VP Slot and Okowa’s “WEAKNESSES”: Is Nduka Obaigbena’s THIS DAY Newspaper Rating Right?

Contrary to widespread social media reports, it was This Day Newspaper not ARISE TV that originally published the matter in question.

This Day owned by media baron, Nduka Obaigbena had in its edition of Monday, 30 May 2022, ran in its front page cover,a comparative profiling of what it termed “strengths” and “weaknesses” of some PDP political leaders as likely running mate / Vice President to Atiku Abubakar.

Those featured as frontline contenders were Delta state governor Ifeanyi Okowa ,Akwa Ibom governor,Emmanuel Udom, Godwin Obaseki of Edo state and former senate president, Pius Anyim.

ARISE TV ostensibly went on air with the Agenda setting story without attribution. Plagiarism! That is deceptive and unprofessional.

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To the crux of the issue, it was a piece of excellent journalism.The business of the press is not to praise government or political actors.The duty of the mass media is to hold government/ political personages accountable. Only media aides who by their oath of office are required to orchestrate and amplify the activities of their political masters stand excused.But pardon the media for PR publications,broadcasts and glamorous award ceremonies.Starved to penury, on the brink of extinction,the economy is dealing with the Press.They must survive.

On Okowa’s “weaknesses”This Day wrote:
*Not exposed to national politics.
*Might not be considered 100 per cent loyal considering recent developments between him and his god father.

The paper more damning in the portrayal of “weaknesses “ of others analysed, dismissed Udom as lacking “limited national experience with no name recognition”, Obaseki as a man of insincere make up who “doesn’t honour his words” and without “full grip of internal politics of his state” and Anyim, powerless in “control of his state PDP structure” and “under investigation by EFCC for alleged corruption”

Strikingly, of all the personalities x rayed by This Day, Okowa led with the most impressive characterisation.

His “strengths” according to the daily :

*He is from Anioma,the Igbo speaking part of Delta.
*He meets the clamour by South East and South South for presidency.
*Has extensive administrative experience from local government to being a state governor with deep pocket.
*He is well educated,a trained physician.

Interrogating This Day’s perception, the claim of poor exposure to national politics is not meticulous enough,in the face of Okowa’s high visibility in the Nigerian political space. This is exemplified by his repeated successful role as official mascot and live of PDP conventions and related affairs. He stands as the most credible governor before Aso Rock, respected by the president and his men.

Is Okowa actually not loyal ,at war with his godfather (James Ibori perhaps)?

Both men see and talk ! Relax,it is the eye of the child that fears the mask.

Okowa as VP to PDP presidential candidate,Atiku ? Yes. He is ahead, better than his peers for the seat.

Why ?

The man is sound and civil.

I write not just as a media guard but a witness to history.

By Norbert Chaizor