The coverted efforts being made by the Loyalists of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the House of Representatives to Force the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Dr Godwin Emefeiele to immediately tender his resignation over his Presidential ambition to pave the way for the former Lagos State Governor has hit the rock.

It was gathered that the loyalists being led by the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila had perfected the plan to pass a resolution at the emergency plenary session earlier summoned for Monday May 9 that CBN had abused his office by purchasing the Presidential nomination form under the APC while still in office and as such should tender his resignation failure which the President should sack

According to findings, when the alleged plan came to the knowledge of the lawmakers loyal to the CBN boss across the political parties, they reportedly regrouped and marshalled plans to counter the move and resolved to sack all the APC principal officers for supporting such action

According to our source, ” we received a notice of an emergency plenary session, we were made to believe that the session was to discuss the crisis in the Nation’s Aviation sector, we supported the idea but only for those championing the Presidential ambition of Bola Tinubu to go and work on another agenda which is to force the CBN governor out of office immediately because of his perceived Presidential ambition, this is not a Banana Republic

” The latest information is that the lawmakers that are against the move have gone back to the drawing board to counter the ignoble move, the entire Principal officers of the ruling party will be impeached immediately and they will have to explain to the whole Nigerians and the entire World how they padded the last National budget , we have the facts and figures of what we are saying”

It was gathered that following this development, the speaker quickly resolved that the crisis in the Aviation sector should be handled by the Leadership of the house involving all the leaders of the Political Parties in the house

Consequently, the Speaker reportedly directed the Clerk to the House of Representatives, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria to issue an official statement for the cancellation of the emergency plenary earlier slated for Monday.

In the statement, the Clerk said that
the leadership of the House of Representatives has cancelled the proposed emergency plenary session scheduled to hold on Monday, 9th May, 2022 over the lingering crisis over hike in the price of Aviation fuel otherwise called Jet-A.

The memo dated May 8, 2022 reads, ‘I am directed to inform all Hon Members, staff, media and the general public that the House hereby cancels the Emergency Plenary Session earlier scheduled for tomorrow 9th May, 2022.

Renowned human rights crusader and Nigeria’s Constitutional Lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay has stated that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele is not in breached of any law for joining the country’s 2023 Presidential race.

Sagay stated this during an interview with Daily Trust Newspaper reporter, Mr. Abdullateef Aliyu, while x-raying the legality of Emefiele’s qualification to run for the Nigeria’s President

On the call from Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State for Emefiele to resign as CBN Governor before joining the APC Presidential contest, the Chairman of the Nigeria Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) said, “There is a court judgement which has not been overturned that says you don’t have to resign until 30 days before an election. Until that is overturned, that is the law that governs that situation for now”.

Emefiele, who just picked the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms yesterday, following calls from Nigerians across the country to join the 2023 Presidential race, was asked to immediately resign as CBN Governor in a letter by the Ondo State Governor. But the Emeritus Professor and Nigeria’s Constitutional lawyer said Emefiele has until 30 days to 2023 elections to resign if he so wish to run.

Insisting that Emefiele has not breached any law for joining the race and that he’s duly qualified to run, Sagay noted that with the multitude of aspirants that have so far indicated interest, it appears there is a plot by some people to perpetuate themselves in power.

While noting that the whole APC nomination process was being turned into a theatre of the absurd, the legal luminary said “It is like there is a guiding line behind all the confusion whose main objective is to ensure either a Southern candidate is not elected or if a Southern candidate is put there, it would be a candidate who can only serve for four years so that those behind the plot can now come in.

“So it’s either those Northern plotters come in now or they want to create a situation in which somebody would come in for four years so that those behind the plot can now come in.”

Delta State PDP leading Governorship aspirant, Olorogun David Edevbie, has revealed that his idea of producing a Development Plan for Delta State is what inspired the Government of Lagos State to also put up a plan for which Lagos is now admired as Centre of Excellence.

Pointing out that while Lagos has maintained their development plan through successive administrations to achieve enviable infrastructural, social and economic growth, he regretted that that of Delta State has been abandoned and assured that he will revive it when elected as Governor.

