{"id":414,"date":"2014-08-16T20:28:55","date_gmt":"2014-08-16T20:28:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/newsroom247.com.ng\/?p=414"},"modified":"2014-08-16T20:28:55","modified_gmt":"2014-08-16T20:28:55","slug":"delta-verdict-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/newsroom247.com.ng\/?p=414","title":{"rendered":"DELTA VERDICT 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"
By:Professor Julius Uyanwanne<\/div>\n

juliusuyanwanne@yahoo.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Uduaghan\"<\/a>As the\u00a02015\u00a0general elections draw closer, many aspirants are still springing up across the width and breadth of\u00a0Delta\u00a0State under the ruling PDP. Of this legion of aspirants, we have taken a closer look at the ones that are truly making inroads in the political equation of\u00a0Delta\u00a0State and their chances in the2015\u00a0Delta\u00a0State Governorship elections. This is our position today, and from past experience, the trend may remain so for the next few weeks and or months. However, because politics is dynamic, the situation can change and that is why we will continue to update you on the 22nd<\/sup>\u00a0day of every month up until days before the PDP primaries.<\/p>\n

Full Story:<\/p>\n

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Few months to the 2007 PDP Governorship primary election, we did an exhaustive research and told you that despite the massive support Godswill Obielum enjoyed, Ibori\u2019s anointed candidate \u2013 Dr Uduaghan was fated to win the highly contestable PDP primaries and the gubernatorial elections. As the\u00a02015\u00a0general elections draw closer, many aspirants are still springing up across the width and breadth of\u00a0Delta\u00a0State under the ruling PDP. Of this legion of aspirants, we have taken a closer look at the ones that are truly making inroads in the political equation of\u00a0Delta\u00a0State and their chances in the2015\u00a0Delta\u00a0State Governorship elections. This is our position today, and from past experience, the trend may remain so for the next few weeks and or months. However, because politics is dynamic, the situation can change and that is why we will continue to update you on the 22nd<\/sup>\u00a0day of every month up until days before the PDP primaries. Enjoy.<\/div>\n
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ROLL CALL;Tony Obuh<\/b>\u00a0– From Ika South LGA, he is the permanent Secretary in Government House and a close confidant of the current Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. There is rumour that he is well favoured by Uduaghan and may well be enjoying a wonderful mutual relationship based on trust. He is seen as a cool-headed fellow who may emerge as a dark horse, but his major challenge is the fact that he is not well disposed to the political class in the State and may be a hard product to sell, like the case of Professor Soludo of Anambra State. We are watching and waiting.<\/div>\n
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Ambassador Gabriel Oyebode<\/b>\u00a0From Ukwuani LGA, he lived most of his life in Uvwie,\u00a0Delta\u00a0Central and has beautiful bill boards in most LGAs of\u00a0DeltaState. He has also had appearances in Vanguard and some local newspapers. We will tell you when he makes his next move.\u00a0Chief Godswill Obielum<\/b>– This Governor that never was, is from Ndokwa East LGA. In 2007, he was the MAN, but right now, his followership has dwindled almost beyond redemption. But in politics, anything can happen. He has now started consultations to party officials LGA by LGA. When he makes his next move, we will tell you.\u00a0Chief Peter Okocha-<\/b>This business mogul from Oshimili North LGA, has had some challenges in his political journey so far. PDP under Obasanjo dealt him a heavy blow and that subjugation even extended to his businesses, particularly his interest in African Petroleum, which eventually played out against him. He was betrayed by some of his Ibusa brothers in the 2003 Governorship election. Not much has been done this time around to demonstrate that he is a serious contender for the\u00a02015\u00a0Governorship election of\u00a0Delta\u00a0state. Who knows? His next move could be fascinating.\u00a0Chief Clement Ofuani<\/b>– A financial whiz-kid from Aniocha South, he worked under David Edevwe (who was the\u00a0Delta\u00a0State Commissioner for Finance) during Ibori era and later as Senior Special Assistant to President Yar\u2019Adua. He is currently making consultative visits to various party LGAs and has displayed his posters in many LGAs in\u00a0Delta\u00a0State, but that is all there is to it. We await his next move.\u00a0Dr. (Mrs) Ester Uduehi<\/b>– Dr (Mrs.) Uduehi is from Ukwuani LGA. She has worked at the Presidency and claimed that some political heavyweights have asked her to come out and contest because in her words, \u201cthe first Lady is well disposed to a woman from\u00a0Delta\u00a0North taking over from Uduaghan as the next Governor of\u00a0Delta\u00a0state.\u201d We await her next move.<\/div>\n
