As Nwaobi, Rapu , Guwor  others Affirm Sheriff Remains PDP Gubernatorial Candidate

Asaba the capital of Delta State was , Thursday 14th July, 2022, agog with sounds and beats as no fewer than one  thousand youths gathered from across various local government areas of the State to stage a solidarity march in support of the PDP Gubernatorial candidate and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

The youths in their number under the aegis of *M.O.R.E For Delta Youth Project*, first gathered at the Summit Junction of Asaba, where they took a walk down to the Cenotaph, venue of the event.

Addressing them with an air of confidence and encouragement was the member representing Aniocha North Constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, who is also the Patron of the group, Hon. Engr. Emeka Emmanuel Nwaobi, told them that victory is sure for the PDP candidate at the Court of Appeal.

Nwaobi thanked the youths and by extension, all Deltans for recognising Mr. Speaker as the rightful choice for the office of Governor of Delta State, thereby supporting him in such a massive way.

He commended the youths for their dexterity in coming together to front a platform to sensitize Deltans on the need to keep faith with Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as the best and most qualified to govern Delta after Okowa.

Nwaobi said that Oborevwori is not only compassionate and rationally reasonable, but one who has the street credibility to understand the yearnings and aspirations of the people of the State.

According to him, “Sheriff remains our candidate in PDP and our incoming Governor after Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. The judgement of the court not withstanding because we have discovered a lot of holes in it, we shall definitely sing a victory song in the end. We are confident that the Appeal Court verdict will eventually be in our favour. I want to personally appreciate you for your efforts and unalloyed support towards this struggle, and it is my prayer that your effort will yield fruits for the benefit of all Deltans.

“So we are here today, to join the one thousand youths from across the State to demonstrate our love and support for Sheriff. We have come to verify our loyalty to our principal, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori”, Nwaobi stated.

The lawmaker representing Oshimili South in Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Shedrach Rapu in his goodwill message, said that without Sheriff there is no government, affirming that his sterling leadership qualities had immensely endeared all his colleagues to support him against all odds.

He stated that the Speaker has a youthful wisdom that has continued to order the choices and decisions he makes as a man from the street.

The Legislator nonetheless, encouraged the youths to double their support for Sheriff, insisting that he is definitely needed by Deltans to be their next Governor.

For the lawmaker representing the incumbent Governor and people of Ika North-East Constituency, Hon. Anthony Elekeokwuri, affirmed, “We have the belief and confidence in the quality of Sheriff Oborevwori’s leadership, and that is why we don’t have any alternative to him. He remains our choice and that of all Deltans by the massive support he has continued to garner.

“You are doing greatly as youths, knowing that the State as currently structured needs a Youth friendly Governor who understands the importance of people oriented development and youth empowerment for the overall benefit of the state. Our message here for you, is that you should take this gospel to Deltans in every nook and cranny of the State, telling them that there is no other gubernatorial candidate for the PDP in Delta State, other than Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori”, Elekeokwuri maintained.

In the opinion of the lawmaker representing Warri South-West Constituency, Hon. Guwor Emomotimi Dennis, “there is no need for long speeches because Deltans already know that there is no alternative to Sheriff”.

He advised the youths to discountenance the unnecessary ranting in the social media that there could be a change in the already established election which the Speaker validly won in a landslide.

He said, “We will celebrate at the end of the Appeal Court judgement. Mr. Speaker remains the right candidate of the PDP in Delta State, he was voted in and he remains the candidate until the 2023 election, which we are still confident he will win and we will all jubilate again”.

In a brief interview with the Deputy Director General of the group – M.O.R.E For Delta Youth Project, Comrade Ogagaoghene Ogheneyole, he commended the youths in the forum for their resilience in standing for what is right and proper, which he said is Sheriff for Governor.

He said there is no better option than the one already made by the PDP Delegates during the Governorship primary election which produced Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as the validly elected candidate of the party.

His words, “This is where we stand and we must do everything possible to protect that mandate as youths of PDP and Delta State. This is just the beginning as more marches are already planned to continue the solidarity for our amiable Street Credibility Principal”, Ogheneyole declared.

Delta Governor and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, said Saturday July 17,  Osun governorship election was critical to the party and Nigerians because it would signpost the beginning of the ‘Rescue Nigeria’ mission.

Okowa stated this while addressing party faithful at Osogbo on Wednesday ahead of the polls.

Accompanied by Chairman, PDP Governors Forum, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Bayelsa Governor, Senator Douye Diri and Edo Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, Okowa appealed to the party leaders to sheath their swords and support the party’s candidate for the Saturday governorship election, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

He stressed that the Osun election was important to the party as it would give hope to Nigerians that positive change was in the offing.

“I want to thank our leaders who have spoken to us. I want to also thank all our followers for showing that they are truly good followers.

“Osun election is very critical and important to the PDP. This election is very important to us because if we win in Osun, it will send a strong signal that we are ready to rescue the nation.

“The foundation of what is to come is that we have to deliver Osun state to be able to inspire hope and change the narrative in the country for positive development.

“So, we are pleading with you generally to look beyond your differences and look at what the PDP stands for by working together for the victory of the party in Saturday’d governorship election in the state.

“We cannot allow this nation to continue to suffer, we cannot allow a situation where our children will continue to be at home instead of being in school.

“People are pained because of insecurity, devaluation of the naira and other challenges but if we are to turn around this nation for good, we must work together to form the government at the national level.

“With PDP, there is great hope for the future. It is for us to collectively work together for the success of the party starting with the Osun election,” Okowa stated.