“When I first came in as Commissioner of Finance, I asked Chief James Ibori for the Development Plan of the state. There was none, so he asked me to draw up one. We then assembled a team of our local people and brought in some Lebanese who together drew up a 20 years Development Plan for Delta State,” Edevbie revealed.

“At a meeting with Chief Ibori and then Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in Lagos, Ibori asked me a question on our plan and we discussed it briefly on the side. After the meeting, Tinubu called me back, said he heard us talking about development plan and asked me what the plan was about. I told him it was the 20-year development plan for our state.

“He was impressed but surprised that we already had a 20-year development plan early in the administration. He asked me how we did it and who did it for us and I referred him. He immediately took action to draw up their own development plan using the same persons along with other people. That is how Lagos State got their development plan.

“We have done well in Delta State but we would have gone far in development if we had been following the plan. The difference between us and Lagos State is that they have followed their plan through successive administrations while we have abandoned our own.

“By the grace of God, when I am elected Governor, I will bring back the development plan within the first six months. The plan will cover our three Senatorial Districts, various economic and social sectors and with medium and long term goals.

“It will be debated upon by public hearing and passed as legislation by the House of Assembly as a working document so that successive administrations do not deviate from it.

“This will help us organise and integrate our development process. All districts and communities will see what is in it for them, in the present and for the future and this will resolve the apprehension of various ethnic groups and communities about the development of their areas.

“I do not believe that development is achieved by putting all major projects in one’s backyards. We cannot achieve anything by developing one area and leaving others. That is not development. All areas have to grow together and connect with one another. That is the way to achieve even development, social balance and political stability.”

By Fred Edoreh

Just read a piece by Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Executive Assistant on Communication to His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, blaming the public rejection of Sheriff Oborevwori and the collapse of his campaign on the media of Olorogun David Edevbie Campaign Organisation.

Apparently deployed as spokesperson for Oborevwori, in his piece titled “2023: Threats Of Defection To APC Over Oborevwori’s Foreseeable Victory, Desperation Taken Too Far,” he also suggested that Chief James Ibori is supporting Olorogun David Edevbie for Governorship in order for him to gain access to the state treasury and may be planning to either defect to the APC or engage in anti-Party activities in the event that his preferred candidate does not clinch the PDP Gubernatorial ticket.

We ordinarily would not have bothered to respond to Latimore because we already know that Deltans regard him as a clown and do not take him seriously.

The State Government confirmed his condition in one of the series of sack letters issued him, dated December 29, 2021, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Patrick Ukah, in which he was cited for “manifest recklessness and insubordination” which they also described as a “trend,” all of which suggest a level of instability.

We would like to point out that Olorogun David Edevbie and Sheriff Oborevwori are not just members of the same political family and the PDP, they are personal friends and regard themselves as brothers. We wish that Latimore had been leashed in order not to destroy this relationship but we however have to respond to his wild statements in the need to better inform the public and to set the records right for posterity.

We have always made it clear that Olorogun David Edevbie Campaign Organisation is not interested in mudslinging and calumny, and we further categorically state that the organisation and its media team are too busy promoting his Manifesto and consolidating his wide acceptance by Deltans as the best qualified, most competent and best prepared candidate for the Governorship of Delta State, such that we have no time and are not interested in the alleged inconsistencies surrounding the personality and credentials of Oborevwori.

We also think that, first, it was unfair on Oborevwori for those using state resources and the party machinery to intimidate party members and delegates to support him, to have, at the same time, sent him somebody whom they have confirmed to trend in “manifest recklessness” to be his image maker. His travails and collapse of his personal image is therefore just a fait accompli consequent upon the unprofessional and reckless attributes of his handler.

The truth, however, is that Oborevwori may only possibly be choking from his own mess and we sincerely sympathise with him. As the elders say, no matter how deep you go under the water to mess, the smell will surely come up.

It appears that Deltans have perceived a bad odour around him and they, not us, are asking questions on the inconsistencies surrounding his identity, age and the educational certificates he submitted under oath.

They are asking how and why his identity changes at every point of his life, on every of his certificate from primary to secondary to university to NYSC to Masters.

They are asking to know his true age given that different affidavits in reference to him, as are viral in the public space, put his year of birth as 1979 and as 1963.

