DELTA 2015: UTUAMA JOINS GOVERNORSHIP RACE

DEPUTY governor of Delta State, Professor Amos Utuama, yesterday, joined the governorship race in Delta State after the purchase of nomination form for him by The Peoples Network” for Prof. Amos Agbe Utuama for Governor 2015.

Addressing journalists after picking the form, chairman of the group, Rev. Fr. Christopher Ekabo, said having served for eight years under James Ibori and another eight years as deputy to Emmanuel Uduaghan, Utuama was better prepared knowledgeable and experienced to continue on the projects and development of the state.

According to him, it took the group a day to the deadline to purchase the form because the individual concerned had to raise the funds, explaining that a state like Delta with various tribes and interest needed a man neutral and unassuming.

According to him, “Prof. Utuama is a rare breed, an industrious, trustworthy, accomplished legal colossus with great insight and strong organisation ability. He is a man of integrity, an epitome of humility, a lover of peace, gentle as a dove, a dynamic, meticulous, reliable and versatile administrator, whose interpersonal relationship is second to none. This, perhaps, explains why he has been in the corridors of power without any known record of clashes with those above or below him. He is a beneficent and philanthropic administrator.

“As a party man, Prof. Utuama’s sense of loyalty, steadfastness and dedication is second to none. He is unlike others, who are notorious for dumping their parties at the least opportunity when the weather looks unfavourable and jumps back in when it serves their interest. He is a honourable and illustrious son of Delta State whose drive for excellence, selfless service and exemplary leadership are laudable colorants to his professional, political, administrative and scholarly success.

“We believe that Delta State needs a governor with proven ability to perform and a vision to transform, a governor who will accelerate to new frontiers the ground breaking works of Chief James Ibori and the developmental strides of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. The state needs a governor who has every corner of the State in his heart and can pursue a broad epicenter development dynamics that will resound in all areas of the State. We are convinced that Prof. Utuama fits the bill of the kind of governor Delta State desires at this moment” he said.

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2015: GOVERNOR UDUAGHAN SET FOR SENATE AS HE COLLECTS, SUBMITS EXPRESSION OF INTEREST, NOMINATION FORMS

True to widely held belief, Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan's Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the Delta South Senatorial district were submitted at the Peoples Democratic Party State Headquarters Asaba, Thursday.

Governor Uduaghan, whose forms were bought on October 17 by some of his political associates in G3 at the National Secretariat of the PDP, Wadata House, Abuja, has expressed his deep appreciation to all PDP faithful and Deltans for their outpouring of love and support and promised quality representation at the Red Chambers.

In his words, “History is in the making and I have to heed the calls of my people who have severally urged me to go to the Senate after my tenure as Governor of Delta State. I will not disappoint them. I will, by the grace of God give my senatorial zone quality representation.

I also want to appreciate President Goodluck Jonathan and assure him that I will put all my National and International reach at his disposal.

Meanwhile, the foremost political platform in the senatorial district, the G3, comprising Isoko, Ijaw and Itsekiri, has fully backed Dr. Uduaghan’s senatorial ambition.

Secretary of the group, Hon. Solomon Funkekeme said Governor Uduaghan is the best the district can present at the National Assembly at this critical moment of the nation’s democracy, stressing “his wealth of experience and leadership qualities stand him out.”

Also, the Isoko Advancement Network (IAN) has applauded the decision of Governor Uduaghan to contest the Senatorial seat, saying that the network is confident that the three ethnic groups that make up the zone be well represented at the senate.

Speaking yesterday in Asaba, Chairman of the IAN, Hon. Mike Ogwa said the Isoko nation is fully and solidly in support of Governor Uduaghan’s senatorial aspiration and promised to mobilise the people of the district to back him.
By Sunny Areh

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DELTA LG POLL: IMPORTANT NOTICE

This is to inform the general public particularly deltans that Delta Decides, a registered grassroot socio political pressure group has been accredited as observer and authorized by DSIEC to tweet and blog this Saturday LG election with videos and photographs.

As an accredited observer, we shall be dispatching our men and women with full kits to the following local government areas....
1. Ika South
2. Ika Northeast
3. Isoko South
4. Isoko North
5. Aniocha South
6. Ukwani
7. Ndokwa East
8. Ethiope East
9. Ughelli North
10. Ughelli South.

However, as an active citizen who would want to engage in the process, your involvement will be like that of an election observer, you are not an accredited DSIEC election observer as no kit for will be provided for you. Your duty would be to watch the process, quietly take note and report back to us your observation of the process as a concerned patrotic citizen who wants a better DSIEC in future.