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FRONT RUNNERS \u2013\u00a0DELTA\u00a0NORTH;Dr IfeanyiOkowa<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 one of many aspirants from\u00a0Delta\u00a0North – A stock of Ika North East LGA, from Owa-Alero, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, a medical doctor and long-standing politician, has withered many storms on his political journey. Okowa aligned himself with the Late Chief Humphrey Iweriebor (Ogidi of Africa) when most outstanding sons and daughters of Ika land were away in Lagos and other cities in search of greener pastures. Ogidi facilitated his appointment as secretary of the LGA. With the support of Ogidi, he won election and became the first Chairman of Ika North East LGA. He was a two-time Commissioner in Ibori administration, where he acquired so much money. Prior to 2007, he manipulated his way into the hearts of some political contractors, made wide consultations and had overwhelming nod from Deltans, especially\u00a0DeltaNortherners to contest the 2007 Governorship election. He was Ibori\u2019s man and had always been in charge of congresses across the state. Indeed Okowa was responsible for the compilation of delegate list in almost all the local Government areas in\u00a0Delta\u00a0North. It was therefore easy to see why he challenged Ibori\u2019s anointed candidate \u2013 Uduaghan, at the PDP primaries at Ogwashi-uku. Initially, he was disqualified, then, reinstated and went on to contest the competitive election with Uduaghan and other candidates from the three senatorial districts of\u00a0Delta\u00a0State. Okowa shocked everyone, especially the people of\u00a0Delta\u00a0North who were overtly behind his candidature, when he cheaply gave up the fight \u2013 at a time countless number of people, including the other defeated candidates, were backing him for a re-run primary election, and rather secretly entered into a deal to become Secretary to the State Government (SSG); a decision that still haunts him till date. He was quickly appointed Director General of Uduaghan campaign organization and the rest is history. Unfortunately, Okowa, who has become desperate, has three major challenges confronting his governorship ambition; One, there is no politician of note anywhere in the State that has a long list of enemies like Dr Okowa. There have been some damning allegations of violence leveled against him, particularly the recent one by one John Agbe, who claimed that Okowa killed his son \u2013 Arthur Agbe over Land dispute. Unless a contrary position is held and the allegation properly debunked, this \u201ckiller squad\u201d allegation may likely nail Okowa\u2019s political ambition for good. If he must go far, he urgently needs to address this, and also embark on genuine reconciliation, starting from his LGA, so that the stigma tailing him as a bitter-unforgiving man can begin to be erased. After all, charity begins from home. On the possibility of returning to the senate, Okowa has been cleverly gagged into a corner by the incumbent Chairman of PDP \u2013 Peter Nwoboshi, who is aggressively nudging Okowa on to contest the PDP primaries at all cost. This plot will ensure that Okowa contests the PDP primaries even when it is becoming clear that his chances are bleak. Interestingly, some persons of high influence in Ika Nation where he hails from have vowed not to support Okowa in his battle to occupy the exalted position of a Governor.\u00a0STRENGTH<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 He has overwhelming desire to empower his supporters and has done so for many years plus he has the humility and skills to keep his supporters together.\u00a0WEAKNESS<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 harbours bitterness and seems uncomfortable with great guys.\u00a0Verdict<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 But for the allegation of violence, he is the most formidable aspirant; May lose both the Governorship and Senatorial positions if those issues are not urgently and properly addressed.<\/div>\n
