By Aruoriwo Ivovi

As part of the empowerment initiatives of the Delta State Government to upscale the skills of youths in Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the state, no fewer than 100 youths, including civil servants, have graduated from the state Emerging Markets Model Initiative training.

The graduands of the programme, made up of 70 youths from across the 25 Local Government areas of the state and 30 public servants, selected from various MDAs, completed the three-months intensive training in cyber security, project design and web development as implemented by Tech4Dev and Microsoft.

Beneficiaries were fully equipped with laptops by the state government in realisation of the strategic wealth creation and Stronger Delta agenda of the Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa’s led administration.

The Chief Economic Adviser to the governor, Dr. Kingsley Emu, who is the Coordinator of the programme, while addressing the trainees, underscored the importance and adaptability of technology to all facets of human endeavours in modern times.

Explaining the relevance of the programme, he noted that technology was the modern in-thing, adding that it was important to upscale the skills of beneficiaries to enable them compete favourably in the global space.

He maintained that the selection process was rigorous and in strict adherence to standard.

Dr. Emu reiterated the irrevocable commitment of Governor Okowa to human capacity development in the state and urged the beneficiaries of the programme to reciprocate the kind gesture of the state government.

He disclosed that the state government had trained over 12, 855 entrepreneurs in the last seven years and provided direct employment to 223, 000 unemployed persons in the state.

Dr. Emu also stated that the Okowa Administration had created over 1.3million indirect jobs to Deltans and called on the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by supporting the governor’s vice presidential ambition.

While congratulating the beneficiaries on their successful completion of the three months training, the Chief Economic Adviser urged them to put skills acquired into good practice in order to be relevant in the tech business.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mrs. Jennifer Adasen, expressed satisfaction with the number of girls that participated in the programme.

She challenged them to cherish the skills acquired from the training as, according to her, it would launch them into the world

‘’You can work anywhere without depending on the government. However, if you do not sleep on the knowledge that you have gained today, the sky would be your limit. I wish you luck,’’ she said.

Earlier, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on ICT, Mr. Emmanuel Odigie, represented by Mr. Henry Onyebadi, in his welcome address, said that the training was in line with the vision of Governor Okowa to bequeath a Stronger Delta to his successor.

‘’To make it easy for the participants, the state government has provided one laptop for each of them as well as free data for the entire duration of the training. The laptops are meant to be taken home by the participants as a starter pack for continuity and sustainability of the vision of the state government and the empowerment of the participants as a stepping stone to greater heights,’’ he said.

‘’Never allow what you have learned to remain within you alone. Do not act like the foolish, lazy and ungrateful steward who dug the ground and hid the one talent given to him. Rather, we expect you to act like the Biblical steward who invested his five talents and made profits to the admiration of his master,’’ he said.

The Programme Manager, Tech4Dev, Mr. Abraham Akpan, who also spoke at the event, said that the programme was designed to build the capacity of crucial ministries, departments and Amagencies (MDAs) to offer better services in the state.

The ceremony climaxed with the presentation of awards to three outstanding participants and a Microsoft-endorsed certificate to all the beneficiaries after they had demonstrated their proficiencies through different projects they handled

A group in Delta North with representatives in the Diaspora under the aegis of One Voice, Our Choice has endorsed the senatorial candidacy of Barrister Kennedy Kanma to represent Delta North in the national assembly.

The endorsement followed a resounding presentation of his plan for Anioma people and his readiness to champion accountability when he eventually emerges senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.

Barrister Kanma who carefully marshaled out his agenda to assist Peter Obi’s presidency to make a great success, revealed how he would tackle contractors who will execute projects in Delta North and ensure that no project is left unexecuted and no funds in whatever guise is diverted.

He shared pathetic stories of how Nigerian government officials and contractors connive to divert funds with bogus budgets. He said most of these projects are not executed and probes are not initiated against the contractors and the awarding agencies.

He told the people of Delta North who gathered at the Event Centre in Ogwashi Uku, headquarters of Aniocha South local government area of Delta state that one of his biggest pursuits when he becomes senator by the good people of Delta North is to ensure accountability in all facets of government.

