By: Palmer Ogheneyole Nathaniel, Asaba
If there was any dissension as to who is the most accepted governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election in Delta State, the PDP Mega Rally held in the state capital yesterday has helped to put such controversy to an eternal rest.
The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori FICMC, an astute politician and a front-line contender for the position of the governor whose billboards, posters and placards flooded the Cenotaph, venue of the rally left no one in doubt as to the level of the popularity of his candidature and general acceptance across the state.
In the well-attended rally that had the State governor, His Excellency Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the former governor of the state, His Excellency Chief James Onanefe Ibori, the state party Chairman, Olorogun Barr. Kingsley Esiso and other top party officials and government functionaries in attendance, saw Oborevwori demonstrating his grassroots appeal for the umpteenth time with the visible presence of thousands of his supporters drawn from the 25 local government of the state.
The supporters who were mostly volunteers and members of different support groups within the party, were seen beautifully adorned in T-shirts, and caps bearing the image of the speaker with various inscriptions. Some of the groups include; The Sheriffication Movement (TSM), Itsekiri For Sheriff (I4S) More for Delta Group (MDG), Uvwie Support Group, Sheriff Support Group, G20, Sheriff Beleivers, Sheriff Frontiers, Soft Delta, Sheriffied Comrades (SC) Urhobo United for Sheriff, Izon Coalition for Sheriff, Media Advocates for Sheriff, Sheriff for All, and many more.
Speaking to this reporter at the rally, Comr. Justice Ogwah who is the Director Public Communication of The Sheriffication Movement (TSM), one of the support groups of the Speaker, said the determination of Deltans to have Oborevwori as their governor is a voluntary struggle that has been embraced by all Deltans.
While stating that the present government of Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has done excellently well in all areas since inception, Ogwah stressed that the coming government of Oborevwori will be a continuation of the good works of governor Okowa.
“Our mobilisation to this rally is an indication of how Deltans love the PDP, how we love our dear Gov. Sen. Dr. IFeanyi Okowa and how much we love to see our leader and principal, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwi becoming the successor of our amiable Ekwueme.
From what we all can see across the state, Okowa has done excellently well as our governor and leader of our dear party. The successes of the Okowa-led administration was made possible through the cooperation of the remaining two arms of government. one of the arms is been ably led by our own Sheriff, a man Deltans love to see as our Governor come 2023”, he said.
Continuing, “when you take a look at the venue of this rally, before you count a single supporter of any other aspirant, you definitely would have counted 10 supporters of Sheriff. This shows the level of popularity of our principal. From this place down to Marian Babangida down to Summit road and everywhere around the state capital and other cities and towns in Delta, all you see is a state yearning to have Sheriff Oborevwori as their governor. I am sure that the PDP will field him at the general election and i am confident also that the party will emerge victorious”, he concluded.
Reacting also, a member of the state working committee who preferred not to be mentioned said he was shocked with the acceptability of Oborevwori’s candidature by a vast majority of party faithfuls and Deltans. He expressed confidence that he leaders of the party will deploy their wisdom to ensure that a popular candidate like Oborevwori emerge as the party’s candidate.
“This Sheriff thing is turning into a weird harmattan fire. There is no doubt that the man is popular and that Deltans love him. He appear to be the most loved of the lots, maybe because he is a home boy, a proper Warri boy and undoubtedly the most easily accessible Speaker Delta has ever had. He is not someone known for building walls around himself. he is frank, blunt and dogged. He is an ally of the Governor and we pray he emerge to continue and build on the legacy of Okowa for a more prosperous Delta,” he said.
Earlier, the State Governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, while receiving decampees of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the PDP is ready to take over power at the center. He said the PDP is a united family and that the message being sent to the opposition party of its readiness to take power at the national level is clear enough, adding that in Delta State, the opposition need not waste their time and resources in contesting elections as the PDP is in total control of the state.
He said, “This rally today has made a statement across Nigeria that PDP is prepared to take over this nation. One good thing about us in the PDP is that we are one family, we are not like the other people fighting every time. In PDP we work with the love of God.“I want to thank all Deltans for the good things they have been doing, they have continued to support us. In 2015 and 2019, we won very well, and in 2023, we will finish work again with your support.
“We are sending a strong message to our brothers in the opposition not to waste their resources and time because there is no space for them in Delta State, we are in control.
