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2015: The Delta North Challenge
By Dr. Joshua Enueme
Newsdiaryonline
Thur Oct 13,2011
The Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel
Uduaghan recently at a reception held at Onitcha-Ugbo for
elected and appointed sons and daughters of Delta North advised
the people of the senatorial district to be united so as to
achieve the objective of producing the next governor of the
state in 2015. It must be observed also that Mr. Ejaife Odebala
in his reaction disagreed with the governor, stating that there
was never zoning of political offices in Delta State, and so the
people of Delta North deserve no special treatment or concession
for the office of governor.
One is indeed, flattered by the governor’s advise. However, we
are constrained to ask whether Dr. Uduaghan emerged as PDP
governorship candidate and finally as governor because there was
consensus among Itsekiri and among the people of Delta South his
senatorial district. One is not amused by this statement of the
governor because it is quite clear that he made the comment not
out of any altruism for Delta North but an escape route. This is
because there is no sincerity in it. If he sincerely wants to
help Delta North, he should do so without preconditions.
Perhaps, he needs to be assured that the people of Delta North
know and understand fully the task ahead of them, and are not
making pretension about it. We are also aware of all the gang
ups going on, particularly with the Isokos and Ijaws to make
Delta South rule for 16 years despite that the Itsekiris also of
Delta South are ruling for eight years. This is why in Delta
North; we are not under any illusion at all.
Thus, the comment of Mr. Ejefia Odebala about Delta North
attests to the grand conspiracy against Anioma people. Yes, his
right to freedom of speech is acknowledged, except that his
comment betrays the type of decorum that subsists in Delta
politics. I want to thank him for reminding Delta North that
Delta Central will produce the governor in 2011, and for
suggesting also that those of us in Delta North should be on
lookers.
Of course, there was no written agreement about zoning. But
there is an unwritten understanding about it. It was this
unwritten understanding that produced a two time governor from
Delta Central in Chief James Onanefe Ibori, and from Delta South
in Dr. Uduaghan now enjoying the last lap of his eight years as
governor.
It is unthinkable that Mr. Odebala will pretend not to see in
his kind of mindset the existence of an unfair anomaly if Anioma
(Delta North) does not produce the governor of Delta State come
2015. To go with his kind of stance, which I believe other right
thinking Deltans do not share, will create a problem, as it
would amount to perpetuating the exclusion of Delta North, a
large ethnic group from the state’s strategic political command
post, Governor of Delta State. Of course, this will naturally
draw indignation, which Delta North already feels.
What the likes of Odebala can be sure of is that the people of
Delta North are not willing to be relegated, and conferred with
an inferior status in a state where two political zones,
including Ejaife Odebala’s Delta Central and Uduaghan’s Delta
South have already taken their full shares of eight year tenure
each, as governors.
For the avoidance of doubt, let it be stated loud and clear that
Delta North has shown courage, magnanimity, friendship and
deference to both Delta Central and Delta South when at various
times they sought the understanding of Delta North for support
for their sons to occupy the seat of the Governor of Delta State
for two terms.
We sincerely hope that the political class in Delta State,
particularly those that Delta North have supported and extended
the hand of fellowship to in their time of need will display
courage, political sagacity without chicanery by acknowledging
that power has truly shifted in Delta State. And that 2015 is
the turn of Delta North to produce the governor.
We also trust and believe that the comments of Governor Uduaghan
and his one time Commissioner for Special Duties, Hon Ejaife
Obebala indeed took cognizance of these facts, and that now more
than ever before is when all Deltans should encourage the
attainment of zonal equality. This is the Delta North challenge.
It is not the time to spite or discriminate against Delta North
in the serious matter of producing the Governor of Delta State
in 2015. Having proven our support for the concept of give and
take, and for a truly united Delta State; having also shown
understanding and true brotherhood to our neighbours in Delta
Central and Delta South, Delta North deserves full understanding
and support also from them now.
*Being
the text of a press statement signed by
Dr. Joshua Enueme ,7th
October, 2011, Asaba
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