Much ado about Delta SSG & zoning
Whether you call it zoning or use a more euphemistic term of “power shift pact”, it means essentially the same thing. What has come to the attention of many people is that after the interview of Wednesday, January 15, 2014, a publication emanated that was carried in The Guardian of 20th & 24th January 2014. The report was a misrepresentation of the interview granted to the media by Delta State SSG Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay in his office. The SSG, who has always been a friend of the media, based on his antecedents, granted an interview that lasted over an hour and half. After the interview at the office, SSG was gracious enough to invite everyone to his house for refreshment. Over twenty-three (23) guests were treated to dinner and a casual discussion at SSG's official residence.
Some of us reviewed our recorded interviews and nowhere did SSG mention in the question and answer session in his office about “politics of vengeance.” The SSG, a respected PDP chieftain and stalwart is a de-tribalised Deltan that openly embraces all ethnic nationalities and is a champion of Delta State development. With that said, it will be strange if anyone unethically recorded the various off-the-record conversations that ensued in SSG's home, as all colleagues (including SSG) shared a meal together.
In my Vote of thanks, the friendliness and openness of the SSG towards the media was acknowledged. It will be an affront to the SSG for anyone to have twisted the SSG's words or mischievously taken him out of context.
It can be stated categorically that the publications that appeared in Guardian Newspaper of 20th & 24th January, 2014 were not accurate representation of what was said at the press session at SSG's office. In fact, many portions appear to be outright fabrications, concocted to malign the image of the SSG or bring enmity between him and the Anioma people. It begs the question whether there was a hidden agenda behind the publication. If the Guardian reporter behaved unethically, it will be up to NUJ to decide on the appropriate disciplinary measures to take on the erring reporter. Nonetheless, it is obvious that the SSG, who clearly stated in the interview, that his “motivation is the development of Delta State” was simply stating the mind of well-meaning Deltans that we should elect a governor who will continue and build on the developmental strides of both Chief James Ibori and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.
Clearly, some of us are aware of superbly qualified candidates from Delta North (and other zones), who should be campaigning based on a developmental manifesto as opposed to “Ohanize Agenda.” It is quite conceivable that the next governor could be from Delta North, especially if that person is able to build bridges across the other ethnic groups, not just geo-political zones.
One of the beauties of being a Deltan is the synergy and inter-marriages between the ethnic groups. I am a product of an Anioma (Utagba-Uno) mother and Urhobo father. No one can accuse me of disliking my mother's people. Same with the SSG and we both speak a language from Anioma, albeit Ukwanni. Additionally, I am married to a wonderful Anioma (Onitcha-Ukwanni) daughter. This will be the reason why people like us see a reason for building inter-ethnic bridges. Delta State is a microcosm of Nigeria and needs a dynamic and de-tribalised governor that will develop the whole State, not just a region. The best candidate should not be an Ukwanni governor, an Urhobo governor, an Ijaw governor, an Isoko governor, an Aboh governor, an Ika governor or an Itsekiri governor.
The reason why some of us in the south are concerned about “Northern” or “Muslim” candidates at the national level is because they will pursue an agenda for “their” people only, exclusive of the “other” people's interest, or subordinate southern interest to northern interest. The same should hold true in Delta. We should all clamour for a non-regional governor.
So, some of us read with consternation the various publications on the issue and it is good to see that the record has been set straight by those who were physically present, through a publication of the full-text of the interview.
I believe 2015 will be a watershed moment for Delta and Nigeria. We are equal to the challenge and proper change will definitely come! Can't you feel the wind of change blowing?