Please note Delta Decides does not have money to give you, this is strictly a patrotic citizenship project as no fund was provided by DSIEC for this project.

If you live within the state and want to volunteer with us, please reach the coordinator, Mr Darlington Okonma on 08033864292 for further directives.

Thank you all.

Signed:
Mr. Egbonimali Shadrack
Chairman, Board of Trustees
Delta Decides

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DELTA 2015: OBUH PICKS GUBER FORM ***Says his journey to the Unity House Asaba is a done deal

The political Wada House of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, hosted a credible politician today as star PDP gubernatorial aspirant, Sir Tony Chuks Obuh procured the party's governorship nomination forms.

Obuh was accompanied by the Director General of Tony Obuh Guber 2015 Project, Chief (Barrister) Fred Majemite and other top Delta State PDP Chieftains.

Speaking to reporters, Obuh declared that his journey to the Unity House, Asaba is a done deal.

"It is now clear to those who have been peddling rumours in the past couple of days that Sir Obuh is at best the political "John The Baptist" who came to announce the coming of the "Real Aspirant" that their source of information is of a truth "barren and politically misleading". One of his campaigners said.

Project 2015 Boss, Chief Majemite while also speaking said that Obuh is not just an aspirant but the best and most qualified among the legion, some of whom are currently sponsoring faceless political groups to publish falsehood, character assassination deliberately targeted at our amiable Governor, His Excellency the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmaunuel Iweta Uduaghan and star governorship aspirant, Sir Tony Obuh.

He said the Governor by virtue of his position as the Leader of PDP in Delta State is a major stakeholder who by PDP and Nigerian constitutional provisions possess the right to participate and discuss issues and events that pertains the survival and progress of PDP and Delta State.

Chief Majemite said that Project 2015 will no longer deal with "Petty Political Issues (PPI)" especially now that Sir Obuh has picked the Governorship Nomination
Forms (GNF).

He appealed to all political pressure groups currently mobilizing for the landslide victory of Sir Obuh both for the party primaries and 2015 polls to intensify efforts in their "neighbour to neighbour" mobilization across the length and breathe of Delta State to ensure that after "Coca-Cola" soft drink, that Obuh's name ranks next in popularity.

However in different parts of the state, the news of Obuh's procurement of nomination forms sparked great excitement and jubilations as people particularly the youths in Asaba were seen chanting the Obuh Victory Train song.

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DELTA 2015: OLEJEME N20M DONATION TEARS SUPPORTERS APART IN ASABA

WHAT was supposed to be a peaceful donation of N20 million to the Delta State branch of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) by one of its governorship aspirants, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, at the party’s secretariat in Asaba turned violent when some supporters demanded for their own share of the money or else they will vandalise the party’s new edifice.

Olejeme, the Chairman of Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), had stormed the secretariat with her horde of supporters to notify the party’s executive members of her intention to seek the party’s ticket for the 2015 governorship election.

The party’s Chairman, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, who sat on the podium and was flanked by the Secretary, Chief Solomon Ogba and other top party leaders, had showered encomiums on the female aspirant for taking time off her busy schedule to come to notify the executive members of her intention.

And overwhelmed by the show of support, Mrs. Olejeme promptly signalled to her aides who brought two medium Ghana-Must-Go and one big leather bags containing wads of money all in N1,000 denomination when she stood up to talk.

She explained that N10 million was to “wage” the traditional breaking of kolanuts” while the remaining N10 million was for the furnishing of the secretariat which was opened by the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, earlier in the day.

She said amidst a thunderous ovation: “I always tell people that the PDP chairman in my state is the most valuable. He already has my vote as he goes to the Senate. I would make the state as beautiful as me if I win.”

There was, however, pandemonium when she left after the donation as the motley crowd of women, party faithful and thugs laid a siege at the premises demanding for their own share of the money, and openly calling the executive members who went upstairs to sort out the largesse names.

"We will shake this secretariat this night. We won’t leave here until we are settled. We will scatter this place. The executive members cannot eat alone and leave us out”, one of the youths threatened.

The fire-spitting youths, who waited anxiously downstairs, defied the threats and intimidation of gun-totting policemen and threatened dire consequences should they be left out of the sharing of the money.

By Hendrix Oliomogbe

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NFF SACKS KESHI, PICKS AMODU

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has sacked Stephen Keshi, coach of the country’s national team, the Super Eagles.

The decision was made Wednesday night by the executive committee of the newly constituted Nigeria Football Federation, at a meeting at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

Keshi, will now be replaced by Shaibu Amodu, a former coach of the team. He will be supported by Salisu Yusuf, Gbenga Ogunbote and Aloysius Agu. Garba Lawal, a former player will serve as the team ‘s coordinator.

