Delta Guber: Anioma Nation Throws Weight Behind Omo-Agege, Slams Okowa

By Daniel Dafe

The people of Anioma Nation of the North Senatorial District of Delta State under the auspices of Ukpe Anioma, a sociopolitical and cultural group, on Friday after an unprecedented “ogwa” at the Ute-Ogbeje country home of its National Coordinator, Alex Madu Ikpeazu, endorsed the candidature of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege for Saturday governorship polls, saying it is for the political wellbeing and future of the Ndi Anioma people.

According to a communique signed by High Chief Joe Obuseh, National Leader, Alex Ikpeazu, National Coordinator and others, the conference took cognizance of the political and economic situation in the country Nigeria and the state, “especially as it concerns the governorship and House of Assembly elections coming up on Saturday the 18th of March 2023.”

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The summation of their deliberations were issued in the said communique below:

RESOLUTIONS:

1. That we the people of Anioma accord utmost recognition and respect to all political parties thriving within our Anioma nation. We acknowledge their presence and give due respect and consideration to members of these different political parties and groups. We applaud our people for allowing all political tendencies to peacefully exercise their rights of association and advance their franchise freely without encumbrance among the Anioma people.

2. That in the exercise of our mandate to provide political direction and guidance to the Anioma people, we have identified our regional political and economic interests and will therefore urge our people to follow our well thought out political direction for the benefit of the land and people of Anioma.

3. That we state without equivocation that treachery is repulsive to Anioma people and not an acceptable character trait among us. Following from this, we condemn in unambiguous terms the treacherous actions of our kinsman, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the betrayal of the agreements reached with the governors of Southern Nigeria to elect a president of southern Nigeria origin. That action betrayed the aspirations of the entire people of Southern and Middle Belt Nigeria, which includes the Anioma people. We reiterate that governor Okowa’s action does not reflect the steadfast and trustworthy character of the Anioma people.

4. Following from our deliberation on the above matter and arising from the disputes and troubles ensuing from that monumental act of betrayal and as accepted by all, Ukpe Anioma adopted the resolution that every Anioma person should go out on Saturday March 18th to vote for the candidates we have unanimously endorsed.

5 . All community leaders of Ukpe Anioma in the nine LGAs in Delta North have been directed to identify worthy and credible persons from the list of candidates shortlisted in this meeting for the House of Assembly, mobilize voters and ensure victory for them.

6. We assure all Anioma people that this consequential decision has been taken in good faith and in the overall political and economic interest of our people in the incoming central and state governments.

7. In the course of deliberations, we noted that some officers and prominent ANIOMA members of political parties are not forthright with our people, but have been playing selfish game for their personal benefits. Thus, Ukpe Anioma has therefore taken the responsibility to extensively scrutinize and evaluate the candidates for various elective positions in the state.

We hereby make the following observations and recommendations to the voters of Anioma extraction.

(A) That the Labour Party governorship candidate for Delta state, Mr Kennedy Pela is believed to be a protégé and nominee of Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who has just recently doled out millions of NAIRA to boost his campaign as ‘Okowa’s PLAN B’ in case Sheriff of PDP fails to win. We therefore urge our people not to vote Kennedy Pela as he does not have or represent the sterling qualities of Peter Obi.

(B) Ukpe Anioma resolves that justice be accorded to the people of Umunede in Ika Northeast LGA regarding the House of Assembly election. All House of Assembly members in the entire Anioma territory got two terms except for Umunede in IKA North East, OKOWA’s LGA. The incumbent PDP member from Umunede- Hon. Anthony Elekokuri was prevented by Dr. Okowa and the PDP Chairman from purchasing House of Assembly nomination forms just as they prevented all other PDP aspirants of the constituency. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s daughter, Mrs. Marylyn Okowa-Daramola, married to a Yoruba man, was the only House of Assembly aspirant permitted to purchase PDP nomination form. This is the grand plan by Dr. Okowa to impose his daughter as unopposed PDP candidate and force her on the electorate of Ika Northeast through rigging of elections.

(C) That we strongly recommend that voters of Ika North-East vote for Sebastine Okoh of the APC to counter Okowa’s hegemonic proclivities in Ika North-East and give justice to the people of Umunede. Compelled voting for Okowa’s daughter will be an assault on our freedom and democracy.

(D) That the Labour Party candidate – Mr Utomi Nwanne won the IKA Federal Constituency House of Representatives election decisively, but was arm twisted by OKOWA and PDP who connived with INEC to foist Victor Nwokolo on the people of IKA.

(E) That we salute the courage and display of the characteristic leadership quality of senator Ovie Òmò-Agege who vehemently challenged the declaration of Victor Nwokolo instead of Utomi Nwanne and Ned Nwoko instead of Mr Kema as winners of the House of Representatives (Ika Federal Constituency) and Senate (Delta North) respectively at the INEC collation centre, Asaba.

(F) That in consideration of his good character, leadership quality, credibility, competence, acceptability and experience, we the entire Anioma nation as one united people unanimously DECLARE distinguished Senator Ovie Òmò-Agege, the current deputy president of the senate and APC gubernatorial candidate as our governorship candidate for Delta State for the election of 18th March 2023 and hereby direct all Anioma sons and daughters to go back to their various communities and polling units and spread the good news of Ovie Omo-Agege as the adopted governorship candidate of the Anioma people in the election of 18th March 2023.

The declaration party was witnessed by the Delta North senatorial chairman of Òmò-Agege campaign organization- Dr (Chief) Austin Izagbo and a large entourage.

Others (COLLEGE OF LEADERS) who signed the communique are
Chief Alfred Okoruwe
General William Enwosi
High Chief Gabriel Ohai
Dr Chris Ugoh
Kemmer Emina
Chief Idah Ojukpazi
Comrade Tony Osu
Mr IFEANYI Joseph Okwumabua Uzoka.
Chief Chike Obiazikwo
Comrade Odini
Mrs Charity Morka
Dr Enu of Ukwuani
Chief Alfred Obuseh
Chief Mrs Patience Emina
Apostle Sunny Iyere
Professor OBIAZI
Dr Eric Ideh
Chief Mike Diayi
Mrs Amuka