POLITICS
Ebonyi 2023: PDP Must be Guided by Rotational Principle on Governorship -Ex-Minister
Engineer Fidelis Nwankwo is Ebonyi State Governorship hopeful on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is the former Minister of State for Health and National Commissioner, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as well as former chairman of Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. In this interview with DAILY ASSET, he said the only way to avert crisis and killings in the 2023 gubernatorial elections in the state was for the PDP to implement the principle of rotation of governorship position to Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone, where it first started. He spoke with Godwin Okeh.
There have been clashes of interest between the members of PDP over the rotation of governorship position in 2023 election, what’s your take on this?
Power rotation in Ebonyi is an issue that has been recurring but let me talk as it concerns my party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Well, some people may argue that rotation of governorship position is not a written rule and not enshrined in the laws of the party. But if you observe carefully, since 1999 we started it, people from other senatorial zones contested, eventually the North Senatorial Zone won, in the person of Dr. Sam Egwu. And after Sam Egwu, no Northerner contested in 2007 in the primaries of PDP. Ebonyi Central Senatorial Zone contested because it was the party’s arrangements that governor should go to the central zone. And so, most people from the south senatorial zone were persuaded to drop their ambition. I can still remember that the contest was between the people of the central zone.
Some of the contestants then included: Chief Martin Elechi, Mr. Julius Ali Ucha who later stepped down for Elechi and they are all from Central Zone. Ambassador Franklin Ogbuewu later ran with Francis Okpokodo even without a written agreement. And in 2015, it was a big issue to the point that another party has to fill a candidate from the North in the person of Edward Nkwoagu.
The South Senatorial Zone deservedly in accordance with the understanding of the zoning formula, won the 2015 election. So, by now the members of PDP who are sincere should know that the issues of rotation of governorship position need to have long ago been settled. And by that arrangement, a sequence has been established and that sequence has to be maintained. Nobody has argued to the contrary with good reasons or with logic.No lesser a person than the first civilian governor of this state, Sam Egwu has made a public statement severally that the 2023 governorship should go to the Ebonyi North senatorial zone where it all started. He (Egwu) was supported by the former governor Martin Elechi and the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Ebonyi state chapter, Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali said the same thing that for the peace of the state to be maintained, power should go to the North senatorial zone.
Up till today, the postulation of the former governor Sam Egwu has not been challenged by any logic, by any member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and so, I think it’s a settled issue.
The leaders had said that, for the peace and unity of the state to be maintained, Ebonyi North should be allowed to produce the next governor of the state. The statement of this notable former governor has not been challenged by any person.
There is allegation that Egwu is championing for power to go to the North to enable him return to the Senate for the third time? Do you think it’s true?
For me, that assertion looks like a blackmail. Challenge the logic of what he is saying, if you disagree with him. It is straight forward and logical that this power rotation started from the North senatorial zone. The North senatorial zone has waited for sixteen (16) years. The north made a sacrifice in 2015 general election. The sitting governor picked a supposed successor in the person of Edward Nkwoagu from the North, Izzi clan in particular to run but Izzi people resisted it.
And at the end of the day, PDP who picked their candidate from the south, in the person of David Umahi won the election. PDP won in all the three (3) local government areas of Izzi clan. What demonstration of sincerity, loyality and faithfulness to the Party is more than that.
And so, what is the relationship between going to the Senate and equity as it concerns the rotation of governorship between the three senatorial zones of the state. Indeed, it is a cheap blackmail. Let them bring up their argument to challenge what he had said, on rotation of power to the North senatorial zone in 2023. If they have a superior argument, they should come up with it but the issue is that they cannot do so.
Why do the Central Senatorial Zone claim that it is its turn to produce the next governor, saying that the Ezza Clan is the eldest clan and supposed to produce the next governor in 2023. What is your take on this?
I’m surprised that an exco member of PDP would get himself involved in where the next governor of the state will come from. I mean that’s not right. I’m not sure that any member of the state Exco of PDP would take such position. That’s not a right thing to do. However, if the party wants to take a position, it has to be state executives of the party because it is a state position and not zonal, guided by the rules of the party.