Amodu as a caretaker coach, will take charge of the team for the last two matches in the qualifying round for the 2015 African Cup of Nations.

Keshi’s three-year contract with NFF actually expired at the end of the World Cup in Brazil, where he led the team to the second round of the competition, just after winning the African Cup of Nations.

The team have had a run of bad results since then, losing to Sudan and Congo in the Group A qualifiers and drawing with South Africa.

The team rccorded a 3-1 victory over Sudan in Abuja on Wednesday.
But the NFF executives did not seem to be impressed to give Keshi a new contract, more so since Keshi had boasted that he has several African countries waiting to hire him.

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DELTA 2015: ELUMELU GOES SPIRITUAL, DECLARES IN CHURCH ***Donates Cars and Tricycles to deltans

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, has declared his intention to run for governor of Delta State.

The lawmaker, who is the younger brother of renowned banker, Tony Elumelu, made the declaration at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Onicha-Uku in Aniocha-North Local Government Area of Delta State.

A statement on Wednesday said Elumelu seized the opportunity to commit his governorship ambition to God.

Elumelu, who also runs a non-governmental organisation, Ndudi Elumelu Foundation, donated 10 vehicles and 30 tricycles for distribution to people in the three senatorial districts of the state as part of his empowerment programme.

He thanked the foundation members for their steadfastness and promised more incentives for the coordinators to facilitate their task of mobilising the electorate towards the 2015 elections.

He advised them to avoid distractions by remaining focused and mindful of their reactions to arguments from members of the public with regards to who becomes the governor of Delta State.

Earlier, at the dedication sermon, the Assistant Parish Priest of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Onicha-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area, Rev. Fr. Ignatius Chigbo advised Christians to judiciously use their talents and gifts to the Glory of God and the benefit of their generation.

He commended the wisdom of the governorship aspirant for committing the project into the hand of God stressing that all success comes from God, and urged Christians to make mercy and compassion their watchword in ministering to the needs of the less privileged in the society.

Special prayers were subsequently held for Elumelu who seeks to win the Peoples Democratic Party governorship primary.

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DELTA 2015: HON. OCHEI AND THE IPP PROJECT***What happened to our IPP project?

Hon. Victor Ochei

"I heard that that boy Victor Ochei wants to be a governor too.That boy is too ambitious. He collected about N18bn for the IPP project and pocketed it and now he is also saying he wants to be the governor"....Pa EK Clark.

The above statement was made by Chief EK Clark early this year. This statement by an elder statesman was not just a statement but an obvious indictment of then speaker, Rt Hon Victor Ochei whose company (though, he claims to have deinvested from it) Davnotch was alleged to have collected close to N20bn for the IPP project. This project was supposed to serve the interest of all Deltans including Ochei, Pa Clark, Gov Uduaghan, Engr Charles Emetulu the Energy and Power Commissioner and Ochei's 'Yes we believe' team.

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DELTA 2015: GBAGI SPITS FIRE, VOWS TO FIGHT AGAINST PDP ZONING

PEEVED by the rumour that the Delta State 2015 Governorship has been zoned to Delta North, former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi has said he would fight against zoning, insisting that the State Governorship has never been zoned.

Gbagi who spoke when he paid a consultative visit to the State leadership of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Asaba, said the governorship position has always been contested for by aspirants from the three senatorial districts from inception of democracy till date.

He said; “no matter what it takes, I will govern Delta,” insisting that he was the most qualified amongst those vying for the gubernatorial seat in 2015. He held he has watched his hands very clean as a politician, adding that he has more stake than other governorship aspirants in the State.

Gbagi said; “Nobody has ever come to say I have stolen or that I have taken anybody’s wife. I will not take Delta State money,” soliciting the support of the party’s leadership and promised to use his wealth of experience and contact all over the world to transform the State.

Responding on behalf of the State PDP executive, Chief Solomon Ogba assured that that the party had agreed that delegates’ votes would count at the party’s primary and said: “the party has not taken any position on zoning and that is why we are receiving all aspirants. It is a contest and whoever emerges with the highest votes will be the party’s candidate.

