Delta LG Polls: The Right Thing Will Be Done To Keep PDP Stronger in Aniocha South, Oborevwori Assures Protesting Youths

1. Delta LG Polls: The Right Thing Will Be Done To Keep PDP Stronger in Aniocha South, Oborevwori Assures Protesting Youths

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, Tuesday assured the people of Aniocha South local government area that he would ensure the right thing is done in the forthcoming council election to keep the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stronger.

Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Johnson Erijo, stated this while addressing hundreds of protesting youths from Aniocha South, under the aegis of Concerned Youths for the Political Liberation.

The over 300 irate youths, displaying various posters with diverse inscriptions stormed the Government House in Asaba, barricaded the main entrance for hours,

They demanded the retention of the commissionership position in Ubulu clan and the zoning of the council chairmanship position to Nsukwa clan, at the backdrop of the resignation of Rt. Hon. Joan Onyemaechi as commissioner from Ubulu clan.

Addressing the youths, Hon. Erijo said: “I am very happy because you people have demonstrated again that you are very responsible people. The last time you were here like you said, I was the one that received you people and you handed a petition like this too.

“Today again you have come in a very orderly manner and have made your petition known to the governor in an excellent manner.

“When I listened to your speech, the passion with which you expressed love for our great party the PDP, is very heart warming. From all your disposition, that is not a dispute at all.

“You know when you protested and handed a petition to me, events unfolding shows that at least we have acted based on your protest. So we are happy to receive you.

“We can assure you that this party belongs to all of us and the governor is very very sensitive to all nook and cranny of the state. The governor is taking his time to ensure that the right thing is done everywhere.

“You have given me your petition with your new request, I have listened carefully, I will brief him before presenting the petition. Be rest assured that the governor will do that which will make the PDP stronger than it is today.”

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Comrade Andrew Okolie from Ubulu-Uno, said: “We are the Concerned Youths for the Political Liberation of the Aniocha South Local Government Area.

“We are here because Nsukwa clan is demanding rightfully for the position of the chairman in Aniocha South Local Government Council.

“We have been protesting this and we wrote a letter to the governor regarding this issue. The person who told us at a point that power is not earned but taken is the same person who is now telling us that Nsukwa clan who did very well during the last election, to wait for 2027 to be given power.

“We are saying this because we are lovers of the PDP despite the fact that many of us here have not gotten anything from the party but we have a natural love for the party and would not love to be part of the destructions of the great Party”.

Displaying a poster, with inscription: “Senator Okowa let Aniocha South breath”, the youths had earlier alluded to behind the curtain interferences by the immediate governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa in the body polity of Aniocha South and called on the governor to intervene.

Other posters read: “Nsukwa Clan want council chairman or no deal”; “Nsukwa clan deserved the council chairmanship 2024; “Say no to family business in Aniocha South”; “Equity and total liberation of Aniocha South is non-negotiable”, among others.

They expressed dismay over the former governor’s alleged tacit support for Hon Joan Onyemaechi who resigned her appointment as commissioner for Technical Education, to pave way for her younger brother, Hon Jude Chukwunweike, the immediate council chairman, to return.

The protesters argued that the resignation of the commissioner was conceived to undermine the chances of Nsukwa clan producing the council chairman and therefore ejected the move, describing it as an act meant to deceive and manipulate the people’s resolve.

They said the resignation has no bearing on the reality on ground and gives no solution to the crisis created in the council’s polity.

The youth leader, comrade Andrew Onyeisi Okolie told journalists that the resignation amounts to nothing because it has been overtaken by events, describing it as a cheap stunt that proffers no solution to the crisis she created by taking up the commissioner position meant for Nsukwa clan, abinito.

Nsukwa clan in Aniocha South Local government had mounted an unprecedented challenge and agitation against the PDP led Delta state in what they described as marginalisation of the clan.

The agitation is said to have precipitated the resignation of the Commissioner for Technical Education. Hon Joan Onyemaechi, who had on Monday 14th of May, announce her resignation from the state cabinet, where she serves as commissioner for Technical Education.

“I am from Ubulu clan, one of the three federating clans and the same clan with the Commissioner for Technical Education, Hon Joan Onyemaechi and his younger brother Hon Jude Chukwunweike, who was the immediate past Local Government Chairman and also angling to return as council chairman for a consecutive second term.

“Hon Joan Onyemaechi knew very well the power balance within the Local Government with the three statutory political offices of; House of Assembly, Council Chairman and the Commissioner.

“She knew very well that his younger brother, Hon Jude Chukwunweike serving as council chairman, Hon Isaac Anwuzia of Ogwashi Uku Kingdom, haven replaced Hon Austin Chikezie of Nsukwa clan in the state house of Assembly, the natural thing and as campaigned with, was for Nsukwa clan to clinch the Statutory position of commissioner.

“Nsukwa clan has prepared for the council championship and what should be in consideration now is; who will Nsukwa clan produce to lead us in the Local Government.

“So, Hon. Onyemaechi’s resignation is more like pulling wool through the eyes of the people of Aniocha South. Why take up what wasn’t meant for your clan in the first place? Just to show might? Did she resign because she cared or because she reached a dead end of resistance?

“The people of Aniocha South and especially Nsukwa clan, has moved beyond interest in the commissioner position she hijacked. The People of Nsukwa clan are interested in the Local Government and are well prepared for that, and the other two clans are in support of that”, he summed up.