They are wondering that, if he was born in 1963 and obtained his Senior School Certificate (WASSC) in 1999, it means he wrote the examination at the age of 36.

They are wondering how possible it was that he already had been a Supervisory Councillor for Works in Okpe LGA in 1996, was already Chairman of Okpe Community and possibly already titled the Ukodo of Okpe Kingdom with Primary School certificate, before he sat for and obtained his WASSC in 1999. Deltans are find this incredulous.

Deltans are saying if perhaps he went to the school to re-enroll, possibly after failing in several attempts or neglecting to further his education in the whole of 17-year period after he left primary school, it would make sense to see a photo of him in the school uniform of Oghareki Grammar School at age 36 when he purportedly resumed and wrote the exam, because that is what obtains, except in the case of GCE in which students can go to any centre in mufti.

As we hear, he may have withdrawn his “B.Sc.” and Master’s Certificate from his documentation with the PDP South South Gubernatorial Screening Committee, leaving only the Primary School and Secondary School certificates. If so, we hope he also remembered to remove his NYSC certificate from the file both in Port Harcourt and at the PDP National Secretariat where he first submitted his credentials. Of course, we know that many things are possible.

The suspicion of some Deltans, following the various revelations, is that, perhaps, the Francis which is indicated in the Primary School Leaving Certificate and the WASSC which he uses is possibly someone else’s, which is why Sheriff is not reflected in both of them in any way; that having possibly borrowed or bought the certificates to pursue his political career and to also “gain” admission into the university, he went on to begin to insert Sheriff in the subsequent certificates to effectively convert them to his person.

Some others are asking what name he used to write the JAMB UTM Examination for the admission into the university and, if by direct entry, what qualifications and other certificates he used.

Another suspicion being expressed is that he possibly did not write the WASSC exam by himself but probably employed a younger person to write it for him, given his age, 36, as at that 1999, and that was why the certificate put his year of birth as 1979 which is fairly plausible age for sitting for and obtaining a secondary school certificate.

These are public all conjectures, including further suspicions that, being unable to defend the documents he presented in Port Harcourt, he rushed back to Delta to procure an affidavit to harmonise his many names overnight Thursday which was passed through the back door to the committee for him to get his provisional clearance on Saturday afternoon which he took to church on Sunday to say he got it since Thursday.

True or false, whatever happened at the Screening venue is best known to him and his backers but, obviously, there is no smoke without fire. There were other aspirants at the screening and no such stories has been told about them.

What we do understand though is that Delta PDP faithfuls are terrified that continuing attempts to force Oborevwori on the party with all these contradictions, regardless of possible cover-ups from high quarters, may not stand the test of time and possible rigorous judicial scrutiny, post election.

These, from what we are hearing in the public place, are the nagging issues and the onus of defence can only be on the man whose name, age and certificates he provided on oath are in public doubt.

We however find it inglorious that when we are talking about producing a Governor for our dear Delta State, Deltans are being thoroughly embarrassed by such tales of inconsistencies over the true name, age and authenticity of the certificate(s) of one of the aspirants.

On the allusions to Ibori political family and defection to the APC as well as the attempt to defame Edevbie, we see them only as flowing from his adult deliquency.

There indeed cannot be a stronger and more iconic member of the Ibori political family than Latimore’s Principal, our dear Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who served as Commissioner in three ministries under Governor Ibori and moved up as Secretary to the State Government under Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan before heading to the Senate.

In becoming the Governor, it is also on record that in the 2014 Primary, Ibori clearly supported him against Edevbie and still supported his re-election in 2019. In fact, at a thanksgiving service for their re-election held at Christ Embassy Church in Warri and attended by both Governor Okowa and Ibori, the Deputy Governor, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro, testified that Governor “Ibori stood shoulder to shoulder with Okowa” to fight off the opposition who had planned to use federal might to take Delta by force.

We are not aware that Governor Okowa had ceased to be a member of the Ibori political family after then. In fact, same day, as Latimore wrote to insult Chief Ibori, Governor Okowa, at his Quarterly Media Chat with journalists, reaffirmed his membership of the Ibori political family, saying that the bond remains intact. This is also in consonance with Edevbie’s statement during his consultation visit to delegates of Ika North East LGA that his friendship and affinity with Okowa cannot be broken.