He decried known leakages in funds disbursement but painfully left unblocked by officials who are entrusted with such responsibility.

Kanma, who vowed to make sure things are done rightly, noted that he would pursue with vigour whatever concerns Delta North when he emerges senator for the zone. He touched thorny issues in the senatorial district which past and present representatives of the zone are glossing over.

He acknowledged the dam in Ogwashi Uku which has been declared completed but in reality it is abandoned project. He told the people that he cannot be senator and such a project that is dear to Aniocha/Oshimili people is abandoned.

According to him, as a senator representing Delta North, no contractor handling any federal government project in the region would be allowed to do a shoddy project and go away with it. He said he would ensure that any project that bears the name Delta North or Anioma nation must be executed according to specification.

On a national level, he said the issues of insecurity, poverty, hunger amidst plenty, kidnapping, injustice and others are results of lack of accountability in government.

He noted thus: “Insecurity is caused by lack of justice. Many have refused to obey the laws of the nation. If people who do wrong are made to face the law, if things are done rightly and things are put in their proper perspective, you will see that insecurity will reduce.

“Poverty in Nigeria is a result of the failure of government. The government fails to do what they are supposed to do. Things are not working because the government is not doing enough. The officials of government are not responsible to the people. If they were, everybody would have enough to eat and have a better life.

“The dam project in Ogwashi Uku was supposed to serve as source of irrigation, electricity and provide water for people around Aniocha/Oshimili. The dam is reported to have been completed but in actual sense it is abandoned.

“This is a failure of government. Our representatives do not take our matters as their concern. If things that are supposed to be done are done rightly you will see a difference in the lifestyle of the people. It is not that Nigeria does not have money, it is the problem of misappropriation of funds by government officials.

“As Labour Party legislator if I’m elected by the grace of God, we are going to pursue accountability in every sphere of governance. When there is accountability in governance, all these challenges will not arise. When you examine how much Nigeria government awards projects, it is multiple times the amount spent in many countries of the world.

“Labour Party is set to cancel the past and begin new things in a new way. If these things are not put in place, we cannot achieve our desired objective. A rail line in Lagos was awarded at the rate of 1.5billion dollars. That is a very good project. It was to begin at Okokomaiko in Lagos and end in Lagos Island.

“The same Chinese company that is doing the rail line in Nigeria is also doing a similar one in Ethiopia, an East Africa country. The one in Lagos is 7km long. The one in Ethiopa is 759km. The one in Ethiopa is 4.5billion dollars. Nigeria’s own is 1.5billion dollars.

“If you break it down into amount per kilometer, you will find out that the one in Lagos is awarded at 52million dollars per km while the one in Ethiopia is awarded at 5million dollars per km. When you look at the disparity, you can now understand why we suffer the things we suffer in Nigeria.

“That is not the end of the bad government we have in Nigeria. If you examine that contract further you will find that the one in Nigeria is to carry only passengers that is why it is called light rail while the one in Ethiopa is to carry both passengers and cargo that is why it is called heavy rail. We are paying heavy amount for something less while Ethiopia is paying less for something great. These things are happening all over the system”

He also spoke of abandoned projects which are littering different parts of the country. This is even as money has been paid to the contractors.  For him, such cannot happen when he is senator for Delta North.

He said: “One thing I want to tell us is that me Ken Kanma, if I am in the senate and a contract is given to anybody pertaining to Delta North, I assure you it must be done according to specification.

“If people are not held accountable for what they do we will not have enough money to do other things. Anything that pertains to Delta North we will scrutinize it properly and ensure the right thing is done.

“Many contracts are awarded in this our district and they are abandoned because nobody cares. The role of your senator is to ensure that if a project is sited in our constituency, it should be followed up. If you are given a contract in Delta North and you want to use it for settlement it will not work because our duty is to ensure that the executive does what it is supposed to do.”

