Peace Of The Graveyard In Delta PDP As Ibori’s Troops Reach Out To Omo-Agege

The Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, appears to be enveloped with a serenity that those in the know allude to as the peace of the graveyard.

In reality the PDP in Delta has never been divided as it is presently with the prospect that the party may for the first time be seriously at threat in losing its control of the state.

The crisis  in the party may not be linked entirely to the performance of the governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. Indeed, the crux of the matter is his determination to foist Hon Sheriff Oborevwori as his successor against the injunction of some other influential stakeholders in the party led by Chief James Ibori.

Ibori’s choice of a successor is Olorogun David Edebvie who took second in the governorship primaries.

Remarkably, Edevbie did not fault the outcome of the exercise but raised the alarm that the winner was not qualified to be part of the exercise. He quietly went to a Federal Court in Abuja   to challenge his  eligibility.

Though he got his prayers answered at the court of first instance,  the Appellate Court ruled otherwise thus leaving the Supreme Court to make the last and binding decision later this month.

The decision of the court is due on Friday, October 21, 2022 and it is no surprise that the PDP in Delta State is now enveloped with an unusual calm that some now describe as the peace of the graveyard.

 Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has severally denied backing anyone but unfortunately, he appears to be the only person  that agrees  with his neutrality.

The emergence of Hon Oborevwori as the flag bearer against the wish of notable party  leaders such as Chief James Ibori, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Senator James Manager, has made the seemingly frosty relationship amongst them very visible.

Though these aggrieved leaders secretly support David Edebvie in his legal pursuit, some say they have taken solace with the option of supporting Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of the APC if the court upholds the ruling of the Appeal Court.

A source hinted that  PDP leaders in Delta Central (Ibori’s zone) have reached a deal to support APC for the gubernatorial election while the PDP senatorial candidate will equally be backed by the APC.

This accounts for the apparent silence of the PDP candidate in the area.

It is the option of an alternative political platform to ventilate the anger against the governor that has nurtured this silence in the graveyard situation in the Delta State chapter of the PDP.

Indeed, quite a significant proportion of those against the governor’s choice of Oborievowri are now in the plot to back the APC gubernatorial candidate.

This decision was very easy to make as Senator Ovie Omo-Agege is perceived as a PDP member on loan. It is, however, very strange that some  of the party members quietly working against the PDP are allegedly  appointees and other beneficiaries of the governor.

Party members who are sympathetic to David Edebvie are waiting in the wings to join forces with the APC especially for the governorship election. Though they  are hopeful that the Supreme Court will decide in his favour but if the opposite becomes the case, supporting Senator Ovie Omo-Agege is guaranteed.

GWG.NG reports that the Delta United Group (DUG) consisting of supporters of David Edebvie and political disciples of Chief Ibori recently met to establish structures across the state where Peter Onwusanya, former speaker of Delta State House of Assembly emerged as leader.

Though the group announced that its primary aim remains to support PDP but it is obvious that if Sheriff Oborevwori is reaffirmed as the candidate of the party, it will certainly throw its weight behind the APC.

A huge chunk of members in this group include those who were recently  sacked from their positions because of their support for Edebvie.

In a swift reaction to the emergence of the Delta Unity Group, the governor through his Senior  Political Adviser, Chief Funkekeme Solomon, warned   appointees against formation of associations or fora. In the statement dated 13th of October, 2022, the state government directed all political appointees to exit from such groups and to discontinue all  programmes  related to such groups.

The peace in the graveyard situation in the Delta State chapter of the PDP is also being seen in the funding of the opposition Labour Party by those within the PDP but who are unwilling to join the Ibori/Edevbie tendency.

For instance, the rallies recently held by the Obi-dients in Asaba and Agbor were not only well attended but had logistics support from the PDP.

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