Politics
“Gov Sheriff Must Give Me My Fat Portion Of The Sherrified ‘Ukodo'” –Latimore
By Daniel Dafe
A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Fred Latimore who worked tirelessly for Sheriff Oborevwori to emerge winner in the 2023 guber elections in Delta State, has said that he deserves a juicy appointment in the state.
Recall that recently, Latimore in a statement disclosed that he rejected an offer to be reappoited as Executive Assistant, Communications, a position he held in the adminstration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
In a statement on Saturday, in his words: “Gov. Sheriff must give me my FAT PORTION of the SHERRIFIED UKODO. It’s just and fair to do so.”
He added: “It is hoped that the UKODO that I laboured so hard to project and prepare will not elude me in this dispensation, and if that happens, no bad feelings. It does not change the fact that God is still on His Heavenly Throne watching and preparing more and more UKODO.”
According to him, there is a group called “MORE STRIKE FORCE hunting people on social media,” just as he appealed to be spared by the group, saying: “Governor Sheriff is my brother, even though his new status as Governor seem to have almost strained our age-long healthy relationship.”
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Recounting his impact in the last administration and during the 2023 campaigns, he disclosed that he became EA Communications on April 03, 2017, stating that he organized four communication workshops sponsored by the State Government.
“A total of 650 persons were trained including; government appointees, bloggers, social media influencers, online publishers and media partners in the mainstream. It’s usually a 3 day of intellectual exercise with Professors in the field of Mass Communication and Journalism as Chief Trainers and facilitators. First of it’s kind since the creation of Delta State.
“For six years, the EA Communications was the most famous outspoken senior government official after the Honourable Commissioner for information. His voice was heard, loud and clear.
“I served in various committees, both at party level and State organized events, as well as Delta Central Senatorial District and Ethiope East campaign councils in 2018/2019, Local Council campaign committee as Chairman, Publicity Committee and Assistant Deputy Director of Media and Publicity for PDP State Campaign Council, and official spokesperson in 2023. I delivered.”
Meanwhile, he revealed that in all the committees he headed or served, he was never funded.
Adding: “I spent my money and resources, including the 2023 general elections. I spent my money all the way, no vote for my office in terms of funding, yet I delivered in the media space
“Those who allocated money during the just concluded 2023 general elections can testify to this. I read on social media that I do not deserve juicy appointment because I was paid handsomely by Elder Sheriff Oborevwori during the 2023 campaign. Thank God, the governor is well and alive. He can testify if I was paid to do my job during the last general elections. I was not paid either as a person or through any official channel.”
Furthermore, he said: “Chief John Nani was the Campaign Coordinator for Delta Central while Hon Sunny Emeyese coordinated Ethiope East LGA. I didn’t get a penny to do my media job from anybody or constituted authority for the media or for my media team. I spent my money all the way in the mass media from scratch to finish. Those who have ears let them hear, and I stand to be corrected.
“The 2023 governorship election was the most challenging for me. I had sleepless nights crafting stories and articles, and published same to project the image and in defence of my boss, the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, my friend of 45 years and governorship candidate, as he then was, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, and for our great party, PDP. It paid off in victory.”