and friends of PDP. The approach to achieving this goal will not be confrontational but we shall go round our brothers and sisters in the south and north of the state and appeal to them for understanding.

Those sworn-in include, Chief Ighoyota Amori, National Chairman, Hon. Solomon Igbrakpata, Deputy National Chairman, Hon. (Comrade) Reuben Izeze Y., 1st Vice Chairman, Chief Suru Salami, 2nd Vice Chairman, Hon. (Chief) Dennis Omovie, 3rd Vice Chairman, Dr. Chris Oharisi, National Secretary, Dr. Amos Ighorodje, Assistant National Secretary, Mr. Matthew Tsekiri, Assistant National Secretary, Barr. Isaac Itebu, National Treasurer, Chief Pius Ovbije, Assistant National Treasurer, Dcn. Raymond Edijala Assistant National Treasurer, Hon. (Olorogun) Taleb Tebite, National Financial Secretary, Chief Tony Oboroh, Assistant National Financial Secretary, Hon. Godwin Atose, National Organizing Secretary, Hon. Christian Onogba, Assistant National Organizing Secretary, Chief Jerry Eruvwedede. Assistant National Organizing Secretary, Mr. Austin Opubor, National Welfare Officer, Mrs. Philomena Ededey, Assistant National Welfare Officer, Hon. Peter Uviejitobor, Assistant National Welfare Officer.

Others are Hon. (Chief) Andrew Orugbo, National Legal Adviser, Mr. Stephen Akemu, National Youth Leader, Hon. Goru Karo Jonathan, Assistant National Youth Leader, Mr. Benson Idje, Assistant National Youth Leader, Chief Mrs. Faith Majemite, National Women Leader, Hon. Best Okoromadu, Assistant National Women Leader, Hon. Elohor Urhobe, Assistant National Women Leader, Hon. Elohor Uwhobe, Assistant National Women Leader, Barr. Arthur Akpowowo, National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Sunday Apah, Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Festus Pemu, Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Anthony Akpomiemie, National Auditor, Hon. Donald Akpojohore, Assistant National Auditor, Chief George Osikorobia, Assistant National Auditor, Hon. Abraham Whiskey, National Provost, Mr. Lawrence Ladu, Assistant National Provost, while Mr. John Otokwefor, Mr. Akpoufuoma Pemu, Barr. Idris Oyibo, Hon. Doris Ejenavi, Hon. Ann Divine Iniovosan, Mrs. Oma Jennifer Efeviroro Esq., and Hon. Henry Afure Sakpra as Ex-Officios.

The Board of Trustees has Barr. William Etubiebi as Chairman, Chief Bernard Edewor, Deputy Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Ighomena, Secretary, Dr. Lucky Avweromre, Assistant Secretary, Chief Eddie Ono-Sorhue, Spokesman, Chief Hope Erute, Assistant Spokesman, while Chief Robert Onome, Chief Chris Ometan, Mrs. Patricia Osoro, Chief Godstime Emashemigbe, Hon. Felix Anirah, Hon. Julius Egbedi, Chief (Mrs.) Margret Unukegwo, Barr. David Emakunu, Chief Mrs. Philomena Oyearone, Chief Mike Adiotomre, Chief Judith Enamuotor, Chief John Oguma, Chief Eunice Okoh, Chief Ernest Juweto, Barr. Moses Odibo, General Dominic Oneya (Rtd), Surveyor Terry Noah, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, Rev. David Otofia and Elder Joseph Umukoro as members.

The occasion was attended by the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Chief (Dr.) Akpokiboro Patrick Fovie, PDP Chairman, Delta Central, Hon. Efe Afe, Member representing Okpe, Sapele, Uvwie Constituency, Rt. Hon. Chief Festus Ovie Agas, Former SSG, Delta state, Hon. Chief Ejaife Odebala, Former House of Assembly member, Chief Fred Majemite, Former Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Hon. Solomon Ahwinahwi, Former House of Representatives member, Rt. Hon. Lovette Idisi, Former House of Representatives member, Hon. Napoleon Gbinije, Former House of Representatives member, Very Revd. Fr. Christopher Ekabor, Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu, Comrade Okoh Ezekiel Oghenetega, Dr. (Mrs.) Augustina Erah, Chief Paul Abu, and a host of others.