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FRONT RUNNERS \u2013\u00a0DELTA\u00a0SOUTHElder Godsday Orubebe (CON)<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 the only aspirant from\u00a0Delta\u00a0South so far\u2013 This Ijaw born politician from Ogbebagbene in Burutu Local Government Area of\u00a0Delta\u00a0State has had a somewhat smooth political journey so far. After graduating from the University of Lagos, he contested and won his first election \u2013 Ward councilor in Burutu LGA. He later won election and became Chairman of Burutu LGA. After the 1999 election, he was appointed as the second member of SUPEB. Orubebe had major disagreement with some prominent PDP Leaders in his LGA and decamped to ANPP, where he contested and became\u00a0Delta\u00a0State Party Chairman. Because he led ANPP to victory in many LGA including Burutu, Ibori\u2019s men approached him, made him some good offers and persuaded him to re-join the PDP train. He obliged, and when Ibori was returned as Governor, Orubebe was appointed Special Advisor on Urban & Regional Planning. It is no longer news that Orubebe is one of the longest serving Ministers in the country, but there is general resentment against his gubernatorial candidacy because he failed to empower his supporters. Not a single person in\u00a0DeltaNorth, apart from Sam Osasa, his greedy S.A, was empowered. Even those in the E.K Clark group who joined him to fight Ibori were completely neglected. Also, the public fight between him and his erstwhile God-father \u2013 Chief E.K Clark, will militate against him when it matters most, as the National leader has vowed to support\u00a0Delta\u00a0North-the only district which has not produced a governor. A lot of people in the defunct ANPP see him as a betrayal; somebody who traded them off when it mattered most. Also, he has been accused of carting away all the money meant for the development of the Niger-Delta\u00a0region and abandoning the East-West Road.\u00a0 For example, it is alleged that he had promised that the East-West Road will be completed in December 2014, but facts on ground suggest otherwise. Only recently, the current Minister for Niger-Delta\u00a0Affairs\u2013 Steve Oru stated that the contractors handling the East-West Road were not paid despite the fact that they have been working with their own funds. He further stated that the only job he does right now is paying them to ensure that he makes President Jonathan and the region proud (Vanguard 19th<\/sup>\u00a0July \u2013 page 50). Finally, he is generally perceived as a gossip monger, as well as someone who says one thing and does another. Issues of religion are seen by many as a cover-up for some of his nefarious activities ranging from womanizing to intolerance of his subordinates. Only recently, one of his staunchest men from\u00a0Delta\u00a0Central \u2013 Chief Orido (who was one of the signatories to the petition against Chief E.K Clark), stated that Orubebe\u2019s lies have become unbearable and suddenly, the man left his camp. A female Media aid and former girlfriend – Barrister Mary Agbajo is currently going about telling anyone who cares to hear, that Orubebe is a serial liar who lacks the competence and integrity to rule. She has echoed that Orubebe\u2019s caucus is made up of greedy, arrogant and fetish persons, some of whom are non-Deltans, who do not have the interest of Deltans at heart. There is bitter rivalry and confusion in the leadership of his NGO \u2013Delta\u00a0Peoples Forum and some of his Directors are helpless politicians who lack the courage to challenge his purposeless leadership style. Just a few days ago, one of the most pragmatic insiders and the Director of Media & Publicity of DPF \u2013 Chief Alex Ikpeazu suddenly resigned and has promised to hold a world press conference soon to elaborate on the reasons for his action. Feeler from across the state is that Ikpeazu\u2019s press conference may finally nail Orubebe\u2019s gubernatorial ambition and he may never recover if Ikpeazu sticks to his resignation because of the influence, doggedness and likeability of Ikpeazu by a large majority of Deltans \u2013 having performed creditably well as secretary of\u00a0Delta\u00a0Elders, Leaders and Stakeholders Forum for many years. Chief Oduaran from Ughelli South has just decamped from DPF sitting Orubebe\u2019s lies as one of the reasons for his decision and the list is getting longer. It is speculated that by September this year, there would hardly be anyone left in DPF. Orubebe has put up a strong defence against these allegations, but he needs to do more to convince a majority of the\u00a0Delta\u00a0voting population that these assertions are malicious. Initially, he was feared by opponents because of his healthy Abuja connections (but now there is a strong rumour of a crack because of his unauthorized visit to Ibori in a London prison, where he was caught on camera kneeling down for the convict). He is also making a lot of personal consultations with some political heavy weights across the State and boasts that he is going to be the next Governor of\u00a0Delta\u00a0State even if everybody decamps from DPF. He also has a very robust synergy with the Leadership of the religious community in the state.