Introduction:
The grand norm in contemporary politics states clearly that, for you to be eligible to hold an elective position you must have three years tax clearance, INEC voters card and your Party Membership Card in year Unit, indicating Ward and Local Government.
Issues In Contention:
1. No body ever contemplated a tribal factor into the position of the State Chairman zoned to Sapele Local Government in Chief James Onanefe Ibori’s residence on Thursday 19th March, 2020, by the leaders of Delta Central Senatorial District on the instruction of Delta State PDP caucus where the Governor and Deputy Governor of Delta State and other Leaders of the Party (PDP) were present.
2. Facts of the matter: A position zoned to a Local Government is meant for those carrying INEC voters card and the Party membership card from that Constituency or Local Government Area.
Issues To Be Resolved:
1. The incumbent State Chairman, Chief (Barr.) Kingsley Esiso, enjoyed full privileges and political benefits before he relocated to Ethiope East LGA. After becoming Chairman in 2015 to 2019 moved his INEC voters card from Sapele State Constituency elsewhere, certified true copies of INEC voters register from Ward One (1) to Eleven (11) are available for inspection by the press and who ever wants to see.
2. It is obvious that he ran foul of the law when he emerged from Sapele in 2015 to 2019 and decided to move his INEC voters card from Sapele State Constituency elsewhere. He cannot contend with the constituents in Sapele Local Government.
3. The decision taken on Thursday 19th March 2020 as earlier stated in agreement with all Leaders of PDP Delta Central with a clear instruction that positions zoned to the various Local Governments Should be filled and returned on Monday 23rd March, 2020, to Sen. Ighoyota Amori’s residence for onward transmission to the appropriate quarters.
4. The incumbent assumes it is his birthright, not to consult the Leaders of Sapele LGA who are mere mortals and donot deserve to be consulted or discussed with. For he assumes a military fiat that we must bow before him and decided to ignored every person.
5. It is worthy of note that he engages in mudslinging by calling Leaders of the Local Government tribalist and all soughts of names. For the benefit of hindsight “Evang. Hon. Michael Diden” started his political career in Sapele, and until he moved to Warri North L.G.A, he enjoyed all the political privileges accrued party members without bias. He lives in Sapele, he has never insisted to take what is shared to Sapele because he does not vote in Sapele despite his large followership. “Prince Joseph Atseyinku”, is a LGA and Ward 8 Leader. Also worthy of mention is “Engr. Tony Aniretan”, the PDP LGA Youth Leader, all because they have INEC voters card and Party card in Sapele LGA. Hence they are accorded full status and benefits like other Party member in Sapele without tribal sentiment.
6. As Leader of Ward One (1), representing Sapele State Constituency, Delta State House of Assembly who have been accused of tribalism and among others, the Chairman of Ward One (1) is Mr. Ese Awurhe, obviously not an Okpe man but has the requirements to be the Chairman of Ward 1 and I gave him the full support for second tenure as Chairman of the Ward. Where does tribalism come to play?
7. It is worthy of note that those who run foul of the law should not anchor their argument on tribal sentiments.
In Conclusion, I want to show absolute maturity and sincerity, the office of the State Organizing Secretary and State Assistant Secretary, are both zoned to Ethiope East Local Government Area, whereas Sapele is Gazetted for the office of the State Chairman. No other than eligible Sapele constituent according to Party guideline is qualified to vie for the office of the State Chairman of the Party. We call on the Leadership of the Party in Delta State, Sen. (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, our national Leader His Excellency Chief James Onanefe Ibori, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire and leaders of Delta central district to Look into the issue critically because Sapele had remain PDP from inception till date.
Suffice me to close by mentioning that we have no axe to grind with the incumbent State Chairman of the Party, but Sapele is only struggling for its fair share of its political privileges.
For and on behalf of all signatories to the agreement on Sapele for State Chairman PDP
Okpe Quotidians 