Again, Governor Okowa himself testified that right from the day after the 2014 Primary, Edevbie immediately joined his campaign and supported him in several ways for which he asked participants at the rally to thank him on his behalf. Such solidarity exhibited by Edevbie can only come from an open-minded and politically civilised gentleman who regards contest in party primaries as a family.

Presently and with the wide approval and acceptance by Deltans as the best hand to take over the mantle of governorship, Edevbie is looking ahead, after his victory at the primaries and at the general elections, to consolidate on the achievements of Governor Okowa and to take Delta State to greater glory through his Modernisation Agenda

Deltans across the three districts and various ethnic groups are enthusiastic about his candidature and are highly expectant of a bright future with him as Governor under the PDP.

Edevbie’s victory will be not just the victory of Governor Okowa, the Ibori political family and Delta PDP, but, most importantly, the victory of all state and to the glory of the God, in view of the robust and vibrant social economy and infrastructural development that Deltans trust Edevbie usher in.

The deliberate misinformation campaign to defame Edevbie is therefore the laziest and most inconsequential mis-propaganda, because he has been in this country for the past 23 years; travels abroad as may be necessary; has served Delta State at various times; has served at the Presidency; continues to traverse various parts of the country and both the EFCC and the UK officials have thoroughly investigated him during Goodluck Jonathan’s Presidency and, till date, he has neither been charged nor prosecuted in any court for any offence, neither in Nigeria nor overseas.

In fact, it was Edevbie himself who took the bold and unusual step of suing the EFCC to court to force them to charge and prosecute him before the law if they have found any malfeasance in him both during his services as Commissioner of Finance in Delta State and as Principal Secretary to late President Umaru Yar’adua.

Details of his suit challenging the EFCC to prosecute him is well captured in the Vanguard newspaper report of February 14, 2013. Till date, they haven’t charged him for anything, obviously because they have not found any fault in him.

However, in trying to defame Edevbie, Latimore does not see that he at the same time is maligning his Principal and all others who served in various capacities under Governor Ibori from the beginning to the end of his administration.

He does not see that he also seems to be suggesting that his Principal must have a poor judgement for appointing a person whom Latimore accuses of fraud as his Commissioner of Finance and later Chief of Staff. Or is it that he appointed Edevbie to also help him to the Treasury as Latimore suggests?

But, we know that Latimore’s loquaciousness is in consonance with his Principal’s assessment of him as a person of “manifest recklessness.”
The only pity is how he keeps such character to speak for him and how he was further seconded to our friend, Oborevwori.

We are certain that, having worked together with Edevbie under Governor Ibori and having also followed his performance at the Presidency, Governor Okowa truly appreciates Edevbie’s capacity and trusts his character, hence he appointed him his Commissioner of Finance.

Okowa knows that Edevbie led the state to invest in Econet which yielded multiple financial returns to the state, just the way Peter Obi invested in SabMiller which has yielded a hundred fold for Anambra. He also knows that as at the time of the sales of the VMobile shares, Edevbie had long left the services of the State Government and was no longer the Commissioner of Finance.

During Edevbie’s swearing-in as Chief of Staff, Okowa testified that he comes “with a lot of Knowledge.” On his birthday in 2020, Okowa also testified that he has continued to offer genuine leadership to the state and the country, that he has offered invaluable professional contributions and advice towards the development of Delta State, and that he does things the way things are done in developed climes.

Deltans want their state to be governed like developed climes and these qualities and virtues which Okowa himself has seen Edevbie are what have endeared him to Deltans.

They can clearly see that Edevbie’s personal organisation, coordination, knowledge, thought power, information processing ability, experience, competence and personal carriage are far and above other aspirants, not to talk of one whose personal name, age and certificates are subject of public doubt and debate at this time.

That, really, is why Deltans are terrified at the mention of Oborevwori’s name. We do not know if the swearing of affidavits and more affidavits can cure the contradictions. We are not judges and we do not hold court but we do know that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. The jury is out there and with time but that is why, should Oborevwori and his promoters insist on proceeding with him, PDP members and delegates are sure to reject him at the primaries in order not to create collateral damage for their party and to avoid any bad story for their state.

