Drama Hits Delta Guber Debate As Candidates Walkout, Chicken Out

The Delta State governorship debate organized by Arise News Television was on Wednesday night enveloped in intrigues after Sheriff Oborevwori and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the PDP and APC candidates boycotted the event leading to a walkout by the APGA candidate, Chief Great Ogboru.

Ogboru’s walkout from the debate held at Warri, the state’s commercial capital was triggered by plans by the organisers to hold another event for the PDP and APC candidates.

Those who were present at the debate were Deacon Ken Pela, Labour Party; Chief Kenneth Gbagi, the SDP candidate; Comrade Sunny Ofehe, the YPP candidate and Ogboru.

Midway into the debate, the debate anchors read out a letter from the PDP candidate in which he regretted his inability to attend the debate due to the short notice.

Following that another letter was read out from Omo-Agege who accused Oborevwori of chickening out from the debate. Omo-Agege deposed that he would not honour any debate without Oborevwori.

However, as the debate progressed, the organisers announced that Oborevwori had promised to make himself available on Thursday evening. Upon that it was disclosed that Omo-Agege would also make himself available.

The announcement of a special debate for the PDP and APC candidates made peeved the other candidates causing Ogboru to announce his departure from the debate.

That was despite assurances from the anchors that all those present for the Wednesday debate would be accommodated in the next day’s debate.

Ogboru who has contested the governorship election in Delta State since 2003, however, kicked against what he described as the special treatment for the PDP and APC candidates and walked out.

He was supported by the other three candidates, but they opted to remain and return on Thursday.

Ogboru, however, returned about 30 minutes later with an apology to Deltans saying:

“I was surprised that the organisers extended an invitation to those who boycotted the debate. I felt it as an ambush but out of respect for Deltans and the viewing public I decided to come back.”

Those present at the debate among the Delta governorship candidates drew questions on security, pension plans, state police among others.

Ogboru dismissed claims that he was contesting the election to punish a rival saying that only a fool would use his resources for such an ego trip. He also affirmed that he won all the polls he contested in the past.

Pela on his part dismissed claims that he lacked a pedigree saying that besides his parentage that he had also contested elections in the past but stepped aside based on the intrigues in the politics of the state. Pela also rebuffed the allegations of an indictment levelled against him.

Gbagi on his part also rebuffed allegations of stripping his famale staff on the allegation that they stole money from his hotel. He accused Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his erstwhile Attorney General of allegedly fabricating the allegation raised against him.

Ofehe on his part appealed to Ogboru to step down for him saying he had followed the APGA candidate for a long time and having stepped down for him in 2019 that he should at this time step down for him, Ofehe.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG