By Evidence Ejiyere Erhijakpor
Whilst surface observers are maintaining parochial takes on the political journey so far in Delta State, full baked, indifferent patriots had continuously shown nothing less than commendation for the successful POWER SHIFT FORMULA arrangement by Chief James Onanefe Ibori.
Power shift, as it were, is a pattern of governmental representation that crates in all fours with fairness, equity and inclusiveness.
Towards the wake of year 2005, Chief James Ibori, in his untiring quest to disallow marginalization and hegemony of any sort, had a gentlemanly agreement with Deltan stakeholders that power should rotate among all 3 Senatorial Districts of Delta State. This agreement ushered in Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, a former SSG and constituent of Delta South, as successor to Chief James Ibori.
The major opposition then, and possibly till date, wasn't critical of the zoning formula; and did not think it wise to oppose intelligently by respecting where power was shifted to in their choice of gubernatorial candidate. Beautifully, when Delta North, South and the Partisan Sects of Delta Central aligned for the PDP, victory was delivered to Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan.
Continuity for the zoning formula became more concrete and certain when Dr Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa won under the PDP in 2015. As we draw nearer to 2019, all hands are on deck again for victory.
The question just now is: to whom do we owe this detribalized system of balance in State administration? Chief James Ibori.
The major problems ailing the people of Delta State were resolved when Chief James Ibori became Governor of the State. There was absolute tribalism, favouritism and tribal war, especially in the Oil rich City, Warri. Tribalism and separatist agenda were fanning wider like wild harmattan fire. Ibori was able to quell these societal ills and menaces through inclusive government and human capacity engagement. His list of appointment favoured Deltans, notwithstanding their tribal affiliation. Young graduates and job seekers were massively employed into the state civil service. Militants in the creeks were gainfully empowered so that the once dreaded Warri City became off national news bulletins for good. There was robust increment of salaries in swift compliance to Federal Government Policy Trust. Chief James Ibori's push for resource control received both national and international attention. That struggle is not a loose-loose yet. Nigeria will ripe into an age where such natural cause will effect sway without blood shed, and or political witch hunt.
Dr Eweta Emmanuel Uduaghan from Delta South, was a very witty administrator. He noticed early enough that the purpose of continuity is for completion. There were completion of projects in his first tenure. His second tenure witnessed construction of roads, hospitals, schools and bridges. The empowerment and employment drive was enlarged in different forms. There was SEEFOR, Pipeline surveillance, Edumartial and civil service job creation strategies. One of such Ministries that employed massively under Uduaghan was the Transport commission, headed by Distinguished Hon Ben Roland Igbakpa. Delta State witnessed more convenient and affordable means of transportation.
Dr Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa has always been a fine gentleman and grassroots politician. He rose from the lowest ebbs to the upper echelon. And by the time he was through at the Senate and ready to succeed Uduaghan, he had already learned the ropes so well that launching Delta State ahead of other states with his Smart Agenda couldn't be a difficult task. He continues with the detribalized system in both appointments and sharing formula. Just recently, he announced a giant proposal to construct 3 Modula Refineries in all Senatorial Districts of Delta State. That's not a mean feat. It's a first of its kind in Nigeria.
No other state in Nigeria succeeded like the Ibori's Delta in an attempt to make sure all Senatorial Districts test power.
The administrative signature of PDP in Delta State is commendable and indelible. Chief James Ibori and his successors have performed creditably. Let's join hands together to perfect what is good for Delta State.
Vote Okowa again
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