Are you worried that many other political gladiators from other senatorial zones are declaring interest to run for governorship, and thereby jeopardizing the chances of the Northern Zone?
Your question is if I’m worried about the development? No I’m not worried, even though I’m involved. I have an ambition and so, I’m consulting to run for a position of governorship. And I will run, based on merit. I believe that I have all the credentials required, both the stipulations of the constitution and the capability to do the job. So, I’m not worried about anybody from any other place contesting for the governorship.
But for orderliness, especially when we are in opposition, I think there is a need for harmonization through the same aspect of zoning, especially on the grounds that many people have made sacrifices through zoning to ensure that the party remains one.
What makes you different from other governorship aspirants?
People say I’m a good person. Although no one rates himself, but in this case, it may be because some of them are close to me or that they benefited one thing or the other from me. Modesty will not allow me to say much about this, you people are in the better position to access me and see why people preferred me than others.
Do you think, you can make a good governor, if given the chance?
If you look at the jobs I have done, especially when I was a minister, National Commissioner of INEC, local government chairman, board member in various places, and other positions I held, you will see that I have the capacity to do better. There is no reason for me, not to be a good governor, if I have done those ones well.
How can I not be a good governor, now I have grown in experience. Naturally, one learns from what he has done in the past and improve. I have been privileged to handle other positions of national interest, just as I mentioned earlier, I think, I have learnt a lot from those positions. I can’t find myself in a strange terrain if Iam governing the state.
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said Nigeria’s voter register has risen to more than 103 million ahead of the 2027 general elections.
INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while speaking at a strategic workshop for media executives.
The workshop, themed “Strengthening Democracy Through Partnership Among Editors, Civil Society and Electoral Institutions,” was organised by INEC in collaboration with Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
Amupitan said more than 10.6 million Nigerians took part in the commission’s three-phase Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
He said INEC had completed the public display of the preliminary register, giving citizens an opportunity to raise claims and objections.
The commission, he added, had also concluded the final cleanup of the voter register using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS).
Amupitan announced that nationwide collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) would begin on October 9.
He urged Nigerians who registered during the exercise to collect their PVCs and prepare to participate in the 2027 elections.
The INEC chairman also said the commission would continue to improve the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) to strengthen the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.
“The ultimate arbiter of electoral integrity is public trust,” Amupitan said.
He called for stronger cooperation among INEC, media organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders ahead of the elections.
According to him, INEC is prepared to listen to concerns raised by editors, address operational challenges and provide timely information to prevent misinformation from filling communication gaps.
Amupitan said the commission would also give editors direct access to verify field incidents, logistical developments and security reports in real time.
He proposed a sustained editorial feedback mechanism between INEC and the NGE to review the commission’s operational progress and address emerging challenges throughout the 2027 election cycle.
The chairman said closer engagement with the media was important to ensuring that voters receive accurate information, especially during periods of heightened public interest in electoral activities.
Also, DAI Team Leader, Rudolf Elbling, said credible elections depended not only on effective electoral administration but also on professional, ethical and fact-based journalism.
Elbling identified electoral integrity, election technology, the safety of journalists and voters, and information disorder as some of the key challenges facing the media ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said journalists had a critical role in providing voters with accurate information while holding electoral institutions and other stakeholders accountable.
The workshop brought together electoral officials, editors, civil society representatives and other stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and improve public communication ahead of the 2027 general elections.
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
Former President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has commended the quality, experience and capacity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates contesting the 2027 elections in the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.
Jonathan made the remarks at his residence in Yenagoa when he received a high-powered delegation led by the former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd.
), the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku and the Bayelsa State APC Chairman, Rt. Hon. Warman Weri Ogoriba, PhD.The delegation visited the former President to formally present the APC candidates to him as a mark of respect and honour, particularly as a former President of Nigeria and a prominent leader from the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.
Presenting the candidates, Rear Admiral Jonah appealed to Jonathan to extend his goodwill and support to them, describing the candidates as individuals with the requisite capacity, experience and character to provide effective representation if elected.
