The Chief Economic Adviser to the Delta State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, has denied any rift between the incumbent governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and his political benefactor and former governor of the state, James Ibori. Emu insisted that Okowa still have high respect and regards for Ibori, but noted that the later reign in command of the political space in the state has passed.
According to Emu, who spoke to journalists in his office in Asaba, the state capital, there cannot be two captains commanding at the same time in any boat, adding that leaders reign and allow others their time.
He said, “Our revered Chief James Onanefe Ibori is a man that the state governor has utmost respect for, and our leader Ibori knows it. Even Dr Eweta Uduaghan got a successor that was defeated, and that is a statement of fact.
“Ibori is currently being accused of betrayal in his senatorial district for producing the Senator, House of Representative and State Assembly candidates from one area. Besides Okowa’s successor, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori is a good man.”
The former Commissioner for Economic Planning noted that ‘betrayal’ has become a new song for politicians who failed elections to cushion the impact of their failures. He also took a swipe at Nyesom Wike, saying the current Rivers State Governor lacks the moral standing of accusing anyone of betrayal when he single-handedly picked his successor and bought forms for all aspirants to contest.
He said, “You said you want to be president and the party said this is our direction, which we all headed, and you know the party is supreme. How then did Okowa betray?
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“Nyesom Wike has also been accused of betrayal and now he is singing songs of “Betrayal” on others for his inability to emerge as the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) Presidential candidate at the just concluded primaries.
“To be able to compete strongly for the presidency as a party, a candidate from the northern geopolitical zone will sell better. Our challenge in Nigeria is leadership failure of the current administration not the dearth of qualified candidates from any of the political zones. No geopolitical zone is spared from the maladministration of the APC led government, not even the home state of the president is spared.
“Abubakar Atiku is the most vibrant Vice President Nigeria has ever produced, Atiku is the VP who set up the economic team headed by Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, that re-set our economic fortunes and reduced our debt burdens. Would you have chosen Wike over Atiku looking at their various profiles and antecedents?
On the construction of an International Conference Centre in Asaba, by the state government, he said Asaba has become one of the fastest-growing cities with the attendant infrastructure, relative peace and its central location, adding that an international Conference Centre with an extensive range of modern facilities will offer employment and boost economic activities for Deltans. He said that the conference center will complement the growing status of Asaba airport as envisaged by the integrated development plan of the state government.
According to Emu, “the economic growth of the state is progressive, even though with a bit challenges. The governor has done well in terms of infrastructure, job creation, human capital development and he is focusing on commercialisation, industrialisation, especially in the agricultural sector.”
