WHO THE CAP FITS?

By Comr  Futughe Lucky

The quest for successors in the leadership structure of the country have started in earnest. Delta State as an integral part of the Nation is not an exception. This bizarre behavior of political gladiators is rather strange due to the timing. According to political pondits, two years is period of governance while the balance two is for campaigns. However, in Nigerian politics, anything can happen.

Delta State has enjoyed a relatively peaceful rotation of juicy political offices in the state since the return of democracy in 1999. Delta Central was the first to occupy the Dennis Osadebe House despite the shared support Chief James Ibori enjoyed from his senatorial district dues to the base of his rival Chief Kraga. The PDP Delta Central candidate witnessed massive electoral support from both Delta South and North respectively.

The emergence of Chief Ibori  witnessed the emergence of new political order as unknown personalities began to wild so much power in their nitch and State. These personalities cut across the three senatorial district. This brought about 'the Ibori Structure' which was more or less the ruling class in the state. It was widely believed that they were the decision makers because their endorsement is as good as winning an election even before the Deal-Day. During this period, the three senatorial district enjoyed alot of patronage from the administration of Chief James Ibori. His liberal disposition gave birth to many influential politicians in Delta State and Nigeria in general.

At the twilight of the Ibori administration, the quest for a successor arose with either Delta South or North in the radar to produce the candidate for the PDP. This was not a surprise because both senatorial district have played pertinent roles in the victory of the outgoing administration. Moreso, Chief James Ibori was an Urhobo man from Delta Central , hence it is only normal for a different tribe in other senatorial district to produce the next Governor.

The search for the Chief Security Officer of the State was hot and keenly contested by PDP faithfuls across the three senatorial districts. While party primaries were an avenue to test the popularity of party aspirants, onlookers were expecting the outgoing senatorial district to support aspirants from the remaining two districts. However, the reverse was the case as all eligible aspirants contested the primaries with Dr Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan emerging as the standard flag bearer of the People's Democratic Party(PDP). The emergence of Dr Uduaghan as the Executive Governor of Delta State with his three point agenda, was seen as a detribalised Deltan by the equitable distribution of resources across the state.

Prior to the exit of Dr Uduaghan's administration, the usual issue of successor arose once again with aspirants from all the senatorial districts in the primaries arena to battle for the number one seat of the state. The period was characterised by intrigues and power play to install the next Governor of Delta State. Despite all the drama that shapened the primaries, Sen (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa emerged as candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in a race that was tightly contested. The resounding victory of Sen(Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa at the polls was an indication that Deltans truly embraced the principles of rotation in the state. The SMART Governor who is building a stronger Delta State is in the early stage of his second tenure and the clamour to ensure the same principles that guaranteed the emergence of three Governors in Delta State from the different senatorial districts were maintained.

History has proven that ethnic bigots or extremists hardly find their way to the seat of power because their extreme ideologies were usually  recipes for anarchy.

 In my opinion, the 2023 election will be largely driven by the track records of the candidates in terms of ethnic sentiments and how it has influence their behavior towards other tribes. The 2023 electioneering year is for the moderates/liberals and not the hardliners in the State.  It is very lucid and explicitly clear that,  one senatorial district cannot confidently win the state without the support of the remaining two. Moreso, the heterogeneous nature of all the senatorial districts is something to watch out. While those clamouring for Urhobo turn to take a short at the prestigious office once again, it is safer to say it is the turn of Delta Central because of the earlier reason.

Furthermore, it is important to recall that aspirants from all the senatorial districts have always tested their popularity at the party primaries with the results for all to reference. This is because, there is no law in Nigeria preventing individuals from contesting party primaries. Therefore, nobody or group of individuals should blackmail other senatorial districts from putting out their best legs for either the primaries or election.

Finally, politics is all about negotiations and counter negotiation to reassure other zones of fair treatment when in office. Consequently, in 2023 the cap will fit the Liberals/Moderates candidate in the state.