\u00a0STRENGTH<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 Has a charming and convincing personality using God as a front.WEAKNESS<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 Viewed as a pathological liar, he has a phobia for empowering people and this is his biggest undoing.\u00a0Verdict<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 Unless the Anioma Leaders choose a consensus candidate from the current aspirants or bring in a popular grass-root greenhorn, Orubebe \u2013 a charming talker may BUY the PDP primaries with the tons of money he has stashed away with a proviso \u2013 only if he mends fences with Abuja, which is hampering on equity amongst the three senatorial districts.<\/div>\n
FRONT RUNNERS \u2013\u00a0DELTA\u00a0CENTRAL<\/b><\/div>\n
Chief (Obarisi) Ovie Omo-Agege<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 From\u00a0Delta\u00a0Central; This political heavyweight from Ughelli North, was hand-picked by Governor James Ibori, while he was living in the USA and made his Special Assistant. A member of Ibori\u2019s inner caucus, he was later appointed SSG where he commanded a lot of respect and made some serious money and political friends. He was credited to have helped to uplift a lot of politicians like Victor Ochei and many others. He contested the PDP primaries with Uduaghan against the decision of Ibori, but failed. Because he was side-lined, he tried to contest the Governorship election under ACN, but that experience was very unpleasant. So on the instruction of Ibori, he returned back to PDP and his name along with a few others was submitted for federal appointment, but it did not happen. He has starched away a lot of money and is currently romancing the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) to get their nod for the\u00a02015\u00a0governorship election. He is making extensive consultations and it is generally believed that if he is able to secure the nod of UPU, he will expand his coast. The bad news is that Ovie is seen by many as unserious person, particularly after the last re-run election which returned Uduaghan. Many believe he was bribed by Uduaghan to block Ogboru\u2019s chances. Chief Enuha, a prominent political power-house from Ogwashi-uku, whose wife, Omo-Agege fronted as his deputy, has vowed never to have anything with Omo-Agege for that deceit. Chief Christopher Obvienwen (Ominimini), one of his staunchest supporters was beaten up by Omo-Agege\u2019s boys during that era and has vowed never to work with him. He has since separated from Omo-Agege and is now a commissioner in DESOPADEC.\u00a0STRENGTH<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 very compassionate and kind to a fault \u2013 Whenever he has the opportunity he does not hesitate to empower his supporters.\u00a0WEAKNESS<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 does not follow a political project to its final logical end.\u00a0Verdict<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 If he gets the nod of UPU, he may be in a better position to fight off the contestants from other senatorial districts with Urhobo bulk votes, but he has a lot of work to do, especially in\u00a0Delta\u00a0North.<\/div>\n
Dr Festus Okubor<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 Okubor hails from Ute-Erumu in Ika North East LGA. A medical doctor by profession, he ventured into politics in the Abacha days as Publicity Secretary of GDM and later joined the Ibori train. He served as caretaker Chairman of Ika North East Local Government Council and also as Director of Protocol to Ibori, where he acquired so much money. He was later appointed Commissioner of Information, then, Health \u2013 a position he held until Uduaghan\u2019s emergence as Governor. Ibori obligated Uduaghan to appoint him as Chief of Staff after the 2011 elections. Okubor, a chain smoker, is currently enduring a frosty relationship with Governor Uduaghan and may be compelled to resign if he becomes too desperate. He is a beneficiary of the multi-billion Naira SUPED new school building contracts. Meanwhile, he is waiting to be imposed as\u00a0Delta\u00a0State Governor by his God-father- James Ibori. People from Ika say he is extremely self-centred. He is perceived by majority of Deltans as a weakling who is not only very sluggish, but as someone who could be easily wrought by the ruling cabal \u2013 a perception he has refuted.\u00a0STRENGTH<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 Does not talk much.\u00a0WEAKNESS<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 He is a great procrastinator and has not been known to empower a majority of his followers.\u00a0Verdict\u00a0<\/b>\u2013 For now, he seems far away from the goal post.<\/div>\n
