As the various party primaries approach, PDP delegates will be confronted by a deluge of hard choices, they will be frontally assailed by the difficulty of making informed choices devoid of a gamut of extraneous influences, they will be faced with the dilemma of choosing between the devil and the deep blue Sea or between liberty and continued subservience to political godfathers and carpetbaggers.
The daggers drawn rift in the leadership of Delta State PDP between a fast fading godfather and his truculent erstwhile godson will surely rear its ugly head in the forthcoming PDP primaries where delegates hold the aces, hence, it is going to be a battle royale between the old and new godfathers over who controls the soul of Delta State PDP.
Suffice to say that the epic battle will pit the former governor of Delta State, chief James Onanefe Ibori against the incumbent governor, Senator ( Dr) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, both will lock horns over which camp will retain the levers of power in the PDP controlled state come 2023.
Many savvy but conscionable politicians across the divide hope to capitalize and take full advantage of the open rift between Ibori and Okowa to precipitate the long walk to freedom for themselves and other hapless captives of the iron clad influence, shackles or white knuckle hold of the two unconscionable personalities.
The principal reason behind this belated self-awakening by some PDP stakeholders is predicated on the sudden realisation by many of the delegates that the Choice of Olorogun David Edevwie by Chief James Ibori and the insipid choice of Sheriff Oborevwori by governor Infeanyi Okowa is self-centered and mainly for the perpetuation of their personal hold on the reins of power, either by themselves or by members of their invidious cabals, comprising of their family members, political and business acolytes, goons and cronies in and outside the corridors of power.
These unconscionable leaders are devoid of any iota of consideration for the growth, welfare and progress of fringe members of their cabals and others who are not members of their occultic cycles.
Gladly, PDP members in Delta State are coming to the bitter realization that, supporting either Okowa or Ibori to consolidate their hold on power is akin to self-immolation, together with the capacity of further dimming the chances of the mass of delegates who are considered by the leadership of PDP as mere hewers of wood who must serve the interest of their paymasters above their own primordial welfare and aspirations.
Factually, it is imperative to aver that there is no more auspicious time as this to apply the dictum which highlights the importance of catching in on opportunities to make and unmake ones destiny. It is implicitly true that when the delegates realize the humongous powers at their disposal, they will be compelled to deploy same and catapult themselves up the social strata from perpetual servile servants to whom their servitude had hitherto consigned them, to Avant-garde leaders with powers to change their destinies and that of their children.
For a certainty, anybody who unilaterally arrogates to himself the imprimatur to decide the aspirant delegates should identify with would see it as a right to assume the responsibility/ prerogative to decide what non pecuniary stakes should be shared to delegates when the battle is won. The compelling reason why delegates must shine their eyes least they are taken for a ride by the self-acclaimed political leaders.
PDP delegates must take a cue from the standards established by Dr. Senator Okowa himself, a trait which catapulted him to the governor of Delta State. His immediate predecessor Dr Uduaghan refused supporting him when he announced his decision to vie for the governorship, but he was undeterred as his persistence and defiance paid off handsomely. That courageous decision and not slavish loyalty made Okowa to become the governor of our treasured state. Surely no less an elevation from political obscurity to political limelight awaits all delegate bold enough to toe the path of courage and selfdom by evaluating the character and programmes of the aspirants to decide for themselves who will better serve the collective interest of Deltans and Delta State. PDP delegates are all advised to say a resounding no to whatever shenanigans both Okowa and Ibori deploy to foist their candidates on the party for the exalted Office of the governor of Delta State.
History beckons on you, therefore, all the support you had previously given to Okowa and Ibori pales into insignificance when juxtaposed against their clannish manipulation to foist their children on Deltans as members of the state and national assembly.
Each one of them has penciled their children for the House of Assembly and House of Representatives, notwithstanding the anomaly of such an imposition that is akin to feudalism and utter disdain for the average party loyalist who continuously makes sacrifices for the progress and growth of the party.
It is ironical to observe that the same Okowa who resisted Uduaghan playing God over his destiny now wants to play God over the destinies of others. Chai, our mumu no too much? Shame on Okowa and his hypocrisy
If delegates fail to draw on the strength of their votes to pick a well deserving aspirant to steer the political affairs of Delta State, all of us may just be entrenching an oligarch that will rule you, your children and grandchildren without the least consideration for equity, fairness and justice.
So Deltans must rise up and shake off this modern slavery clothed in the epithet of loyalty to any biped called leader. We must take our destiny in our hand and strive to build an egalitarian society devoid of money and ethno – religious politics. Collect their money, but vote your conscience.
Dr Ndidi Okolocha, an Investment Consultant, writes from Minnesota, USA
