ISOKO SOUTH LGA: WHO TAKES THE SEAT OF CHAIRMANSHIP?

It is appalling that nobody can envisage the exact date that the Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan would conduct elections into the 25 local governments in the state. Late last year, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan fixed a date of conducting elections into the local governments which many political aspirants were vigorously jostling for the position of chairmanship in their various local governments, only to change the date of fixed election and hurriedly inaugurated Transition Caretaker Committees that would help to pilot the affairs of the Local governments pending when the state government is ready to conduct free and fair elections into the local governments

It is obvious that there are three formidable political parties in Isoko south which are the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and Labour Party (LP). But Labour Party is popular in Uzere community and others. The leadership of the PDP cannot be comparable to other political parties in Isoko South. In the re-run election

of Uduaghan in 2011, Isoko South abysmally failed to secure large votes due to the opposition party called the DPP under Great Ogboru's leadership but only power of incumbency that made Uduaghan narrowly secured the total victory of the election in the State. Since Isoko South LGA was created on September 23rd 1991 after Delta State creation in the same year, only few infrastructural developments could be seen from preceding governments. Some past Isoko South local Government chairmen injected projects to ameliorate the sufferings of the people within the local government but massively looted the funds of the council. Isoko South is one the Delta State local governments that receives the highest revenue from the state government on monthly basis, yet no formidable projects could be sited except few ones and nothing else. Political corruption is more pronounced in the council despite the previous presence of EFCC and ICPC never prevent the menace of the deadly disease of corruption in the system. The immediate past government of Chief Askia Ogieh was accused of nefarious corruption, yet he still controls the council in all ramifications.

Come to think of those chairmanship aspirants and candidates for Isoko South LGA but not knowing the exact date of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan conducting elections into the local governments in the State. Some of these professed aspirants are mere posters or card carrier politicians who do not have business with political leadership rather want to make their names without useful manifestoes to convince the electorates of their ambitions. Even Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is not left out in Isoko South but only DPP is waxing stronger to wrestle power from the almighty PDP. If not Prof. Attahiru Jega, the INEC chairman that scrapped some of the non- performing political parties in Nigeria, Isoko South would have been flopped with several political parties.Isoko nation is having only two local governments while Isoko North was created out of Isoko South due to population and infrastructural developments, In 2011 precisely, Many people came en mass to contest for Isoko South chairmanship but could not see the light of day since anointed fixture of candidate or aspirant is no longer relevant in Delta politics.

Assessing some of the political aspirants vying for Isoko South chairmanship indicated that some are mere noise makers without political preparation to face the task of becoming a council chairman. One of the recent PDP aspirants, Hon Raphael Okelezo who based in Lagos intended to contest for the office of the chairmanship without adequate preparation rather waiting for one outdated politician to anoint him into the office. To the extent that some school of thought assumes that the newly appointed Transition Caretaker Committee chairman would have been him as anointed son of the soil. Even some of the aspirants are mere face book campaigners without real preparation for the Isoko South LGA election. Though, Hon. Raphael Okelezo living in Lagos would deter his political ambition as the next chairman of the council if elected. He does not have the financial power to win such competitive election except High Chief Sergeant Uredi sees him through if the need arises as the case may be. He has not contributed largely to the political development of Irri community but highly educated to the core. He should be advised to resort to his hospitality business in Lagos and allow Isoko South politics to lies. Hon. Evans Egbo also coming under the platform of the PDP as former Isoko South legislator , Board member of the Delta State Sport council and Isoko United Football Club to contest for the office of the chairmanship of Isoko South. Though he is well educated and knows the nitty-gritty of Isoko South politics can easily win if he is in the good terms with his political godfathers in the land. Although, Isoko South Local government is usually zoned to all Isoko South communities that have not benefited from its leadership since its formation. Even the office of Vice chairman is also zoned together with the council legislators as the case may be.

Again, Hon. Micheal Ugbuku was once Isoko South Local government chairman and many people are persuading him to recontest for the office of the council chairman due to his immense contribution to the developmental progress of the council but some school of thought assumes that new breed politicians should be elected into the council rather than old fish politician. Rev Jerry Eziomano Odugala is another vibrant politician with journalistic background and intimidating credentials vying for Isoko South LGA chairman. He is well-educated and had foreign experiences in politics and writing skills. The question many people are asking, does he have any reliable and trustworthy godfather in Asaba? Has he collected any divine blessing from Dr Uduaghan to contest? He has what he takes to win Isoko South chairman if all things work together. Hon Malik Itiako Ikpokpo who once contested for Delta State House of Assembly in 2011 and later stepped down and he is also vying for the Isoko South chairman which probably the anointed candidate and son to win the election. He is in the good books of his loyal fathers like Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, Comrade Macaulay Ovuzourie and Hon Solomon Ogba. He is a gentle man with cerebral uprightness. He is a great philanthropist to the core. The chances of winning Isoko South chairman is in hands and nothing else. Other opposition parties are also jostling for the council chairman with high profile criticisms on the immediate past chairman of the council. Chief Askia Ogieh, rumors making the round that he might recontest but he is not presently at the good books of Isoko politicians and people but his political boys are now being inaugurated into the council as Transition Committee chairman and Vice chairman by Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan.He is presently pursuing State appointment from Uduaghan. Hon Osiga Oghale, former ACN Federal House Representatives candidate intends to contest under the same platform of ACN if all things work together. She might win but feminine would equally deter her from victory. Some of these Isoko South towns and villages are Emede. Irri, Aviara, Olomoro, Uzere, Ivrogbo, Ada, Uro, Idheze, Igbide and others. Hon Obi Eneruvie , the Isoko South PDP chairman must examine some of these aspirants properly before given them pass mark to contest.. Though the anointed candidate will emerge in the means of many candidates that would take Isoko South to the Promised Land. Hon Benjamin Essien of DPP also influencing DPP candidate to take over Isoko south but only Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan will decide when election would be conducted into the 25 local government in the state.

BY GODDAY ODIDI PUBLIC AFFAIRS ANALYST.08058124798. 20 ORO STREET AJEGUNLE APAPA LAGOS.