2023: Ayu Wades into Ibori, Gov Okowa Power Tussle

Senator Iyorchia Ayu, National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who visited Delta State last weekend, gave a caveat about the strategic maneuvering by two opposing power blocs in the state to call the shots in the party.

His words: “Let me counsel that it is normal to have family disagreements within a political party, but whatever the disagreements we may have, let us ensure that it remains a family disagreement. Nothing whatsoever should be done to damage the unity of purpose which has brought about this great development and our winning streak.”

As the party’s national chairman, Ayu is said to be well-versed in the nitty-gritty of who chooses the party’s 2023 governorship standard-bearer, having met with the governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, aka Ekwueme gburugburu, and previous governor, Chief James Ibori, aka Odidigboribo.

Regardless of his advice, it is unlikely that Okowa will yield to Ibori in selecting his successor.

Opinions differ on the issue that is not exclusively a PDP affair as the masses and members of other political parties are deeply interested in how the governing party handles the affair given its dominant role in the ruler ship of the state since 1999.

Ibori has sacrificed for PDP — Unagha, Urhobo leader

An ex-PDP stalwart, now an All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain and Secretary, Urhobo Leaders of Thought, Alhaji Mumakai Unagha, said: “Let me not believe the rumor making wave that Ibori and Okowa are at loggerheads. If it is true, it will be too bad, a bad signal to PDP in the state.”

“In any case, Okowa does not have any reason to do so, because Ibori has made so much sacrifice for the party while his follower, Okowa, is a beneficiary of Chief Ibori’s administration. If Chief Ibori seeks for favor to produce the governor, to me that is not too much for Okowa, except the governor wants PDP to loose Delta state.”

“Ibori’s wealth is today being seized not for the offence he committed alone, but by all his aides. The earlier Chief Ibori and Senator Okowa put their house in order, the better for the party, otherwise, APC will stroll into Government House, Asaba, undisturbed in 2023,” the Urhobo leader foreshadowed.

Odidigborigbo deserves respect —Keme, Ogbe-Ijaw leader

Chief Monday Keme, an Ogbe-Ijoh leader and supporter of Ibori favorite governorship aspirant, Olorogun David Edevbie, asserted: “I know certainly that Chief Ibori and Senator Okowa will meet to resolve the choice of governorship candidate for Delta state very close to the primaries and Sheriff Oborevwori’s camp is aware that the outcome certainly will not favor them, hence the media endorsement.”

Source: vanguardngr.com