Speaking on his agenda for Anioma nation, he said “from the moment I decided to run for senate, I have planned that a great percentage of our focus will be on the human capital development of the people of Anioma land. I’m interested in moving people from poverty to prosperity.

“In 2023 Labour Party is a much better choice in any way you look at it. In Labour Party, Nigeria will be moved from poverty, sufferings, killings, kidnapping and hunger to a better life for all. As at present it is difficult to say it is well with Nigeria but with Labour Party coming on board it will be well with Nigeria.”

Secretary of the organizing body, Mr. Augustine Nkwo, said the debate was put together to hear the programmes of the people contesting for various political offices in the area. He added that having listened to Barrister Kennedy Kanma, the body has endorsed him to represent Delta North in the 2023 senate.

The All Progressives Congress(APC) penultimate weekend, got a confidence surge, in the march to 2023 electoral victories as President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Assistant on Social Media Lauretta Onochie, formalised her membership of the national ruling party at Onicha-Olona(Ward 4), Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

At the event Onochie, a blue chip avowed BUHARIST, disclosed that her resolve to formalising her status, stems from “Given that President Buhari won’t be contesting come 2023, it is imperative to support and ensure victory for the APC presidential standard bearer, ASIWAJU Bola Ahmed Tinubu in furtherance of President Buhari’s innumerable accomplishments”.

She also revealed that this development has debunked the earlier fallacious “partisan inclination” which was widely disseminated.

“With this, I can confidently state that I am now a card-carrying member of the party(APC) as against the earlier fictitious story of my purported membership whereby my details were forged and presented to the public. Well, that’s another story for the future”, she emphasized.

In his speech, the Delta North Senatorial Chairman of the party, OIgbueshi Adizue Ekuaka, said he remained enthused over her membership of the party, as the development portends positive dividend at the impending 2023 elections.

Similarly, the Aniocha North Chairman of the party, Sir Matthew Chinye affirmed that Lauretta Onichie’s membership of the party, will herald good tidings for the party nationwide.

By Nneka Glory Nwachukwu

The legal battle for the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party Gubernatorial ticket effectively entered the last lap with the opening of hearing at the Supreme Court on Thursday.

Recall that after the PDP primaries in May, Olorogun David Edevbie challenged the qualification of Sheriff Oborevwori at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over discrepancies in his credentials and the court ruled Oborevwori unqualified but the Court of Appeal upturned the ruling prompting Edevbie to proceed to the Supreme Court.

At the first hearing, after the filing of briefs, the Supreme Court granted Edevbie the order for substituted service to the respondents.

The matter was adjourned till September 30 for the consideration of other preliminary issues.

BY FELIX IGBEKOYI, Asaba

Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Government House and Protocol, Sir Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje has said in interfacing and promoting the manifestoes of the various political parties, media practitioners should avoid character assassination, the pull him down syndrome, and should act in the public interest, minimizing any information that does no good to the society.

He stated this on Thursday in Asaba on the occasion of the 4th edition of the Delta State Communication Workshop, (DELCOM), saying they should also be seen to be honest, independent, fair and unbiased as he said the approach deployed by media practitioners in disseminating and managing the barrage of information, to a large extent, determines the corporate existence of a nation.

Speaking on the theme, “Crisis Communication Strategies and Management in Political Power Transition” he said since crisis is an inevitable phenomenon among groups in every society, strategic communication will remain a veritable tool for nipping crisis in the bud.

“How the media report events and happenings to the public will go a long way in creating either positive or negative mindset in the populace. The media must eschew the unethical conduct of misinforming the public. Communication is equally vital in building and sustaining the peace of a nation.

“We are at a critical time in the history of our nation. As we try to build consensus in managing political crises at different levels, my humble appeal to the Press and other Stakeholders in the management of information is that you continue to display professionalism to ensure that we achieve peace and stability in our nation.

“I say this because of the present realities. The Nigeria media space, especially the social media, is inundated with all sorts of unverified news, propaganda, and smear campaigns. As we approach election year, more of these will occupy the media space – spreading of falsehood capable of setting ethnic groups, religious organizations, individuals and political parties, against themselves.

