Delta Unity Group, a group of members within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta state has denied the purported endorsement of Sheriff Oborevwori, PDP guber candidate by his foremost rival, Olorogun David Edevbie.
Within the last five months, Edevbie and Oborevwori have been at daggers drawn over who becomes the PDP governorship candidate for the 2023 general elections in the state. Both had dragged each other to court with the Supreme Court technically passing final judgment in favour of Oborevwori, speaker of the state house of assembly.
Although Edevbie sent congratulatory message to Oborevwori and also commended his team for their gallantry during the period of the legal tussle, emerging facts reveal that the battle between Oborevwori and Edevbie is yet to be over. There have been conflicting reports from both camps in this direction.
At the early hours of Monday, November 28, 2022, reports emerged on the social media alleging that David Edevbie had confirmed support for Oborevwori, a development which reportedly meant an end to the political feud between the two Urhobo men.
The uncompleted report which emerged on Monday read as follows: “Breaking News: Olorogun David Edevbie confirms support for Oborevwori…Misses flight to Afiesere Ward rally but sends representative, Supports kola with N100k… Pledges to call Afiesere Ward meeting as soon as he returns to address the people.”
As Deltans mused over the authenticity of the report which only had headlines but no accompanying story, Fejiro Oliver, a strong supporter of the APC governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo_Agege, posted on facebook that the report should be ignored, saying it was fake news.
He said he had made contacts and was told that such report never emanated from David Edevbie’s stable. He alleged that the report was put together by Fred Edoreh, a former communication manager to Edevbie during the guber primaries.
Confirming the report of Oliver, Chairman of Delta Unity Group and former speaker of Delta state house of assembly, Peter Onwusanya, denied the endorsement of Sheriff by Edevibe. The Delta unity Group is composed of PDP members who are in support of David Edevbie.
Speaking on the alleged endorsement at Afiesere by Olorogun David Edevbie, Onwusanya said the report was a calculated lie tailored to deceive the discerning public, adding that nothing of such took place and that Edevbie did not give anybody his mandate to “wedge kola” at the alleged ceremony.
He warned against evil propaganda that could cause internal crisis within the party. He noted that David Edevbie is a respected member of the PDP and has no personal issues with Oborevwori, saying at the right time, Edevbie would personally make a statement on the way forward.
Further reports revealed that members of the group had flagged off sensitisation and mobilisation of the grassroots across the state ahead of the 2023 elections.
Flagging off the sensitisation at a gathering of all the wards in Ethiope West Local Government at Oghara, Onwusanya said “the PDP constitution encourages us to carry out these duties, which enhance internal democracy and sustain our grip of governance in the state.”
Speaking further, he said: “Our presence here today is to interact with and encourage our members to enlighten the people at the grassroots to collect their PVCs and vote for our candidates at all the elections that will take place in 2023.”
“We are fully committed to the ideals of the PDP and we are playing complimentary roles to ensure the party triumphs at the forthcoming elections.”
He encouraged members to be steadfast and undettered to the ideals of democracy and mobilise the grassroots to get their PVCs.
