Information reaching our newsroom is indicative that former Governor James Onanefe Ibori of Delta state is reportedly making frantic efforts to woo the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to anoint his political godson, Olorogun David Edevbie, for the 2023 guber race in Delta state.
Available reports revealed that Governor Okowa is not favourable disposed to Edevbie as possible successor for the office of the governor. This is even as recent reports revealed that the governor has decided to turn to Urhobo ethnic nationality to take over the office in 2023.
Edevbie, a former finance commissioner in Okowa’s first term and a chief of staff in the governor’s second term was axed from office by the governor following his ambition to run for office of the governor in 2023. Sources close to powers have also hinted that the DC-23, a lobby group of a select Urhobo people is surreptitiously moving to anoint Edevbie as its utmost objective.
Okowa’s perceived unwillingness to go the way of Edevbie may not be unconnected with the 2014 PDP primaries where David Edevbie slugged it out with him and clinched second position in the primary election that produced Okowa as PDP candidate.
The action of Edevbie was contrary to the PDP zoning arrangement where it was clearly the turn of Delta North to produce the governor. It was not expected that Edevbie should join the race with the governor. Edevbie’s entrance into the race, despite the zoning arrangement is reportedly displeasing to the governor.
In the 2023 general elections, Ibori is believed to have pitched his tent with Edevbie, on whose auspices the DC-23 is allegedly lobbying for Urhobo governor, though covertly working for Edevbie.
Within the last few days, Ibori is reported to have made moves to speak to powerful figures in the country to help appeal to the conscience of Okowa to anoint Edevbie for the 2023 governorship race.
One of the names, sources mentioned, is former President Olusegun Obasanjo who was civilian president from 1999 to 2007. According to our source, Ibori reportedly met with Obasanjo in Lagos to help talk to Okowa to look the way of Edevbie for the 2023 race.
While Ibori is making underground moves, the people of Delta are of the opinion that the era of godfathers in the state must come to a close. Okowa’s emergence did not come through godfathers.
Deltans are of the opinion that Ibori should give way to allow people of independent minds, selected by the majority take over the rein of power.