While saying communication through the various media platforms, continues to evolve, due to development in information technology, he stated that communication remains central to human existence. It is at the root of survival of families, groups, organizations, communities and nations.

“Therefore, crisis communication strategies and management in political power transition, involves the methods adopted by media practitioners to elicit, process, disseminate and manage information required to mitigate emerging crisis within the nation’s polity as we move into the 2023 elections.

“The theme is also timely in view of the need to effectively manage the dissemination of information for the overall good of the nation, especially as political parties are set to sell their manifestoes to the electorates. It is quite apt, given the pivotal role the media; the fourth estate of the realm, plays in the scheme of things”

The seasoned Rotarian who recommended the 4-Way Test as a universal paradigm in dealing with communication crisis in any situation asked “When we put pen to paper, what is our story line? Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

DELCOM Coordinator and Executive Assistant (Communications) to the Governor of Delta State, Olorogun Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe said his office is organizing the capacity building programme, an annual event designed to equip media practitioners, communication appointees of government, social media influencers, bloggers, etc.

Chief Trainer, erudite presenter and communication strategist, Prof Abigail Odozi Ogwezzy also stated that at the end of the workshop, participants would have been equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills in meeting the challenges of communications in the 21st Century as well as function effectively in their assigned responsibilities.

By Nneka Glory Nwachukwu

Over 1000 representatives of the 25 local government councils of Delta State converged in Uro, Isoko South on Wednesday as the Delta Unity Group, a pro-David Edevbie organisation of the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party inaugurated its organs ahead of the campaigns for the general elections.

The event hosted by Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, former Chairman of Delta ALGON in his country home, witnessed the swearing in of members of the Board of Trustees, National Executive Council and local government coordinators of the group.

The group said while they are strong members of the PDP, they believe in the competence and capacity of Olorogun David Edevbie to lead the state to greater prosperity and they are confident he will emerge victorious at the Supreme Court as the PDP candidate for the Governorship election.

Speaking at the occasion, former Secretary to the State Government, Hon Chiedu Ebie assured that in filing a 23 grounds of appeal at the Supreme Court, Edevbie’s lawyers had studied the judgement of the Court of Appeal and are very positive that the Supreme Court will deliver substantial justice in the matter.

He urged the gathering to remain positive and stand firm on the Edevbie mandate pointing out that there can be moments of anxiety but the truth shall always prevail.

“In the case of Bayelsa PDP, they won at the High Court, lost at the Appeal Court and won at the Supreme Court. It was the same in the Ebonyi case where Odii won at the High Court, lost at the Appeal and also won at the Supreme Court. David Edevbie’s case is on the same trajectory.”

The National Executive Council is chaired by Rt Honourable Peter Onwusanya with Comrade Michael Akpobire as Secretary.

Other members include, Hon Evance Ivwurie, Deputy Chairman; Rt Hon Daniel Reyeineju, Vice Chairman, Delta South;
Rt Hon Monday Igbuya, Vice Chairman, Delta Central; and Rt Hon Olisa Imegwu, Vice Chairman, Delta North.

Others are Hon Stanley Odali, National Assistant Secretary, Hon Fred Ofume, Treasurer; Barrister Robinson Ariyo, Legal Adviser; Sunny Areh, Publicity Secretary;
Hon Godwin Ejinyere, Organising Secretary; Olorogun Esere Ejifoma, Auditor; Comrade Isaiah Ingo, Youth leader Comrade Isaiah Ingo; and Chief Florence Ayomanot, Woman Leader.

The BOT is composed by
Prof Pat Muoboghare,
Chief Morrison Olori, Dr Isaac Akpoveta, Rt Hon Monday Igbuya, Chief Giwa Amu Theodora, Chief Clem Ofuani, Arch Joe Iroro, Rt Hon Tams Brisibe, Rt Hon Mercy Almona Ise, Pastor Champion Kpateghe and Pastor John Greatman Chukwuka.

