2015: Crisis Rocks Delta PDP Over Alleged 'Imposition' Of Retired Perm. Secretary As 'PDP Candidate'

…Why I am supporting Obuh's guber ambitious – Ayeri Emami

SAN FRANCISCO, October 02, (THEWILL) - Crisis is brewing in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State over alleged 'imposition' of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan's confidant, Tony Obuh, as 'PDP governorship candidate' in the forthcoming guber election in the state.

A group of party leaders and stakeholders told THEWILL that Obuh who recently was 'forced' to retire to enable him accomplish the goal of those 'pushing' him into the race is already being 'imposed' allegedly on the people by Governor Uduaghan as the sole governorship candidate of the party come 2015.

In a strong worded communique issued at the end of its meeting held at Emede, Isoko South Local Government Area of the state, the group which styled itself as Assembly of Delta State PDP Leaders and Stakeholders, said it would resist any attempt to foist Obuh on the party in a manner contrary to the party's policy of allowing a level playing field for aspirants.

The communique entitled; 'Delta State PDP In Crisis Over Obuh' and signed by the Interim Chairman of the group, Chief Paul Eriri, said that the crisis brewing in the party over the alleged 'imposition' of Obuh by Governor Uduaghan will soon degenerate.

The group alleged that Uduaghan had deployed the state's machinery to support Obuh who they are flaunting as 'anointed' over others even when the party was yet to conduct its primaries.

According to the statement, 'The Assembly of Delta State PDP Leaders and Stakeholders resolve that we shall in its entirety oppose the practice of imposition by Governor Uduaghan as a political 'EBOLA' and therefore directed all our members to consult with their followers and reconvene again this week for further action.

We are however hopeful that the national leader of our party, President Goodluck Jonathan, the chairman of Board of Trustees of our party, PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, the national leader of Ijaw nation, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, and national chairman of our party, Alhaji Muazu would prevail on Dr. Uduaghan to withdraw his arbitrary endorsement of Mr. Anthony Obuh.

We have observed with displeasure the use of government officials and facilities by Governor Uduaghan to promote and protect Mr. Obuh and we therefore call on the state Assembly to as a matter of urgency and importance rise up and investigate the issue immediately.

'We are using this medium to appeal to Governor Uduaghan not to destroy the unity of the party in the state.'

The group however expressed the commitment of the PDP leaders in the state to the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

But an ally of Uduaghan and Chief Convener of Delta United for Tony Obuh, Chief Ayirimi Emami, has dismissed claims that Uduaghan was imposing Obuh on the people, particularly the ruling PDP.

Emami, who itemised five points why he was supporting Obuh apparently in reaction to earlier reports accredited to him that the Uduaghan had 'anointed' Obuh and asked them to work for him, said Obuh would consolidate on the achievements of President Goodluck Jonathan in the state.

According to him; 'As a proven technocrat and academic, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan's efforts in developing all parts of the country, especially Delta State, requires the complimentary effort of another seasoned technocrat in the person of Tony Chuks Obuh.”

Emami noted that the election of Obuh will sustain the PDP's policy of power sharing/ rotation, particularly as it affects Delta State governorship, adding that Obuh's pivotal role in the Delta Beyond Oil Agenda of the Uduaghan Administration with emphasis on investment in agriculture is another reason why he should be the next governor of Delta State at the expiration of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan's tenure.

'Obuh's detribalised posture bolstered by his several years of interfacing with Deltans from all ethnic divides is another vital reason why he should be elected as the next governor of Delta State come 2015,” Emami said, adding that Obuh is a bridge between the old and upcoming generation of Deltans .

'Obuh's civil service background will help in effectively managing our scarce resources,' he stressed.

Meanwhile, a stanch member of a political pressure group, Delta Elders, Leaders and Stakeholder Forum, led by the South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has said that the alleged 'rumoured' endorsement of Obuh by Uduaghan is already a major issues being tackled by the group.

The source who didn't want his name on print said since this Obuh thing came, Chief Clark has been anxious about the card being played by Uduaghan and had decided to watch the unfolding political scenario until recently when he was said to have confronted him (Uduaghan) on the Obuh's rumoured endorsement which he (Uduaghan) had repeatedly denied.

According to the source, Clark would have believed Uduaghan, but for his alleged recent directive to all his political aides to join the Tony Obuh 2015 governorship project or resign, which had infuriated the elder statesman who had vowed to checkmate the Ibori/Uduaghan dynasty in order to avert crisis in the party.

The source said that Clark had earlier warned Governor Uduaghan against the imposition of Obuh on Deltans, alleging that the message Clark was sending is that the governor should desist from playing games that would cause him what he never bargained for, apparently referring to the kind of fight his predecessor, Ibori got that resulted to his incarceration in London.

The source said that Clark also lambasted those championing the Obuh project, especially some of the state lawmakers and aides to Governor Uduaghan, saying neither Governor Uduaghan nor any single individual can attempt to impose a governor on PDP or Deltans in 2015. 'Delta State is not for one person or for charlatans to govern,' Clark was quoted as saying.

According to our source, Clark stated further that all the critical stakeholders in the PDP will meet in due course to decide who is more suitable because all aspirants have the right to aspire for the governorship and one person alone cannot decide the fate of the entire Deltans.

'We all have a stake, Chief Clark alone cannot make it. Let me tell you, I cannot endorse anyone but I can give you my blessing. The governor alone cannot do it. Is it unfair for one single person to impose a candidate on anybody, will you allow it? About three weeks ago, we sat down, and we agreed that he (Uduaghan) alone, me alone and no one else, not one single person can make the Governor of Delta State and I told him,' the elder statesman was also quoted as saying.