By Anastacia Eluwa, Asaba
As pro-David Edevbie political support pressure group otherwise tagged
‘Delta Unity Group’ (DUG) within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in
Delta State has inaugurated its operational organs ahead of the
campaigns for the 2023 general elections in the state.
The group which comprised of Chieftains and members of the Peoples
Democratic Party(PDP) commenced plans for the successful prosecution
of the governorship ambition of the two-time state Finance
Commissioner, Mr. Edevbie.
Atleast, over 1,000 members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP)
belonging to the DUG who were drawn from the 25 local government areas
of the state converged weekend on Uro in Isoko South Local Government
Area of the state for the DUG’s inauguration.
Former Chairman of Delta State Association of Chairmen of Local
Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr. Itiako Ikpokpo, hosted the event
including the swearing in of members of the group’s Board of Trustees
(BOT), National Executive Council (NEC) and Local Government
coordinators of the DUG.
They expressed belief in the competence and capacity of Edevbie to
lead the state to greater prosperity, adding that they are still
strong members of PDP.
However, they admitted that the inauguration of the organs of DUG was
in anticipation of Edevbie’s victory at the Supreme Court as the state
PDP candidate for the 2023 governorship election.
However, the inauguration came at a time when most PDP faithful in
Delta, particularly those in support of the ‘anointed’ governorship
candidate of the state governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, thought that the
enthusiasm that greeted the birth of DUG in the political space of the
state would have waned by the judgement of the Court of Appeal of
August 29, 2022, which upturned the ruling of the Federal High Court,
sacking Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori as the lawful and authentic
governorship candidate of the party in the state.
Immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Chiedu
Ebie, assured that in filing a 23 grounds of appeal at the Supreme
Court, Edevbie’s lawyers had studied the judgment of the Court of
Appeal and were positive that the Supreme Court would deliver
substantial justice in the matter.
Ebie urged the people to remain positive and stand firm on the Edevbie
mandate, noting that the truth shall always prevail over moments of
anxiety.
The former SSG said: “In the case of Bayelsa PDP, they won at the High
Court, lost at the Appeal Court and won at the Supreme Court.
” It was the same in the recent Ebonyi case where Odii won at the High
Court, lost at the Appeal and also won at the Supreme Court. David
Edevbie’s case is on the same trajectory”, Ebie stressed.
The National Executive Council is chaired by former Speaker of the
State House of Assembly, Hon. Peter Onwusanya, with Mr. Michael
Akpobire as Secretary.
Other members include Hon. Evance Ivwurie Deputy Chairman; Hon. Daniel
Reyeineju Vice Chairman, Delta South; immediate past Delta Speaker,
Hon. Monday Igbuya Vice Chairman, Delta Central; and, ex-speaker Hon
Olisa Imegwu, as Vice-Chairman, Delta North senatorial District.
Others are Hon Stanley Odali National Assistant Secretary; Hon Fred
Ofume Treasurer; Mr. Robinson Ariyo Legal Adviser; Mr. Sunny Areh
Publicity Secretary; Hon. Godwin Ejinyere Organising Secretary;
Olorogun Esere Ejifoma Auditor; Mr. Isaiah Ingo Youth leader and Mr.
Florence Ayomanot Woman Leader.
The Board Of Trustees (BOT) comprised of Prof. Pat Muoboghare, Mr.
Morrison Olori, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, Hon. Monday Igbuya, Mr. Judith
Enamuotor, Mr. Giwa Amu Theodora, Mr. Clem Ofuani, Mr. Joe Iroro, Mr.
Tams Brisibe, Hon. Mercy Almona Ise, Pastor Champion Kpateghe and Mr.
John Greatman Chukwuka.
Former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and National
Coordinator of the group, Rt. Hon. Peter Onwusanya pledged the group’s
total support for all PDP candidates.
Onwusanya reechoed that the vision of DUG is the modernisation of
Delta State with all stakeholders working together but disclosed that
it would be difficult for people to work for anyone whose capacity
they do not believe in.
Significantly, the stance of the group to continue to remain in the
PDP as further pontificated by Onwusanya and other arrowheads of the
body during the inauguration ceremony, without recourse to the yet
unknown outcome of the Supreme Court appeal by Olorogun David Edevbie
who they have thrown their weight behind as the party’s lawful and
authentic governorship candidate leaves much to be desired.