By ABEL JOHNGOLD

Vice Chancellor (VC), University of Ibadan (UI), Prof Kayode Adebowale, mni, has stated that ruminating on the life and career of Professor Elsie Adewoye, especially her service in the school, what stood out for him was that she was actually the model of the consummate scholar they were seeking to be and to build in the University.

Adebowale stated this in his address as Guest of Honour, at the 70th Birthday Programme of
Prof Elsie Olufunke Adewoye, former Head of Department, Physiology Dept and President, University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), Worldwide.

In his speech titled: “The town, the gown and the space in-between: Thoughts on the service of Elsie Olufunke Adewoye”, the VC, said he counted it a privilege to be the Guest of Honour at an event, celebrating the crossover of the celebrant to the seventh floor and into retirement.

According to the VC, “As a university, our vision is to be a world-class institution for academic excellence, geared towards meeting societal needs. Our consummate scholar is therefore one who, through research and other activities, traverses the boundary of academia into full involvement in the affairs of the society; one who combines the town with the gown in a way that returns the benefits of research and the academe to the both.”

Relating Elsie Adewoye’s successes to Gavazzi (2020), writing on the possible influence of the Covid-19 pandemic on the relationship between universities and the larger society, which described the relationship as marriage without vows, in health and in sicknes, Adebowale noted that this marriage was often a troubled one and often, there were usually gaps between the spouses. That those who stood in the gap were the ones to be thanked for salvaging that marriage.

“Professor Elsie Olufunke Adewoye is one of these rare ones. And in her style, she has stood in that gap in quite a unique way,” he added.

The UI Vice Chancellor stated that using her position as the President of the Alumni Association, Professor Elsie Adewoye contributed immensely to retaining the UI reputation of being the centre where local, national and international issues are debated and where solutions are proffered; that she brought the world out there to the University of Ibadan.

Adebowale said the UIAA Worldwide President answered the second question by inaugurating and promoting activities that would directly benefit the outside world. That through her activities as President of the UI Alumni Association, the association has embarked on building a 2billion naira cancer diagnostic centre.

“Sometimes it seems we reduce town-gown relationship to just conducting research and sharing that with the town, that is the community, policy makers and others. While this is very important, town-gown relationship is more expansive than this. In fact, it is about each academic, exploring the space in-between the town and the gown and seeing what role they can play to further the advancement of both the university and the society.

“For Professor Adewoye, that unique space in-between was the alumni association. And to the benefit of both the University of Ibadan and the outside world, she explored that space very successfully. We are academics, primarily, but somewhere in that space between the town and the gown, we must look for opportunities to be a lot more than typical.

“The University of Ibadan is immensely proud of the exemplary contributions of Professor Elsie Adewoye. Our prayer is that as you begin the new and exciting journey into fruitful service to humanity as a retired academic, you will enjoy good health and happiness,” the UI VC asserted.

In his lecture titled “BRINGING VISION AND RESPONSIBILITY TO LEADERSHIP – A TOAST TO PROFESSOR ELSIE ADEWOYE, the Director of Nigerian Institute For Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Prof. Celestine Ikuenobe, described the Honoree as a leader who brought to the table, great vision, charisma and responsibility in mobilizing resources for the University of Ibadan and on the goal of taking ownership of it, as suggested by great Nigerians including a legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun, OFR, SAN, and late Emeritus Prof. Akin Mabogunje.

He said the UIAA Worldwide President came across as one naturally gifted with leadership qualities, calm disposition, disarming, motherly, and enough to bring down tensions anywhere.

The Guest Lecturer noted that “What is common place in our clime is that people seek the position of leadership, not because of what they can bring to the table, but what they can get out of it.

“That has been our bane as a nation, even as our people daily struggle for survival. But, in our honoree there’s no challenge of leadership.

“Our honoree today, Professor Elsie Adewoye has served this great University in many capacities, including first as a teacher, mentor of students, Head of Department, Hall Warden and Hall Mistress, and overall mobilizer of resources for the University, on the platform of the Alumni Association.”

