Since 1999 when Nigeria attained true democracy, Delta North and the entire Delta state has been under the ruling People’s Democratic Party, the PDP. The party has produced members of the state house of assembly, national assembly and the three governors that have ruled and still rule the state. It’s only Delta central that has had a senator of the national ruling party and a member of the House of Representatives. The Delta North incumbent senator, though a sitting member of the APC, he won his election on the platform of the PDP. So, one can conveniently say that the Delta North region has been subjected to the shackles of the PDP since 1999.
But looking at the nine local government areas that make up the Delta North zone, one can say that the region has not actually enjoyed the dividends of democracy. Stakeholders in the zone cannot beat their chest and say yes, they have enjoyed all that is due to them from the federal and state governments since 1999 till date. Elected leaders of the two parties in the zone cannot be bold enough to say they have met the needs of the people of Anioma nation with the funds accruable to the zone.
The old woman in the village of Ogume may not know that the government of Nigeria has a lot in mind for her. The poor farmer in Akwukwu Igbo, Illah, Okpai, Akumazi, Ozanogogo, Igbodo, Isheagu, Nkwunzu and others may not know what government has budgeted for her as a farmer to feed Nigeria. Our legislators are aware of this. These are part of the constituency projects which are diverted and stolen by people we entrust with our future. They say they care for us but they go home with what belongs to us. They divert annual constituency projects, spend an insignificant fraction on motorcycles, generators, sewing and hair dressing machines, tricycles and little money to make the rural dweller happy and able to prepare a pot of soup a day. And the huge money is frittered away.
They relegate our people to the bottom of life while they galivant around the world with resources meant for the upgrade of lives of our people. They are praised to the high heavens when they attend functions in their villages but the village dwellers are living in abject poverty. During elections, they buy the village woman’s vote with bags of salt, rice, bales of clothing and N1000 for a pot of soup, and the village woman is happy. After the election, they disappear to the federal capital territory and reappear only to distribute motorcycles, sewing machines, tricycles to the rural people with no meaningful impact in their lives. And this has been the case over the years, for the past 23 years.
But now, it’s time to go for a change, a new Nigeria under the leadership of President Peter Obi and Barrister Kennedy Kanma for Delta North Senate. The wind is blowing across the land, the wind of hope and renewed dream and vision for a brighter and greater Anioma land. Barrister Kennedy Kanma is coming with Peter Obi to revive dead hopes and killed dreams. We need to realise that there is enough in Nigeria for everyone. There is enough money that can provide better life for every Nigerian. But our problem is that we are surrounded by thieves and robbers. These are dream killers and destiny destroyers. These are people who only care for themselves and their families. Their children are schooling outside the shores of Nigeria but they cannot provide amenities for our community schools.
In Delta North, residents have not had anything good since 1999. A case in view is Ndokwa nation which produces power to other parts of the country but major parts of the area have not seen a flicker of light. People in that area live in abject poverty but they generate electricity for people in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano and other big cities but the electricity producers have no power supply. Again, the dam in Ogwashi Uku has been deemed completed for years but it has not generated needed energy for the people of the area. But there are representatives who know the state of the dam and living condition of the people but fail to speak up or fight for the people they represent. They are failed leaders.
In all the nine local government areas in Anioma nation, there are woeful tales of failures of the representatives of the people. Many people have represented the zone in different capacities but have failed to make budgetary provisions on behalf of the people they represent in the national assembly. Even when budgetary provisions are made, they are diverted for personal use. On monthly basis, they go home, smiling to the banks with millions for their pleasure at the detriment of the people they represent. Their people back home are pining away in hunger and poverty. They care less for them. This is why we must redirect our vision, our mindset in the 2023 general elections and vote in representatives and senator with the right mindset for the good of Anioma land.
It’s time up for failed leaders who cannot stand up for their people but for their personal aggrandisement and the pleasure of their families. Their children are schooling abroad with public money but the people they represent have no chairs in their schools. It’s time to change the narrative. The wind sweeping across the nation is calling for a paradigm shift from the old to the new. The old parties which are peopled by men and women who are heavily corrupt must be shown the way out and a new Nigeria with a breadth of fresh air inaugurated in 2023.
In the coming election, Delta North can no longer vote as usual. It’s time for us to shine our eyes and vote in people who have good mind for us. Barrister Kennedy Kanma has made himself available to represent the zone in the Senate. He is one of the few Anioma sons with the heart of gold. He is poised to challenge the status quo and ensure what belongs to Anioma nation is given to the people. Delta North people are tired of promises that are never fulfilled. We cannot have representatives who only speak for themselves and their pockets. Funds for projects from NDDC are either diverted entirely or shoddy projects executed and huge funds frittered away. And our people are left with no voice. And the cycle continues.
In the 2023 election, we need vote for Labour Party. That is the party with men who care for our lives. As we vote for Peter Obi for president we vote for Kennedy Kanma for senate. Yes, Peter Obi needs men of like minds to speedily actualise his vision for a greater Nigeria and a better, liveable Anioma land. Any mistake in this election, either because of a bag of rice, salt, bale of wrappers, pot of soup will lead to more pains for our people. The party logo of papa, mama and pikin says it all. Labour Party cares for the family. The welfare of our families are the primary drives of Peter Obi and Kennedy Kanma. Let’s team up with them to realise this objective.
