2023 Guber: Zoning In Delta PDP, Based On Senatorial District, Not Ethnicity —Okowa Commissioner

Says Okowa, Ibori, Udughan, Others, Will Determine Who Becomes Party’s Candidate

By Daniel Dafe
Commissioner for Information, Delta State, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has said that the governorship zoning arrangement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state was based on senatorial districts, not ethnicity.

Recall that Ijaw nation has indicated interest to produce the next governor in the state, saying that ethnicity, not senatorial districts should now determine where the next governor comes from especially since all senatorial districts have produced the governor from Chief James Ibori (central) to Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (south) and now Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (north).

Aniagwu, who was guest on Arise TV on Friday on a morning show monitored by Oasis Magazine, debunked rumours that Okowa was opposed to the zoning arrangement and intends to handover to the Ijaws as a reward for the support he got when he ran for the governorship in 2015.

According to Aniagwu, the governor of the state believes in fairness and equity and will not impose, but together with Chief Ibori, Uduaghan and other leaders determine who the next governor will be.

He recalled that after Ibori, every senatorial district contested during PDP’s primary but it always went a certain way which is in line with the zoning arrangement even though it was not written.

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Although Aniagwu’s interview with Arise TV did not reflect if the governor will back a candidate from Delta Central, he opined that it will be wrong to shut out other ethnic groups even though Delta Central is next in line.

He added that the primaries will determine who will be PDP’s candidate, but said that like DC-23 is already doing to ensure that Delta Central gets it, it is important that they approach other senatorial districts with a passionate appeal seeking their support.

Adding that there is peace in Delta because of the inclusiveness, saying that today, Okowa from Delta North is governor, the Deputy is from Delta South and the Speaker from Delta Central.

“This is the kind of balance that we will also see in the next government,” he said.