We can only advise Latimore that, rather than blaming us for the possible self-affliction of his new Principal, they should purge themselves of the trend of “manifest recklessness” and stop compounding the sordid situation by digging deeper down the pit of infamy.

By Ifado Atameyo

Ahead of the Gubernatorial primaries, a cross section of PDP delegates have called on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to put the interest of the state over and above any personal grievances in producing his successor.

In an opinion poll conducted on thousands of delegates across the state at the conclusion of consultation visits by the aspirants, majority of them said after assessing the personality and programmes of the aspirants, they have seen that Olorogun David Edevbie is unarguably the most qualified and best prepared to deliver on the job.

Pointing out that their conviction tallied with Governor Okowa’s commendations of Edevbie on several occasions, they wondered why he would now be shying away from the glaring fact

They revealed that at a meeting with selected Councillors Governor Okowa told them that out of the three persons shortlisted by the DC-23, two contested against him in the 2014 primaries and that is why he is against them.

Majority of them who pleaded anonymity pleaded with Governor Okowa to remember his words and have a rethink, pointing out that the state will suffer consequences if the party denies the best hand simply because of Governor Okowa’s malice against Edevbie.

They also expressed worries about ongoing stifling of free political opinions, intimidation and victimisation of delegates perceived to be in disagreement with a different choice.

Saying that in view of the harrassment they are weary of speaking publicly, they indicated that they will however vote according to their conscience at the primaries.

Reviewing the Governor’s position, they pointed out that contesting in the primaries within the same political party is a family affair and should not lead to such malice as to undermine both the interest of the party and the state as a whole.

“We have long gone past the 2014 primaries. After all said and done, the party made sure that the right thing was done and Okowa emerged Governor. Should that not satisfy him?

“We have also seen the video of a rally attended by some of our members in which Okowa told the people that immediately after the 2014 primaries we became a reconciled and united family. He also said on that occasion that right from the day of the primaries, Olorogun David Edevbie had continued to support him in several ways, leading to his victory at the general elections. He even called him up to the podium and asked the people to thank Edevbie on his behalf. So, why is he still holding malice and taking us back to same issue which he himself said had long been settled? Even the UPU (Urhobo Progress Union) has appealed to him to let go. What else? Should we now say that people who contest against each other in our party primaries should remain mortal enemies? Is that healthy?

“Apart from the fact that all Deltans can see that Edevbie is most qualified, experienced and exposed, we have also been taking note of what Okowa has said about him through the years. There must be a reason why he appointed him his Commissioner of Finance and Chief of Staff also. You cannot give those positions somebody you do not trust. In 2020 or so, he said Edevbie has continued to offer genuine leadership not only to Delta State but to Nigeria, that he comes with a lot of knowledge, that his professional services to the state has been invaluable, that he does things like they are done in developed countries. These are the things that Okowa has told us about Edevbie that has also endeared us to him, so why should he now be turning away from such qualities simply because of his malice against him on the long foregone 2014 primaries? That is not the right way to choose a Governor for our state. It is also not the right value or spirit for a leader to inculcate in his people. What is most important is the capacity to generate resources and manage development. That is what Delta State needs and that is not in question on Edevbie.

“However, Okowa remains our Governor and we can only appeal to him to rethink his stands in the overall interest of the development and future of the state.”

On Edevbie’s closest rival, Sheriff Oborevwori, the delegates said they have nothing personal against him but that he is equipped enough to govern the state.

“Sheriff is a member of the family. We have also taken note of the issues surrounding his name and certificates. We can see that something is wrong somewhere such that could cause collateral damage to our party if care is not taken. For many of us and our leaders, we know he is not molded and equipped as a Governor. It takes more than being a local champion but he has his role. As Speaker, he cooperated with Okowa to have his way on everything such that there was no rancour between the executive and the legislature but when it comes to the nuances of governing the state, that is a different ball which requires higher personal organisation and coordination, higher professional skills, greater competence in development issues, global exposure and wide contacts. We all know he cannot compare with Edevbie on these. Even Governor Okowa knows that.