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Professor Sylvester Monye (CON)<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 A graduate of Marketing from Bristol University in the UK, he hails from Onicha-ugbo in Aniocha North LGA. He later obtained a Master\u2019s and PhD degrees from various universities in the Uk and lectured for many years. He has attained favour from Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the current Minister of Finance. All the positions he has attained since he returned to Nigeria till date were facilitated by Ngozi Iweala who is seen as his God-Mother. He has no political clout (and does not seem to have the political knowledge or local understanding of the niggling problems of the state), but has made Billionaire friends by virtue of the various appointments he has been privileged to hold. Most people who have had interactions with him believe Monye is arrogant. Nice gentleman, he is waiting to be imposed as the next Governor of\u00a0Delta\u00a0State by Ngozi Iweala, who is very close to President Goodluck Jonathan, even though he does not have a convincing grass-root structure. He has started doing some consultations across the state.\u00a0STRENGHT\u00a0<\/b>\u2013 Has so many billionaire friends who are ready to finance his gubernatorial ambition.\u00a0WEAKNESS<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 A very difficult man to deal with, he has not empowered any of his supporters, but has made millionaires outside the state, especially from the Northern part of Nigeria.\u00a0Verdict<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 May make it if he woos the grass-root politicians to his side and Ngozi Iweala goes on hunger strike; Otherwise, he may be fighting for personal recognition in view of a better political tomorrow.<\/div>\n
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Hon. Ndudi Elumelu\u2013<\/b>This Onitcha-Uku, (Aniocha North) born politician became known when he won the Aniocha-Oshimili Federal Constituency House of Representatives election in 2007. He graduated from the University of Ekpoma and lived at Dolphin estate Lagos. He worked briefly as an insurance broker, where he made quite some money. He has since been returned as a member of the Federal House of Reps for two consecutive times. Apart from being a member of the House of Reps, he does not have the clout, personality or good experience to rule\u00a0Delta\u00a0State. The scandal about diverted electricity funds still haunts him. Even though he is extremely close to the National chairman of PDP (Alhaji Adamu Muazu), for which he regularly boasts, and has a huge arsenal of cash, many Deltans interviewed see him as a dodgy fellow. He has gone round the State visiting PDP LGA structures and statutory delegates, and has also invested heavily on Vanguard newspapers in terms of publicity, especially photo-match of his visitations, but that\u2019s all it is. At the moment, he is making some in-roads by his visitations across the state.\u00a0STRENGTH<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 He has done quite a lot for the Aniocha-Oshimili Federal constituency he represents and has some notable politicians on his side. He also has a strong personal connection with the current National Chairman of PDP.\u00a0\u00a0WEAKNESS<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 The stigma of the bribe allegation of N5.2b associated with him as Chairman, House Committee on Electricity (for which he spent considerable time in Kuje prison), still haunts him.\u00a0Verdict-\u00a0<\/b>He is quite far from the goal-post – His real intention may be to return to the Federal House of Representatives and vie for the speakership position. He has to contend with Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei.