BY CHUKWUOBI ANYASI
A report from Delta government house has been trending on social media, especially Facebook and WhatsApp. The report was shared by Delta government house press unit.
In the report, as pieced together by the press unit, the governor said Senator Ned Nwoko representing Delta North had never engaged him in discussions as regards development projects in Delta state.
He alleged that the Senator was spreading falsehood against him. He made the allegations in government house during a courtesy visit by the Ndokwa Neku Union led by the President General, Brigadier General Mike Ndubisi Rtd.
In the course of the discussion, Governor Oborevwori alleged that the only interaction the senator had ever had with him was to request appointments for some persons which he said he granted.
He also said the senator had never for once discussed issues of funding of Okpai power plant with him. Therefore, for the governor, Senator Nwoko told lies against him. Oborevwori also denied knowledge of Senator Nwoko’s empowerment programs and his moves to change the long-standing narratives in the Delta North senatorial district.
But a careful examination of the report, one can observe that Oborevwori may not have said the truth.
Available reports indicate that Senator Nwoko had met with Governor Oborevwori more than three times where issues of Okpai power plant and Ogwashi Uku water dam were tabled. But the governor, bent on developing only Delta central, his own area at the detriment of Delta North, turned down the request of the Distinguished Senator, giving very flimsy excuses to the Senator.
The report from the government house is a very shameful and unfortunate one where the governor could call a Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and who is passionate about all round welfare of his constituent a liar.
Findings revealed that Senator Ned Nwoko has gone to the government house and met with Oborevwori about three times to discuss the Okpai IPP stepdown, Ogwashi-Uku Dam and other infrastructures in Delta North.
According to reports, it was in those meetings that the governor told Nwoko that he’s paying debts left behind by previous governments which amounted to over 400 billion.
During the Senator’s courtesy visit to the Asagba of Asaba, he told the Royal Father that the electric power that will be stepped down from Okpai power plant will not only benefit Ndokwa nation but almost all communities in Delta North. And by parity of reasons, the power that will be generated will benefit Delta government house and other government institutions like the expansive state secretariat along Mariam Babangida Way in Asaba.
According to the report from the government house, Oborevwori also feigned ignorance of the laudable bills and motions of Senator Ned Nwoko and the infrastructural projects he has attracted to his constituency.
Without mincing words, the governor cannot feign ignorance of the second reading of the bill to convert the federal college of education in Asaba to the federal university of technology. The bill has been committed to the senate committee on TETFUND and tertiary institutions. And definitely within next year, the college will be converted to a federal university. The benefit will be for Asaba people, and by extension, Delta North.
Again, the Oko road which has been a nightmare to residents of the area, Senator Nwoko has inserted it into the federal budget for 2025. Senator Nwoko said the road will run from Oko through Aboh in Ndokowa east to Patani in Delta South. This project will be a big relief to Oko people.
For the federal road stretching between Onitsha and Benin City, it is public knowledge that Senator Nwoko facilitated the repair. He visited the Managing Director of FERMA and minister of works, Dave Umahi, to move them to repair the road. It was after the move of the Senator that state officials wanted to claim glory. But they failed.
Again, using his influence, Senator Nwoko attracted a mini sports stadium to Aniocha North. But some disgruntled elements among officials of the state government moved the local government, which initially set out a portion of the council secretariat for the stadium, away, attempting to deny the people of Aniocha North that federal government project. But today, the project is on course, though in another location.
On empowerment, the Senator has carried out various empowerment programs across the senatorial district. Many projects are ongoing. He has undertaken free medical treatment to his constituents and empowered youths.
It is on record that Senator Nwoko is the only senator with the highest bills and motions within the one year and few months in the 10th senate. This is why Channels TV anchor, Seun Okinbaloye, told him, during a live appearance that it will take a full tenure or two for some federal lawmakers to move motions and sponsor the bills Nwoko has sponsored within the period under review.
Most of his bills which space will not permit to itemise here are jinx breakers. They are bills a lily livered Senator cannot attempt to sponsor. When finally passed into law, his bills, such as the bill on compelling micro-blogging platforms to establish offices in Nigeria, will transform the economy of Nigeria for ever for good.
Besides, he is presently pulling the international community to pay for the damages they did to Africa, and most especially Nigeria, during the era of slave trade. He has met with some countries and he has gotten positive responses.
Political observers believe that Governor Oborevwori in cahoot with some PDP officials are terribly threatened by the great moves and successes of the Senator, hence, the surreptitious moves to dampen his great achievement before his constituents.
Nwoko, who is a first term Senator is seen as a ranking member due to his moves and powerful bills which will in the long run positively enhance lives of Nigerians. Therefore, in a bid to whip up sentiments against the senator, the governor with his retinue of media aides are employing every unholy moves to drive the narrative against Nwoko.
But the achievements of the senator have dwarfed all attempts to paint him black before the people of Anioma land. He stands by his words. He is not moved by inglorious sentiments.
However, the ball is in the court of the people of Delta North. It is on record that since 1999 till date, no senator from Delta North, not even the entire Delta, has made powerful breakthroughs as Senator Ned Nwoko in the National Assembly. In the unfolding 2027 election which is two years away, Delta North should make the wisest of all decisions. Senator Nwoko should be the PDP candidate to beat in the election. He is presently the shining light in the region.
Anioma people must rise up and support Senator Ned Nwoko. His drive is for enduring projects not palliatives that are temporary and turn the receivers to perpetual beggars.
Chukwuobi Anyasi can be reached via akigreg1@gmail.com