“We know that they are capitalising on the fact that some of us delegates do not fully understand these issues and so they would just transport us, camp us and lead us like sheep to vote according to their instruction. We know that it is because they have manipulated the process and got a list of ad-hoc delegates that serves their interest while they lie that they are organising free and fair primaries, but we all know that we are not lying to anybody but to ourselves. That is why we are quietly appealing to some of our leaders to see the larger picture and the implications for the future of our state if they use all those lies to leave the best just to satisfy a sense of malice.”

(Ifado Atameyo, native of Iyede-Ame, writes from Ozoro)

By News View

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the member representing Warri South Constituency II in the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), Hon. Matthew Opuoru has outlined a cursory scorecard within his last three years in the State Assembly.

Opuoru unveiled some of his achievements as a worthy legislator that deserves a return ticket to the DTHA while addressing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, delegates and Party faithful in Warri today.

He said on assuming office as Lawmaker Warri South Constituency II, buoyed by the desire to reduce the poverty rate and tackle the infrastructural deficit in the education sector across Warri South Constituency II, he immediately launched a micro-economic support scheme and introduced critical educational intervention programmes, as part of his constituency projects.

The articulate Lawmaker highlighted some of his empowerment and educational intervention programmes as;
• Empowerment of 200 of his constituents, including 10 people with disabilities, with N5,000.00 monthly, totaling One Million Naira (N1, 000, 000. 00) per month and 12 Million Naira (N12, 000, 000. 00) per annum.

He disclosed that the scheme was inaugurated Monday December 16, 2019 and has continued uninterrupted till date, despite the economic shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. That the empowerment scheme has expanded to accommodate more persons.

“There are currently 242 beneficiaries, amounting to N1,210,000.00 monthly. Eight other persons get N50,000.00 monthly (totaling N400,000.00). Two persons receive N100,000.00 each, every month, one beneficiary get N20,000.00 monthly, bringing the grand total expended monthly on my empowerment programme to N1,830,000.00”. Opuoru added.

On appointment, Opuoru boasted of having 14 Aides, which are; Kenneth Omohwovo, Ufuoma Akporiaye, Ejiro Amromano, Atanoma Eric, Emma Akpotomi, Henry Mughweghwe, Federal Akumagba, Onome Egboro, Memuduaghan Lucky, Shola Godwin, Agbaje Ese, Omughelli Ogheneyerhowo, Sylvester Eburu and Evwerhamre Venture.

“Apart from the 14 Aides, there are others commissioned to play strategic roles from the background, in my resolve to give people of Warri South Constituency II, what they have been yearning over the years”. He stated.

Recall that the current Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Dr. Michael Tidi, who spoke during the inauguration of the micro support scheme on Monday December 16, 2019, stated: “We haven’t seen this kind of thing before. He (Hon. Opuoru) deserves applause. No need for competition amongst political office holders, we should complement ourselves. I advise the beneficiaries to invest the money into productive ventures, even though it is small”.

Outlining further achievements, Opuoru said “On August 13, 2020, eight public primary and secondary schools under Warri South Constituency II in Warri South Local Government Area; vis-à-vis Ikengbuwa, Pessu, Igbudu, Olodi and Ighogbadu Primary Schools as well as Edjeba Secondary School and Essi College I and II respectively, received new 540 desks and 60 teachers’ tables/chairs, courtesy of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, in collaboration with me. While Ikengbuwa Primary School got sixty desks, six teachers’ tables/chairs, Pessu Primary School received sixty desks, six teachers’ tables/chairs and Edjeba Secondary School, took delivery of eighty desks and ten teachers’ chairs/tables. Ighogbadu Primary School, received eighty desks and eight teachers’ chairs/tables, while Igbudu Primary School got sixty desks and six teachers’ chairs/tables, leaving Essi College I, with fifty desks and six teacher’s chairs/ tables. Essi College II, received ninety desks and twelve teachers’ chairs/tables. Olodi Primary School took delivery of sixty desks and six teachers’ chairs/tables.