While saying the leadership of Alumni associations should be such that has far sighted vision, driven by deep conviction to move the university forward, Ikuenobe disclosed that it was remarkable that Prof. Elsie Adewoye is the second lady to have occupied the exalted position of President of the Association for that matter, in the foot steps of the first lady President, Chief (Mrs.) Folashade Ogunlade.

He opined that every one of us is a leader in our own spheres, that leading people or any group for that matter, was a privilege, but what we bring to it or what we make of our leadership position, was largely defined by our vision and circumstances. That a good leader is a good fortune for the group that is so led.

“A leader’s job is to look into the future and see the organization not as it is, but as it can become. The bane of leadership in all spheres in Nigeria today, is the near lack of vision and responsibility, of those so entrusted with it. According to the famous quotation of Spiderman, with great power comes great responsibility.

“It was obvious she understood very well, the admonition by the renowned Civil Rights Leader. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. when he said’ “Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best at whatever you are.” Ikuenobe added.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says a former Chairman of the defunct Skye Bank Plc (now Polaris Bank), Tunde Ayeni, took N17.4bn from the suspense account of the bank between January 1 and December 31, 2014.

The EFCC further alleged that Ayeni received N3.75bn in cash from the same account the following year.

The allegations are part of the 10 fraud charges filed against Ayeni and three others before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The suit is separate from the N4.75bn and $5m fraud charge Ayeni and a former Managing Director of the bank, Timothy Oguntayo, are facing before Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of a Federal High Court.

According to a charge sheet marked FHC/Abuja/CR/37/2019, Ayeni, Oguntayo, Control Dredging Company Limited and Royaltex Paramount Ventures Limited allegedly laundered over N23bn between 2014 and 2015.

The EFCC alleged that on December 24, 2014, Ayeni, while being chairman of the board of Skye Bank, transferred N3bn from the account of the defunct Skye Bank’s Suspense Account to a First City Monument Bank account with number 0758662025, belonging to Control Dredging Company Limited, another company owned by Ayeni.

The commission alleged that the act was in contravention of Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, which is punishable under Section 15 of the same Act.

The anti-graft agency further alleged that Ayeni and Oguntayo conspired with others on March 25, 2015, to transfer the sum of N1.25bn from the Suspense Account of the defunct Skye Bank to the Skye Bank account of Royaltex Paramount Ventures Limited, another company owned by Ayeni.

The EFCC listed nine witnesses against Ayeni and others. They include four employees of the bank, officials of the EFCC and representatives of the FCMB.

The exhibits, which would be tendered in court include written statements, internal bank memos, cash delivery notes and forms, various bank documents, bank instruments and incorporation documents.

Some witnesses listed are Bamidele Are, Kayode Ojo-Osagie, Azeem Abiodun and Olufemi Phillips, who are all employees of the bank.

Others listed are Dare Folarin, Akingbade Adebayo, Dr Nurudeen Mohammed, Otitoju Moses, Longe Lolade, Umar Kangiwa, and Abubakar Madaki, among others.

Ayeni first came under investigation by the EFCC in 2016, when Skye Bank began to show signs of distress.

At the time, it was taken over by Central Bank of Nigeria in 2018, Skye Bank had a negative net asset of N1tn as to the opposed capital requirement of N25bn for Nigerian banks.

It was alleged that penchant of members of the board of the defunct bank for taking loans without due process accounted for N446bn in insider-related loans drawn from Skye Bank

By Wemdi Nwaham

The presidential candidate of the PDP, Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned PDP faithfuls to desist from making comments on the Wike saga in the party, so as not to jeopardise on going efforts at reconciliation. That is good. It is a language that should come from a statesman. Like Reuben Abati put it recently, you do not make a child cry and you don’t find a way to pacify the child.

But try as much as various organs and personages of the party PDP will, it seems that Gov. Wike is on a mission to sink the party. The latest news is that Vice President Atiku has scheduled another meeting with Wike this week. The first of such direct meeting was in London about a week ago. To put it mildly, that meeting achieved nothing as it produced no breakthroughs.