\u00a0Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 This Aniocha North born politician from Onicha-Olona came into the political scene in 2003 when he won election into\u00a0Delta\u00a0State House of Assembly under the platform of UNPP. He quickly abandoned the party, declared for PDP and sliced his way into the caucus of core PDP Leadership. He also won the heart of Chief James and Nkoyo Ibori, who then became his god-father & mother. Ochei crawled his way into the confidence of Chief Barr Omo-Agege, (the then SSG), who bombarded him with contracts. When Uduaghan became Governor in 2007, Ochei warmed himself tightly to his heart and eventually gained his confidence \u2013 which resulted in more money; more contracts; more deals \u2013 deals that most probably led to his political decline. Until his sudden resignation as Speaker of\u00a0Delta\u00a0State House of Assembly, Ochei was making waves \u2013 creating remarkable inroads towards\u00a02015. His main strength was the huge physical cash he is attributed to have starched away. Analysts believe Ochei himself is the cause of his own downfall. He is said to be extremely arrogant and stubborn to a fault and has penchant for impatience. His removal as Speaker has seriously dampened his confidence and has almost certainly thwarted his dream of\u00a02015\u00a0governorship race. While some of his followers have jumped ship, others are patiently waiting for his next command.\u00a0 But following the appointment of Cairo Ojougboh as South South Chairman of PDP, he seems to be resurrecting. He may eventually align with a serious contender \u2013 as tomorrow is another day. After-all age is very much on his side.\u00a0STRENGTH\u00a0<\/b>\u2013 Has acquired enormous wealth from the state, but has also empowered many of his followers by direct Government appointment or through huge contracts and that is why his supporters are die-hard.WEAKNESS\u00a0<\/b>\u2013 Seen as an arrogant leader who will go any illicit length to actualize his ambition.\u00a0Verdict\u00a0<\/b>\u2013 Far from the goal post; May attempt to contest the Aniocha-Oshimili Federal Constituency election, but he has Hon. Ndudi Elumelu to contend with.<\/div>\n
Rt. Hon. Prince Sam Obi \u2013\u00a0<\/b>A prince of Ute-Okpu clan in Ika North East LGA,\u00a0<\/b>Sam Obi is a third term member of the State House of Assembly. He became the acting Governor of the state following the re-run election between the governorship candidate of DPP \u2013 Chief Great Ogboru and Dr Uduaghan; an election Uduaghan eventually won. Sam Obi started off as a councilor and was later elected as Chairman of Ika North East LGA, before proceeding to the House of Assembly. Like his erstwhile God-father-Dr.Okowa, he has a formidable grass-root followership in Ika North East and is credited to be the main financier of most empowerment in that LGA, even though the credit always goes to Dr Okowa. He parted ways with Uduaghan when the later was returned as Governor after the re-run election, because he was said to have eaten the forbidden fruit reserved by Uduaghan. For example, against the directive of Uduaghan, he paid Dr. Okowa all the money the State Government was owing him; something that made Okowa\u2019s senatorial election possible. But today he has joined the long list of Okowa\u2019s enemies. He acquired so much money during his brief tenure as Governor, but was reputed to have made serious direct impact on infrastructural projects, including the repairs of the only major road in Agbor. Arrogant, boastful and short tempered, he has drawn a battle line with Okowa, and has teamed up with other anti-Okowa elements in Ika North East to form the UNITY group. He is said to be hiding his dubious past in the Oracle of God Church which was commissioned sometime last year and has now become a pastor \u2013 the senior pastor of his Church. Unfortunately Sam Obi was plagued with some strange ailment which has seen him travelling all over the world to seek treatment. Presently, he seems to be in sound health. His supporters attribute his sickness to the usual suspect in Ika North East and have vowed to fight till the end. He is very much in the race and is currently making some private consultations across the state.\u00a0STRENGTH<\/b>\u2013 Sam Obi has some very formidable contacts at the top and has acquired so much money during his brief tenure as Governor.\u00a0WEAKNESS<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 Not in very good health and as a result, has not empowered his supporters in recent times. Also, he does not appear to be making any public consultations and needs to have strong grass-root acceptability, especially in\u00a0Delta\u00a0North to compete effectively with Senator Okowa who is from the same LGA.\u00a0Verdict\u00a0<\/b>\u2013 Seen as a stumbling block to Okowa; May spring some surprise if he remains in good health as long as he maintains his contacts at the top.<\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/div>\n