“As part of my 2021 constituency projects, I renovated a block of six classrooms at Olodi Primary School, a block of two classrooms at Aileru Primary School and constructed eight toilet facilities/stores in Essi College II and United College of Commerce, simultaneously.
• I want to also assure that the drainage project at Ikengbuwa Primary School, Ajamimogha, Warri, which I included in my 2022 constituency project, would be completed before the end of December this year. God willing, before December this year, the projects at Merogun and Ogedegbe Primary Schools, will be completed. Recall, I moved a motion to that effect in the State House of Assembly, when the roofs and other critical structures of Merogun and Ogedegbe Primary Schools, were destroyed by rain/wind.

“Plans are also on the way to provide 540 tables and chairs to Merogun Primary School I and II, Ogedegbe Primary School, Ailero Primary School, Ojojo Primary School, Agbassa Primary School, Torufa Primary School and Dore Numa College, all in Warri, before the end of the year”.

Opuoru, who sought permission from the audience to add that the aforementioned were just the beginning of greater things to come for Warri South Constituency II from 2023, that with the renewal of his mandate by the grace of God and with usual support from his constituents, revealed that he also influenced the construction/completion of strategic internal roads in Okere-Urhobo, Warri.

“These intervention programmes did not deter me from effectively carrying out my legislative and oversight functions in the State House of Assembly”. He added.

By ODEYA OGBETUO

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, a Warri based Niger Delta leader Mr. Igho Egheba Okumagba has reiterated the position of Urhobos of Warri in their determination to retain their territory and ensure that an Urhobo man represent Warri South Constituency 2 in the Delta State House of Assembly in the 2023 general elections.

Okumagba who made this assertion while speaking to newsmen in Warri, Delta State said that to avoid looming crisis no Itsekiri man should use proxy to claim indigene of Urhobo of Warri to enable him contest in Warri South Constituency 2 which is predominantly Urhobo people, adding that this political intrusion would not be acceptable to the people of Okere Urhobo and Agbarha Warri Kingdoms.

According to him “Warri South Constituency 1 which belongs to Itsekiri always have Itsekiri man representing them at DTHA, but ironically another Itsekiri man the current Warri South Local Government Chairman has declared his interest to contest under Constituency 2 which is predominantly Urhobo territory with over 90 percent of the indigenes are of Okere Urhobo and Agbarha Warri Kingdoms”.

He disclosed that there are three kingdoms in Warri South Local Government Area with Itsekiri kingdom known as Warri kingdom, Okere Urhobo kingdom and Agbarha Warri kingdom with their different territories, stressing that INEC decided to create two Constituencies with Constituency 1 for the Itsekiri and Constituency 2 for Urhobos of Agbarha Warri and Okere Urhobo kingdoms in Warri metropolis.

In his words “An Itsekiri man from Itsekiri territory should not pose to be an Urhobo man to enable him contest in Urhobo territory. The purported endorsement of an Itsekiri man to contest in Constituency 2 by some Agbarha Warri women has been arranged to gain political relevance. It is a gimmick and cantankerous. This arrangement will not yield fruitful results as Urhobos are aware of the trick to claim ownership of Warri metropolis”.

Okumagba clearly stated that Olu of Warri title belongs to the Itsekiri monarch and the Itsekiri people and does not mean ownership of Warri metropolis.

“Urhobos of Okere Urhobo and Agbarha Warri are contented with their territory. None of these kingdoms should extend their political influence over another territory”.

Okumagba who recalled what led to the ownership crisis in Warri said “In 1952, the then leader of the Action Group party and minister in the defunct Western Region Government, Chief Obafemi Awolowo established an Itsekiri Communal Land Trust over Warri land with the Olu of Warri as Chairman. The Urhobos protested and requested that Olu of Warri should restrict himself to Itsekiri territory in Warri and this led to several court cases that ended at the Supreme Court of Nigeria in favour of Urhobo”.

He affirmed that Urhobos won’t accept political manipulation to claim Warri South Constituency 2 by another tribe to validate purported ownership.

He called on the Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the Delta State Commissioner of Police and other security agencies to call Dr. Mike Tidi to order to avoid crisis that may erupt from his ambition to contest under Warri South Constituency 2 of DTHA.