There is a brewing crisis between Delta State’s Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, over control of party structure and the shape of the incoming cabinet, The Nation has learnt. Also, it was gathered that influential party leaders and various interest groups within the fold are mounting pressure on the incumbent governor in a bid to satisfy all interests.
Although Governor Oborevwori has downplayed insinuations that his administration was being teleguided by an overbearing predecessor, The Nation learnt that a frosty relationship between him and the governor may be real. At a recent event, Governor Oborevwori denied that his administration was under any pressure from external forces. He went on to explain to the audience the composition of his cabinet and why it is taking him so long to release the list of nominees.
Oborevwori, who spoke at a Thanksgiving Service in honour of his deputy, Chief Monday Onyeme, at the St. John’s Anglican Church, Ibabu, Ndokwa West Local Government Area said: “The appointments are coming. It will be a mixture of the young, the average and the old. God is leading us; nobody is directing this administration. We will do the right thing for our people at the right time.”
Nevertheless, it was gathered that it was the impasse between both leaders that stalled the process of forming the new state executive council. Governor Oborevwori has found himself in a difficult situation. Some of his major backers, particularly within his Delta Central Senatorial District are eager to stamp their authority on the new government, but the governor is still facing a bitter legal challenge to his governorship seat at the tribunal, so he is obliged to continue to show respect to the immediate past governor and do his bidding.
But, the iron grip of Dr Okowa on party structures at all levels of government, including the legislature, some political analysts say, is not helping matters. Against this background, the petition against Oborevwori at the Delta State Election Petitions Tribunal puts him in a disadvantageous position and he must tread on eggshells to avoid any confrontation with his predecessor.
To further exacerbate the situation, stakeholders within the Anioma ethnic group from Delta North Senatorial District where ex-Gov Okowa hails, are making demands for appointments into key public offices to compensate the zone for voting massively for Oborevwori during the March 18 governorship poll. The Nation gathered that Dr Okowa is insisting on having a 40 per cent share of members in the new cabinet; a move objected to by other stakeholders in the party.
A source, who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, said Dr Okowa is insisting on his political allies filling key positions in the ministries of finance, works, education and health. Governor Oborevwori is reportedly miffed at the state of affairs, and has, in desperation, given a free hand to permanent secretaries to run the government while the bickering lasts.
Ex-Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan is said to be scheming for a position in the new cabinet for his daughter, following her failure to secure the ticket of the party during the primary to represent Warri North Constituency in the state legislature. Having mended fences with Dr Okowa and the larger Delta PDP family, ex-Governor Uduaghan wants to be compensated with a commissionership role for his daughter, Orode.
The Nation gathered that the fate of the former chairman of the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Michael Diden, is hanging on the balance with political heavyweights jostling for patronage. Our correspondent gathered that he is pushing to have his associates on the list for consideration. Diden is an ally to both ex-Gov Okowa and Gov Oborevwori. He played a prominent role in the successes recorded by the PDP in the last governorship election, especially in Delta South Senatorial District.
The source said: “The reason behind the delay in announcing a new cabinet stems from a disagreement between Governor Oborevwori and the immediate past governor. Okowa is insisting on having a bigger share of members in the new cabinet because he played a major role in making Oborevwori governor of the state. But other PDP leaders are uncomfortable with Okowa’s hard stance given that the governor conceded the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to him.”
The Nation gathered that Gov Oborevwori is further irked by the huge number of Okowa loyalists in key positions, which has left him unable to dispense patronage to his allies. A PDP source who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “There is a low-intensity war going on between Okowa and Oborevwori over his (Okowa’s) overbearing posture. How do you explain the key appointments Okowa made in the twilight of his administration? He has virtually emasculated the new governor by planting his men everywhere. Within weeks of his leaving office, Okowa inaugurated the boards of the Economic Free Trade Zone( EFTZ) in Kwale and Koko, the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), and appointed the Auditor General (State) and permanent secretaries.
“These actions were uncalled for. He should have deferred action on these appointments and allowed Oborevwori to make the appointments. How does he compensate those who worked for his success at the polls? I am afraid Oborevwori is a lame duck governor as Okowa is the de facto governor.”
Despite singling out the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue ( DBIR) and Civil Service Commission from a recent dissolution spree, Governor Oborevwori has gone ahead to replace the heads of such boards. The recent resignation of Chief Nkem Okwuofu, a.k.a “Mother of Government”, and a staunch ally of ex-Gov Okowa, is instructive. She resigned her appointment as the Chairman of the Delta State Civil Service Commission.
The Secretary to the Delta State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu in a terse statement said: “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly Deltans, that the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff F.0 Oborevwori has approved the voluntary resignation of the appointment of the Chairman, Civil Service Commission, Dame Patience Okwuofu with immediate effect.
“His Excellency wishes to express his gratitude to Dame Patience Okwuofu for her contributions towards the growth of the civil service in the state which has brought about a series of reforms that have positively transformed the state civil service. The governor, therefore, uses this medium to thank her for her services to the state and to wish her well in her future endeavours.”
Although no reason was offered for her resignation, some political analysts believe a subtle pushback from Gov Oborevwori may be at play in the resignation of such a key Okowa loyalist.
