Delta 2023: Ndokwa East Leaders Say Zoning Of Governorship Seat Would Entrench Peace In Delta

By Sunday Apah

Political leaders of Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State have stated that zoning would bring unity and peace to the polity of Delta State.

The leaders made this known when members of the DC-23 paid a consultation visit to the political leaders at the residence of Chief Godswill Obielum in Asaba, the state capital.

Speaking on behalf of the leaders, Chief Godswill Obielum said zoning would bring about peace and unity if properly adhered to.

He expressed happiness on the lobby of the DC-23 which, he said, was in the right direction, adding that “There is need to begin the zoning now. We the people of Delta North have already keyed into zoning, that is why no one is contesting for governorship from the North,” he reaffirmed.

“It is all the handiwork of our leader, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, who is leading us in the right direction. It is the governor that will tell us where to go. When he says it is Delta Central, we have no objection.”

“So, I urge leaders and members of the DC-23 to liase and talk with the governor to enable him do your biddings”, he added.

Earlier, the National Chairman of DC-23, Senator (Chief) Ighoyota Amori, stated that the body was a lobby group made up of card carrying members of the PDP in the Delta Central Senatorial District to lobby support for the governorship seat for the district in 2023.

He noted that the DC-23 was not different from the G-3 of the Delta South Senatorial District that was formed to drive the process of election of immediate the past governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and the Anioma Agenda that was formed in 2014 to propel the process of election of the current governor of the state, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa.

According to him, “those who want to contest against the aspirants of Delta Central Senatorial District have their argument for the governorship seat, likewise us, but we can’t talk of zoning on ethnic lines because the state is made up of various ethnic groups like Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Ika, Ndokwa, Oshimili, Aniocha and few others; hence, the appeal from us to maintain the zoning arrangement on the basis of senatorial districts in the state.”

“We want to establish a sustainable system where when it gets to the turn of your senatorial district, no one from other senatorial districts will contest against the benefitting district. So, the argument that Urhobo or other ethnic groups contested during the turn of other senatorial districts will no longer be there”, he added.

He pointed out that the DC-23 was not lobbying or campaigning for any particular aspirant, but to ensure that the governorship seat moved to the Delta Central Senatorial District in 2023 on the platform of the existing zoning for the seat in the state.

He appealed to the Ndokwa East political leaders to support the DC-23 push for zoning arrangement on senatorial districts to enhance the chances of the PDP continuing in the governance of the state beyond 2023.

Those that received DC-23 leaders and members included Chief Godswill Obielum, Hon. Elder Ifeanyi Nwukamike, Chief Dr. Charles Olisa, Hon. Chukuma Justus, Prince Igwe Nzekwe, Prince Mike Oputa, Hon. (Dr.) Nkechi Chukura, Hon. Chika Ossai, Ugo Nwokolo, Rt. Hon. Onuah Prince, Chief Oputa Ifeanyi, Barr. Felix O. Ugulu, Philip Ozoemena Udeme, Hon. Domero Omohovie, Hon. Dickson Okonta, Dr. Oku Oguafor, Chief E. I Onyeuku, Nkem Odili, Ngozi Uchenebi, Jerry Ibiromah, Ikechukwu Akozor and Michael Ogeleka.

Top among leaders and members of DC-23 that went for the visit included Chief Ighoyota Amori, Olorogun Solomon Ighrakpata, Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Reuben Izeze, 1st National Vice Chairman; Chief Suru Salami, 2nd National Vice Chairman; Dr. Chris Oharisi, National Secretary, Olorogun Taleb Tebite, National Financial Secretary, Olorogun Barr Arthur Akpowowo, National Publicity Secretary; Chief Christian Onogba, Assistant National Organising Secretary; Hon (Chief) Sunday Apah, Assistant National Publicity Secretary; Hon. Godwin Atose, National Organising Secretary; Hon. Festus Pemu, Assistant National Publicity Secretary; Mr. Austin Opubor, National Welfare Officer, Mr. Matthew Tsekiri, Assistant National Secretary, Deacon Raymond Edijala, Assistant National Treasurer, Hon. Elohor Urhobe, Assistant National Women Leader.

Others were Chief Ejaife Odebala, former member Delta State House of Assembly; Olorogun Bernard Edewor, Deputy Chairman of BoT; Chief Emmanuel Ighomena, Secretary, BoT; Chief Andy Osawota, Chief Eunice Okoh, Chief (Dr.) Isaac Akpoveta, Engr. Eric Osiobe, Hon. Onoriode Ishegbe, Mr. Godfrey Etabuko, Chief (Mrs.) Alice Ogba, Noreen Ughojor, Chief Victor Otuburu, Chief Collins Eboh, Prince Robinson Samuel, Mrs Iroro Mado, Emmanuel Oghomienor, Okor James, Chief Lucky Emojeya, Wilson Agbure, Chief Moses Orhokpor, Mr. David Ejukonemu, Francis Onogbo, Lucky Esokpor, Godwin Oke, Chief Israel Abido, representatives of Olorogun Kenneth Okpara, representatives of Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas, representatives of Olorogun David Edevbie, representatives of Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, representatives of Chief James Augoye, Representatives of Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi and a host of others.