“My appeal is that when someone emerges as the party’s candidate, other aspirants should support him. Only one person can be governor at a time and it is only God that can decide that. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan clarified a lot of issues when he said he does not know who will succeed him”

By Festus Ahon

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WE GAVE CLARK 14.5M THROUGH ORUBEBE TO DELIVER OGBORU IN 2011---ANTHONY EZEAGWU

Asaba- The Chairman of the defunct Democratic People’s Party (DPP) and now a top official of the Labor Party (LP) in Delta State chapter, has accused former Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, a former federal commissioner of Information and an Ijaw leader, of accepting an inducement of N14.5 million from Great Ovedje Ogboru, the DPP’s governorship candidate in 2007 and 2011, promising to woo Ijaw voters for Mr. Ogboru in 2011.

Mr. Ezeagwu made the allegation last week in Asaba, the state capital, as he refuted media reports in which Mr. Clark reportedly claimed that he raised N42 million for Mr. Ogboru’s governorship campaign in 2011.

The LP chairman officially insisted that Mr. Ogboru sent N14.5 million to Mr. Clark through former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe. He added that the Ijaw political figure could not deny receiving Mr. Ogboru’s cash.

“Ogboru gave E.K Clark N14.5 million through Orubebe that cannot be denied from any source. That money was given to him to enable him [to] deliver Ogboru in the Ijaw area. He requested for it and it was in turn given to him. But the promise to deliver Ogboru in those areas was not fulfilled. I don’t know why people will just want to make cheap popularity by trying to blackmail people,” said Mr. Ezeagwu.

He said Mr. Clark “was on oath” in Mr. Ogboru’s election petition against Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, but turned around to ask some of the petitioners to embrace Mr. Uduaghan.

Mr. Ezeagwu, who is currently the state chairman of the Labor Party, said he was aware of N42 million was raised and given to a group called DCC, an appendage of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), headed by Mr. Clark. However, he stated emphatically that the money was not at any time given to Mr. Ogboru as Mr. Clark alleged.

“There was a group called DCC, which E.K Clark and his group were using at that time. They came and said they wanted to support us. This money [Edwin Clark] is talking about, Ogboru never touched that money. Neither did I touch it or see it. DCC members shared this money among themselves, [saying] they were going to work for DPP. Ogboru never made away with their money. It was brought and shared among their group and they also wanted to hijack our structure at that time.

“It’s good to put the record straight. We didn’t know whether they used the money for us or not, but they said they were going to work for us. If not for the fact that we are magnanimous, would we even say that the money was used for us when it was not given to us?”

The LP official said it was unfortunate that a man like Mr. Clark would “wake up and begin to make this kind of insinuation to tarnish a young man’s image.”

Two weeks ago, Mr. Clark had alleged that he raised N42 million and gave to Mr. Ogboru for the 2011 governorship election in Delta State, adding that the then DPP candidate ran away with the money.

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LG POLL: DELTA DECIDES, OTHER GROUPS ENLISTED AS ELECTION OBSERVERS

ASABA-The Delta State Independent Electoral Commission has approved 12 Observer groups to participate in the forthcoming Delta State Local Government Council Elections scheduled for Saturday, 25th October, 2014.

The approved organizations are as follows:
LIST OF OBSERVERS FOR DELTA STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL ELECTIONS FOR 25th OCTOBER, 2014.

S/NO. ORGANIZATION
a. CHURCH OF NIGERIA ANGLICAN COMMUNION

b. DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT CARE & EMPOWERMENTL FOUNDATION

c. ASABE SHEHU YAR’ ADUA FOUNDATION

d. CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS AND LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE

e. ENVIRONMENTAL AND RURAL MEDIATION CENTRE

f. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA STUDENTS

g. AFRICAN CENTRE FOR LEADERSHIP STRATEGY & DEVELOPMENT

h. VALUE REBIRTH & EMPOWERMENT

i. NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN SOCIETIES

j. THE PRESIDENCY, OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL ADVISER ON ETHICS

k. DELTA DECIDES CREDIBILITY

l. AFRICAN CHRISTIAN CARE TRUST ORGANIZATION

2. The above listed organizations are to report to the Chairman, Election Observers Committee, DSIEC Headquarters, kilometre 8, Asaba/Onitsha Express Way, Asaba between 14th -17th October, 9,00am to 4pm to obtain information and complete necessary forms.

3. To ensure prompt and efficient processing of ID cards, all the accredited observer groups are enjoined to compile the photographs of their members for deployment in Delta State along with the names and submit to the Chairman of Election Observers Committee, DSIEC Headquarters on or before Friday, 17th October, 2014.

4. Meanwhile, the Commission wishes to stress that any observer group other than those listed above found in Delta State for the said elections shall be reprimanded.

5. Any further equiries should be directed to the Chairman, Election Observers Committee, DSIEC Headquarters, Asaba.

Greg Edeme
Chairman, Election Observers Committee

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