Acting Gov. Obi Nominates Esegbue As Commissioner To End Legal Tussle
In a bid to frustrate the legal battle he is facing amidst his acting role as Governor of oil and gas wealthy Delta state, Prince Sam Obi has nominated Mr. Leonard Esegbue as a commissioner and member of the State Executive Council among five others. Esegbue is currently in Court of Appeal with the present acting governor, challenging his nomination by the by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest the 2007 House of Assembly election as representative of Ika North East.
The nominees as contained in a list sent to the state House of Assembly include Mr. Leonard Esegbue, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, Mr. Ngozi Okolie, Brave Enode and Barr. David Peter Ekereokosu and Dumbiri Uweh.
But Obi, in his quest to enjoy a smooth three-month stay in office as Acting Governor of Delta state, following the ouster of former Governor Emmanuel Uduagha by the Appeal Court sitting in Benin City, Edo state has named Mr. Leonard Esegbue in the list he submitted to the state House of Assembly as commissioner .
Sources say the deal was struck by key political stakeholders from Ika and spearheaded by Dr. (Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa who many see as defacto governor of Delta state.
Obi is known to have been a stooge to Okowa who is frequently referred to as Political Godfather of the present acting governor.
Accordingly, the commissioner nominees have been directed to appear before the House of Assembly on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 for screening and possible confirmation. They are also requested to submit their credentials to the House before the day of screening.
The list of commissioner nominees is the first official correspondence from the acting governor since he assumed office following the nullification of the 2007 governorship election of Dtr. Emmanuel Uduaghan by the court of Appeal.
Meanwhile, former Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has stormed the oil-rich city of Warri from hiding.
Although he was received in the blaze of glory for the first time after his election was annulled, many Deltans expressed concern over the method adopted by PDP to hire ignorant Deltans to welcome a man they abhor his style of governance.
While being received at the Osubi Airport in Warri, shameless Uduaghan implored Deltans to be steadfast in the bid to reclaim their mandate, and cursing those carrying out satanic opposition against the state will not have their way.
According to him; 'Let me just give you this secret. I have been with these people (Deltans) all my life time. I schooled in Delta, was born and bred here (Delta) the only time I left here was to the University of Benin, Edo State. But as soon as I finished, I came to Delta and started working and I have been living in Delta State. They know me and I know them and I will not come from any other place to look for a mandate.
'I want to thank all of you, who have been very patient. The day this thing happened (annulment) if not for the lot of work people did, the story would have been different because alot of people were upset and they were ready to go on rampage. Today, I can see that the people are ready to claim their mandate.
'Now let me emphasize that it is not just only Uduaghan's mandate but a mandate for PDP and it is the grassroot people mandate. For those who have been all over the place, carrying out demonic opposition, satanic opposition, let me assure them that they cannot succeed.
'We are not afraid of opposition, we are not afraid of criticism but when the opposition becomes demonic and satanic, it is no longer acceptable. And I can assure you that Deltans are ready to handle any demonic opposition in the state.
'The message to Deltans is that we are fully back and on ground, to claim our mandate. And the things we have done for Deltans before, the hope and aspirations of people will be restored by the grace of God. People that have benefitted from our free maternity services, those that have been given buses, those viewing TV centres to watch football matches we will do more and for those who have not benefitted, they will benefit the more especially our youths. The future is yours.
'I am assured a lot of companies now come to Delta. Delta is now the preferred choice of destinations for investors. Delta is now an enabling environment for investors. People just talk about infrastructures and Airports. These are not the only things we have done, we did them because we need them for industries to come and alot is yet to come. Sometimes I am very happy when people compare a three and half year's administration to eight years old administration. It means we have done well and we will do more,' Dr. Uduaghan said.
'To my fellow PDP members, if I have offended you, forgive me. It is a PDP challenge, so let's remain in PDP.
Obi had recently during meeting with traditional rulers in Asaba charged traditional rulers in the state not to allow their domain to be used as a spring board for fomenting trouble. He enjoined them to be vigilant and not allow political jobbers cause needless confusion in their domain during and after the rerun election in the state.
The acting governor explained that the traditional institution was a cohesive force for promoting development and therefore appealed to traditional rulers to see that there was harmonious co-existence between their communities and their neighbours.
His words 'There can be no meaningful development without peace and since the traditional institution is still relevant in the system, I implore you to promote peace, unity and development in the society'
The acting governor used the occasion to call on Deltans to be law abiding and peaceful pending when the Independent National Electoral Commission will come out with the date for the election.
The acting governor, in another forum implored leaders of various political parties in the state not to create unnecessary tension in the state but conduct their campaigns within the ambit of the law. 'I will like to use this medium to implore all leaders of different political parties to urge their members to conduct themselves and their campaigns within the law'.