Also speaking, Chairman, Osun State PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Senator Douye Diri, said “as a miracle governor we have come here to rub it off on Osun people.

“By God’s grace, we will break the ice because we have had very fruitful meetings with our leaders and all that we have agreed we will implement them.

“Let me assure you that with the matured, competent and capable leaders we have here, I foresee success for our party in the Osun Governorship election

“Osun state election is not just for Osun people, it is a test case for the 2023 general elections and I am sure that our party will not be disappointed,” he said.

Diri lampooned the All Progressives Congress (APC) for its choice of Muslim-Muslim ticket, and told the people that APC had taken the country backward by over 100 years.

“Today our currency is the worst in Africa and the world. So, let us come together to defeat them and that starts with our victory on Saturday,” he said.

Earlier in his remarks, former Governor of the state, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola, while welcoming the party leaders said “today marks another positive turning point in the history of PDP.

“The in-coming Vice President of our country wouldn’t have found time to be here if not that they are deeply interested in the unity and success of our party in Osun State.

“We have listened to them and they have promised immediate action and we are satisfied with their discussions with us and as leaders, we will not disappoint your expectations.

“PDP is the party that the entire people of Osun State want to lead them and we are hopeful of victory on Saturday,” he stated.

*Says Oborevwori’s Appeal In Order, Legal Lacunas Exist In FHC Judgment

Elder statesman and Convener Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, has said the choice to pick a Muslim as running mate by the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, might have confirmed the rumour that there was an agenda to Islamise Nigeria.

Clark said the reasons given by Tinubu for picking Senator Kashim Shettima, was a direct affront to the Christian community in the north, from which he believed that there were competent hands to pick from, stressing that the idea of comparing today’s Nigeria to the Abiola-Kingibe’s era by promoters of Muslim-Muslim ticket was out place.

The former federal commissioner, in a statement also blamed the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for also playing ethic politics for its refusal to cede its presidential ticket to the south, saying it was partly responsible for the choice made by the ruling party.

His words: “I feel threatened for our beloved country, because of the way things are going. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation, with Christianity and Islam as the major religions, even though Nigeria is a secular state.

“In compliance with constitutional provisions of inclusiveness, the number one and number two positions in the country, viz, President and Vice President, have always been occupied by practitioners of the two major religions, to ensure balancing.

“There is presently a sharp division in the country, even on religious lines, and all patriots are seeking ways to salvage the situation. Therefore, Alhaji Tinubu’s decision to take a fellow Muslim as his running mate, will further worsen the situation in the country. He should know that patriotism is a quality of a good leader.

“On the reasons adduced by Alhaji Tinubu on why he chose Kashim Shettima as Running-mate, is the APC presidential flag bearer telling Nigerians that there are no Christians in the APC from the north, who are ‘competent, capable and reliable?’

“There are rumours of an attempt to Islamise the country. Are all these pointers to the confirmation and actualisation of such rumours? One needs to bear in mind the antecedents of the major backers of Alhaji Ahmed Tinubu’s ambition, which include Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State; Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Governor of Kano State, and the chosen one – Kashim Shettima.

“Both the Governor and Deputy Governor in Kaduna State, are Muslims. A blatant action by the governor, Nasir el-Rufai. Unfortunately, the APC gubernatorial candidate for the 2023 election, is following suit. Is there a deliberate move of making Kaduna an Islamic State?

“Unconfirmed statistics put the ratio of Christians and Muslims in Kaduna State as 50/50; some statistics even put it as 55% for Christians and 45% for Muslims, yet, Nasir el-Rufai, despite complaints and agitations by people not only from Kaduna State, but from the entire country, ‘decided’ to pick a Muslim as his Deputy.

“It is illusion to think that except one is from the north, you may not win election. So, the idea that unless you come from the north or you are a Muslim, or a Muslim supports you if you are not a Muslim, you cannot win an election, should immediately be jettisoned by proponents of such an idea.

“The north needs the south to be in power, same way the south needs the north to be in power. No part can do it alone. About 46% or more of Nigerians are Christians. Yet, a group of persons want to sideline and exclude them from the affairs of the country. This is not possible.”

He, howver, asked if Tinubu was “under pressure from these his core supporters and backers, to pick a Muslim as his Running-mate, and did he cave in to the pressure, because it is his turn to be President of Nigeria, despite complaints and protestations?

“The PDP is the cause of these things because of its refusal to zone its presidency to the south. These are dangerous signals. Alhaji Ahmed Tinubu cannot compare 2022/2023 with 1993. In 1993, majority of Nigerians, on their own volition, supported the Muslim/Muslim ticket of M. K. O.

“Abiola and Babagana Kingibe of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), as President and Vice President, 29 years ago. It was not shoved on them; it was not forced on them. Also, during that period, Nigeria was not so divided on ethnic and religious divides. If people are complaining, a good leader should listen. Unfortunately, we have leaders, who not only ignore the concerns of the people with impunity, but also make crass statements.

“The insecurity, the fate of Nigeria as a failing state as it is today, did not exist in 1993. The killing of Christians, especially, Catholic Priests, the forty (40) persons killed at the Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State; what happened at the Kuje Medium Correctional Centre a few days ago, where about 1000 inmates, including about 63 Boko Haram terrorists were freed;the attack on the Kaduna-bound train, and the killing of some and abduction of several of the passengers, does not speak well of the times we are in.

“They are all signs of a failing state and ought to make everyone to be very cautious in our actions. And nobody, should aggravate the situation. Those who are leaders should remember that power is transient,” Clark advised.