Wike seems to be emboldened by the crop of PDP governors and high profile persons that have flocked to his side. But whether he realises it or not, these persons may just be opportunists, who see through him an avenue to achieve something in the party. A few days ago, Commodore Bode George was in Rivers state, also lending his voice to the growing clamour that the National Chairman of the party, Prof. Iyorche Ayu, must relinquish his post, to bring peace to the party. There are other demands of what has now been known as the Wike group. Olusegun Mimiko, another Yoruba man wants to be the National Chairman of the party. Grapevine has it that he is the person favoured by the Wike group. Bode George perhaps knows as much, but he wants to be in the reckoning for that office, if the Wike osmotic pull, forces that eventuality.

About a month ago, Atiku Abubakar granted an interview to Arise television. Wike returned from a trip abroad and right at the Port Harcourt international airport, told the press that the interview granted by the presidential candidate of his party “were full of lies”. And the national tabloids carried banner headlines of Wike’s comments. As an ordinary Nigerian, I shuddered at that level of indiscretion and audacity. I screamed that it is time to call this man’s bluff.. But my friends cautioned me that Wike is aggrieved and he should be left to ventilate his anger.

But Wike has not stopped, neither has he let up. He has escalated his theatricals and verbal attacks on the party that made him and its VIPs.. He has held the party by the jugular and to ransom. That is because the party has acquiesced to endulge him. He ridicules every statement of top functionaries of the party. When the presidential candidate say that they are on a rescue mission, Wike fires back, “see people who are on a rescue mission”.
And the party continues to take it in its strides. Only as few days ago, he carpeted the National Chairman of their party, the PDP, calling him a prodigal father. Ha. And the party continues to bear. But for how long?

In Rivers state, where Wike bestrides the world of governance and headship of the party, he is a Czar. His party men and indeed indigenes of the state are in bondage. When he calls them out for his numerous weekly commissioning ceremonies, though not expressed, government functionaries must laugh in approval of whatever he says or does. When he clowns, they applaud.

Rivers state under Wike is akin to what happens in the highly repressed enclave of North Korea. When the father of the current president died, every North Korean that lined the streets were all seen to be wailing, even if they were faking it. It is the same way, if their president said any thing that demands laughter, all North Koreans must laugh. And this is a man who wanted to be president of Nigeria. His clownish dancing are to say the least, despicable. But Rivers state people must enjoy it. Unfortunately for him, this is Nigeria, not Uganda under Field Marshal Idi Amin. This is not country that an uncouth tyrant or despot can do drama with and have everybody enjoy his lunacy.

Now, why is Wike behaving this way? *After observing the trajectory of his oscillating virtuperations and comic displays since his ill-fated adventure to be the candidate of his party, and after he was bypassed for the position of Vice Presidential candidate in a pecking order, Wike is incrementally being confronted by the sheer magnitude of his loss.* The one that appears to be racking his head crazy, is that the man he snubbed in his nationwide campaign and consultations for the presidential ticket, also beat him to the Vice presidential slot. And the resources he committed was humongous.

Aside from that, he remembers that some of the people calling the shots now in the party were not there when life was almost snuffed out of the soul of the party some years ago and he was the “night nurse”.

There are three categories of Nigerians watching this PDP drama intently. There is the group that belong to “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”. They don’t like Atiku Abubakar or his pick for his Vice, Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa and they don’t like the PDP. So, whatever will sink both men and their party is hailed. That is why they applaud Wike and his antics.

There are those who see PDP as the party in waiting to occupy Aso Rock and they want to position themselves in the party and Wike is the hatchet jobber to bring that about. They now remember that the presidential ticket ought to go to the south and so on. They conveniently forget that all decisions of the party up to this point were openly and democratically taken and implemented.

Then there are those who feel that after everything had been done openly and democratically, sore losers want to bring the whole edifice down. They want the party to survive and replace the current party that has brought calamity and looming doom to the country.