Dr.(Mrs) Ngozi Olejeme<\/b>\u00a0(FCIDA) \u2013 Olejeme \u2013 a philanthropist, entrepreneur and grass root politician is from Asaba in Oshimili South LGA. She holds several political positions; a fact that supports the perception that she is highly connected to the presidency and may become the first woman Governor in Nigeria\u2019s modern history. She is the first female Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust fund (NSITF); Chairman Board of Directors of Trust fund Pensions PLC and member, Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Program (SURE-P). Olejeme has gained grass root sympathy because of her selfless generosity, especially to the down-trodden as well as her open-door policy. One of the major challenges confronting her gubernatorial ambition is the traditional belief in many ethnic quarters that the time for a woman to lead has not come. This may sound silly, but our interview with a majority of Deltans in the recent past, particularly in\u00a0Delta\u00a0Central, clearly showed the disparaging of women as Leaders. However, this trend appears to be changing as the days go by and if Olejeme is able to court grass root mobilizers, she may surmount this challenge, as the platoon of male aspirants who have dominated the political scene for a very long time, may be compelled to step down.\u00a0STRENGTH<\/b>\u00a0\u2013Good contact with Abuja and has the zeal to empower her followers. She is highly liked by the grass root.\u00a0WEAKNESS<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 Gender; being a woman seems to limit her acceptability, but if she can overcome that, her chances will become even brighter.\u00a0Verdict<\/b>\u00a0– Optimistic chance and a bright political future. If PDP rightly zones the\u00a0DeltaGovernorship to\u00a0Delta\u00a0North region and the region further zones it to Aniocha-Oshimili Federal constituency, Ngozi Olejeme may well become the first female\u00a0<\/a>Governor of\u00a0Delta\u00a0State.<\/div>\n
GENERAL PERCEPTION<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 Majority of people interviewed across\u00a0Delta\u00a0State have the perception that the person who will rule\u00a0Delta\u00a0State in\u00a02015\u00a0has not been named. Deltans are yearning for a grass-root, popular, regular fellow, who is acceptable to a majority of\u00a0Delta\u00a0voters. We shall keep you posted.<\/div>\n
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By:Professor Julius Uyanwanne juliusuyanwanne@yahoo.com As the\u00a02015\u00a0general elections draw closer, many aspirants are still springing up across the width and breadth of\u00a0Delta\u00a0State under the ruling PDP. Of this legion of aspirants, we have taken a closer look at the ones that are truly making inroads in the political equation of\u00a0Delta\u00a0State and their chances in the2015\u00a0Delta\u00a0State Governorship […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":416,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false},"categories":[2],"tags":[21,20],"class_list":["post-414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-state","tag-delta-guber-2015","tag-delta-state-governor-race"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"http:\/\/newsroom247.com.ng\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/Uduaghan.jpg","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4oswh-6G","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/newsroom247.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/newsroom247.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/newsroom247.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/newsroom247.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/newsroom247.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=414"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/newsroom247.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/414\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":417,"href":"http:\/\/newsroom247.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/414\/revisions\/417"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/newsroom247.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/416"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/newsroom247.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/newsroom247.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/newsroom247.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}