A political earthquake has hit Delta State as the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, mainstream wing, Delta Unity Group, DUG, today declared for the All Progressives Congress, APC, with a commitment to vote all candidates of the party in the 2023 general elections.
The DUG is renowned as the strategic and “intellectual “ arm of the Delta PDP.
Vanguard reported that the group previously coalesced around Olorogun David Edevbie, former Delta Governor, Chief James Ibori’s choice for Delta state governor; a choice that was rebuffed by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in favour of controversial and unpopular House Speaker, Sheriff Oborevwori.
At a Special Declaration Rally, Sunday, January 22, at the St George’s College, Obinomba, thousands of DUG members donning their signature red shirts and hats declared formally for the APC.
They were led by its chairman, three-time member of the House of Representatives, Daniel Reyenieju; ex-house speakers, Chief Monday Igbuya and Olisa Imegwu, among others,
Speaking, Reyenieju said the DUG was founded and created to support the best candidate of the PDP, but when the best could not be presented, “we went round the state for a man who could do the modernization programme of David Edevbie.
“And (we) found that capacity in the person of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. Galvanizing that find outside would be meaningless, hence we decided to join the APC.
We will show PDP pepper. We can’t continue like this, we can’t have a President that will sell all our assets, we can’t have a vice president that will continue to borrow money with nothing to show.
“All the money they borrowed and kept away will turn to fertilizers in their farms.”
Former House Speaker, Igbuya, recalled that when Governor Okowa came on board with him as Speaker, “he complained that the debt burden incurred by former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan was so heavy.
“He cut all our entitlements; that there was no money. Now the debt he has incurred in eight years will be difficult to pay back in a life time.”
Also speaking, Chief Evans Iwurie, a prominent DUG leader and former Delta Assembly member, said Governor Okowa, by his incompetence, has become an embarrassment to Delta State, Nigeria and the medical profession, assuring that with Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as governor, Delta State will regain its pride again.
An obviously elated Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy Senate President and Delta APC Governorship candidate, said he was in awe, but not surprised by the development.