And to be able to prescribe a remedial course of action, this later diagnosis is the prognostic path to seriously consider. Everything has been done patiently, up to this moment, to accommodate Gov. Wike. That is an admission that the party appreciates his worth and the group he now leads within the party. But for how long will the party continue to indulge him?

We have always been told that “party is supreme”. This was demonstrated in Osun state recently, where the party member who lost to Governor elect, Chief Olabisi Adeleke and has been in court to disqualify the candidate who has just won his election, has been expelled from the party, the PDP. Why is the PDP reluctant to wield the big stick in Wike’s case?

Let’s see what further concessions Atiku Abubakar will make to Wike and his group when they meet midweek, this week. Will Atiku sacrifice the National Chairman of his party at this critical time? If he does, will he produce the replacement or Wike’s group will? And this is the thorniest of the demands from the Wike camp.

If they cannot agree, will the party wield the big stick and expel Wike from the party? After all, it is obvious that he wants the destruction of the party and the loss of holders of the joint ticket as the appropriate reward that will assuage his badly bruised ego and sense of loss.

Atiku has crossed the Rubicon. He must know now that he will lose the election if the party continues with these distractions. If Wike remains intransigent and recalcitrant, then “party is supreme” mantra must be applied now. Wike should be axed and let whoever wants to go with him go. It is better PDP loses the February 2023 election with peace of mind and control of their party, than lose with all manners of _agberos_ struggling the steering with the driver. In Rivers state, Wike will learn sooner or later that the “Rivers votes” he erroneously thinks are his personal estate do not all belong to him.

As a parting shot, the comportment and deliberate, measured silence of the Vice presidential candidate of the PDP, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa Gov. of Delta State, on this matter, must be highly commended. He has been very presidential. The lack of such comportment is another line of dichotomy with the other fellow. Even the political parties that Wike have hobnobed with so far, while brazenly courting charges of Anti-party, will not want to harbour him too closely, as a party member. Wike must watch it because he will be the ultimate big loser, after all is said and done.

WEMDI NWAHAM is a veteran journalist and he writes from Asaba.

Prince Evans Omatsoguwa has been appointed Chairman, Campaign Council of Joel-Onowakpo Thomas (JOT) Campaign Organization for Delta South Senatorial District come 2023 general elections.

Hon. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, foremost candidate to represent the good people of Delta South Senatorial District, Delta State, under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the announcement of the Constitution of JOT Campaign Organization in a statement signed by him.

Other members of the JOT Campaign Organization includes, Hon Saturday Timinimi- Co-Chairman Campaign Council, Chief Michael Seikegba – Director General, Chief Hon. Benjamin Okiemute Essien – Deputy Director General, Chief Dr. Chris Ekiyor – Assistant Director General – (Izon), Suveyor Peter Akarogbe – Assistant Director General – (Isoko), Chief Charles Omadeli – Assistant Director General – (Itsekiri), Mr. Okoloko Dafe – Assistant Director General-(Urhobo), Dr Adagbabiri—HoD Media and Publicity, Dr Ogaga Ifowodo- Deputy HoD Media and Publicity and Barr. Wilson Alatsha–HoD legal services.

According to the Harvard-trained financial expert, “My fellow members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) family, Delta South Senatorial District, after series of meetings, wide consultations, and a painstaking selection process as the APC Senatorial Candidate for the 2023 elections, I am happy to announce the following persons who will lead us in the campaign for the Delta South Senatorial District.”

“Let me once again thank all the leaders, the APC Local Government party Chairmen and all members of the enlarged campaign committee, for their invaluable services support and encouragement thus far.”

Former FIRS States Coordinator for Rivers, Edo & Delta and APC 2019 House of Representatives candidate for Isoko Federal Constituency, urged all APC members and all his supporters to rally round these men to enable them deliver 5/5 for all their candidates.

The former Chairman, Isoko south Local Council and former Executive Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue said, “Having agreed to devolve the Campaign Organization to the various local government areas, I implore you to play active roles at whatever position you will find yourselves.
Thank you and God bless you all.”