DELTA APC AND UNDERSTANDING THE INDICES FOR VICTORY IN 2019

The Olikeze Angle(1)


The inauguration of HE Comrade Adams Oshiomole as Chairman of our Party brought to an end the first round of thick party internal jostling. This process which also witnessed the inauguration of State working committees by the NWC, signalled the beginning of the contest for who will emerge the Gubernatorial candidate at the 2019 general election. The congresses are over and wouldn't be reconducted, therefore what stands between us and 2019 where we will square up with an experienced PDP, is the primary elections. We must recognise and come to terms with the fact that we are launching a serious offensive, especially with the second term bid of PMB and a recontesting Ifeanyi Okowa. However, as a state we are more burdened with the problem of presenting the Best and Most suitable Candidate to Muscle out Okowa.

While understanding the need to entrench the most progressive system after taking over power, we must xray and listen to arguments being projected for those who have so far haven't denied their reported intention to seek the ticket and by extension seek to Govern Delta state.
Beyond changing Okowa, there is the need to present the candidate that perfectly carries the all encompassing attribute of one who can wield and administer political and Administrative power. One who we can say provides the best option of a departure from mediocrity in governance and administration for delta and whom is proven to have an understanding of leadership and the right belief system. One whose followership is ready to go toe to toe with the opposition on all fronts.

We must be true to ourselves and observe that the many potholes we must avoid on our way to choosing a candidate, includes the  representation of the very issues we fight against in our system today. We must also try as much as we can to avoid allowing assumptions, unfounded allegations and illogical arguments that wouldn't enable us utilize the best potential in our rank of befitting options, and sell ourselves short on inferior issues of past affiliation, without proper scrutiny.

For clarity sake, we must understand that most of those that give swell to our ranks had participated in governance over the years in Delta State. As a matter of fact, the Major Forces that presently negotiate a common ground ahead of 2019 in APC, all had something to with PDP at a point in time.The Distinguished Serving Senator for Delta Central Senatorial District was a Special Adviser, Commissioner, Secretary to the State Government and Gubernatorial Aspirant in 2007, after a near decade affiliation with PDP. Today he leads the charge from one end.

Notably we have Rt Hon Victor Ochei Esq, who rose to become Speaker For 3years and 9months before resigning to contest for Governor. In 2015 he distanced himself from the PDP and subsequently joined the Progressives rank, becoming the first major statewide force to identify with the APC. Bringing with him the might of being a former No 3 man in the hierarchy of Government, whose 12year narrative as representative of Aniocha North has unarguably become the most proven impactful representation witnessed in delta state. A man who came from an opposition party into the House and became Speaker 2 dispensations later at the age of 42 and was already blazing the trail in modern representation.

Where some within our ranks in the APC find it hard to relate with his enigmatic and progressive persona, despite being in the party today and having contributed immensely to its visibility, Rt Hon Ochei undoubtedly bears no political affiliation with the ruling party in the state, having long ago distanced himself from such retrogressive penchant and remaining distant from it. More so, his progressive and intellectually guided antagonism of  the Ifeanyi Okowa Administration's gross mediocrity, has irked the pulse of the powers that be in the PDP. In January 2018, a staunch follower of Ochei', Comrade Emmanuel Chi Oweazim APC Candidate for Onicha Olona, Ward 4 Aniocha North LGA (Ochei's Ward), after being certified as winner of at the outcome of votes count before the people, was brazenly victimized and illegally denied his victory during the PDP organized Local Government Elections. The personalization and resort to underhand means of securing the advantage at that election by cronies of the Governor, provides an insight into the fear and desperation in the hearts of Senator Okowa and those around him, at the personality and Clout of Rt.Hon Victor Ochei.
The events of the past 12 months in the State, further exposes the apprehension of the Ifeanyi Okowa/PDP political hierarchy at the stature, Spread and Reach of an Ochei flying the APC Gubernatorial Ticket, with the realities he can take advantage of. Dr Okowa has had to effect a Cabinet reshuffle before the Local Govt elections and nominate one Mr Emmanuel Chinye,  a product of the Ochei Political Family, as replacement Commissioner nominee for Aniocha North, despite already having notable Govt and political personalities already domiciled at that local government. Some also will Recall the propositions and desperate moves by Okowa to Ochei in the face of a possible teaming up with Ogboru to spoil his party in 2015. The Anioma agitation which at the time was allowed to favour Okowa would effectively this time favor Victor Ochei and by extension APC.
 Numerous other instances of the palpaple fear of Victor Ochei and the potential split his candidacy will cause PDP abound, all which will be advantageous to the APC.

Beyond the political calculations to consider in removing Okowa from office, there is need to also consider attributes that make for a government that will display the preparedness to create a Better Delta, through networking our potential, engendering innovation and  bearing an open-minded to diverse and dynamic avenues at growing the state to meet up the deficit in leadership delivery, which has created a delta state that is vulnerable and uncertain of its ability to face the challenges of existing in a fast evolving world.
We must take advantage of the knowledge of Rt Hon Ochei, who already possesses an understanding of what cogs and nuts need to be fixed and tightened.
We must open our laser of scrutiny and beam it on issues that should matter if we must take over by 2019.
Drawing inspiration from Edo state in 2012 and how the combination of Grace  Group, a group floated by Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu (Former Edo SSG) and Kenneth Imasuagbon, after exiting PDP came together with Comrade Adams Oshiomole and ACN, to oust PDP. We have a better scenario and will likely have a win in Delta State with A Former Speaker Leading the Charge in Delta State.

The issue to focus on is if the aspirant has proven through his timeline of political relevance the sagacity, Clout, innovation and dynamism that have become scarce but also in dire need as it relates to Ousting PDP/Okowa and chartingva new course for the state.

We need to Shed the negative sentiments, prove the spurious allegations of corruption against him, downplay the camp rilvary and see from a proven viewpoint that Rt Hon Victor Ochei is the best Option we have at Challenging Okowa, as his candidacy will complement the steady spread of the APC in Delta state.


#OLIKEZEISCOMING