He expressed confidence that they would serve the interests of their constituents and contribute meaningfully to the development of the district and the state.
The candidates presented included HRH. Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli for the Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Hon. Jonathan Robinson Obuebite, PhD, for the Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency and Barr. Jude Amidator Rex-Ogbuku for the Ogbia Federal Constituency.
Also presented were the APC candidates for the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, including Hon. Oteigbanyo George Braah for Nembe Constituency 1, Hon. Edward Brigidi Irigha for Nembe Constituency 2, Hon. Alalibo West for Nembe Constituency 3, Hon. Daniel Charles for Brass Constituency 1, Hon. Timi Agala for Brass Constituency 2 and Rt. Hon. Abraham Ngobere for Brass Constituency 3.
Others were Hon. High Chief Ebiango Okoba Egain for Ogbia Constituency 1, Hon. Godknows Obein for Ogbia Constituency 2 and Hon. Chief Gabriel Michael Ogbara for Ogbia Constituency 3.
Responding to the presentation, Jonathan expressed his appreciation for the quality of the candidates, noting that virtually all of them were people who, in his assessment, could be trusted in terms of capacity, performance and experience.
He gave the candidates his blessings and encouraged them to remain committed to serving their people if elected to office.
The former President urged the candidates to see politics as a means of improving society and attracting positive development to their respective constituencies.
He also admonished them and other stakeholders to sustain peace, unity and oneness in Bayelsa State, which he said remained important to the state’s continued development.
The visit brought together APC leaders, candidates, traditional leaders, youth representatives, and other stakeholders from across the Brass, Nembe, and Ogbia Local Government Areas as part of ongoing consultations and engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
From Francis Sadhere, Delta
The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated two political support groups in Okpe Local Government Area to mobilise grassroots support for President Bola Tinubu and Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The groups, Concern Otirhue Movement for Sheriff and Tinubu, and Otirhue Progressive Movement for Sheriff and Tinubu, were inaugurated at a ceremony held in Mereje, Okpe LGA.
The groups were founded by the Chairman of the Delta State Local Government Service Commission, Hon.
Joseph Otirhue.Speaking at the event, Otirhue said the initiative was aimed at strengthening the party’s grassroots structures and mobilising support for Tinubu, Oborevwori and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
He said the groups would mobilise voters for APC candidates contesting seats in the State and National Assemblies, with the ultimate objective of securing victory for the party at all levels.
Otirhue urged members to remain loyal and committed to the APC, while intensifying their engagement with residents and communities across Okpe.
Inaugurating the groups, the Delta APC Chairman, Chief Solomon Arenyeka, charged members to work diligently for the success of the party.
Arenyeka urged them to pursue the APC’s “five-over-five” objective by mobilising support for all the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections.
He also tasked the groups with taking the party’s message to the grassroots and maintaining active structures across the various communities in the local government area.
Other party leaders at the event called for unity and sustained grassroots mobilisation, stressing that continuous engagement with voters would be crucial to the APC’s performance in the 2027 elections.
The event also featured the empowerment of more than 250 beneficiaries by Otirhue, which he described as the fifth phase of his empowerment programme.
According to him, the programme was designed to provide support to party members and other beneficiaries, adding that those who were not included in the latest phase would be considered in subsequent editions.
Among dignitaries at the ceremony were former Minister of Culture and Information, Okakuro Prof. Sam Oyovbaire; Chief Robert Onome; member representing Okpe State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Okakuro James Augoye; and Chairman of Okpe Local Government Council, Okakuro Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa.
Others included former Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Hope Eghagha; Austin Ayemidejor; APC State Secretary, Okakuro Efe Uko; Chairman of the Delta State Civil Service Commission, Chief Rose Amioku; APC State Organising Secretary, Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor; as well as other party leaders and stakeholders.
The inauguration marked another step in the APC’s grassroots mobilisation efforts in Okpe, with members of the two groups pledging to strengthen their structures and mobilise support for Tinubu, Oborevwori and other APC candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
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