PRESIDENT JONATHAN STORMS ASABA AS OKOWA ENDS 21-DAY GOVERNORSHIP RALLY.

BY PATRICK OGBOGU

Asaba, Delta State Capital City South-South Nigeria, was agog with political activities Wednesday February 4,2015 as President Goodluck Jonathan accompanied by his wife Dame Patience Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo with the PDP Presidential train stormed Asaba in continuation of the president's nationwide campaign for his re-election bid for February 14,2015 general elections.

The Presidential Campaign team which included President Jonathan and First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, Vice President Sambo , National Chairman of the PDP Adamu Mu'azu, governors, national and state legislators, ministers, captains of industry and other top leaders of the party coincided with the grand finale of Delta PDP Governorship Campaign rally for Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and his running mate Barr Kingsley Otuaro.

 Delta State government had declared Wednesday 4 a public holiday, while the popular Ogbeogonogo modern market Asaba, was shut down to enable the citizens to welcome the Nigeria President Jonathan to Asaba.

Suffice it to say that the PDP Presidential/ Governorship Grand Finale rally that took place at the Cenotaph Asaba was celebrated amidst pomp and pageantry.

Traffic was disrupted as major roads in the capital city namely Nnebisi Roads, Inter Bau, Summit, Bishop Nwosu, Cabinet office, Delta Broadcasting Service,the Cenotaph junction and the adjoining streets were cordon off by red eyes looking military and mobile police men in ensuring the security of the venue of the event. People had to pack their vehicles in a distance, some of them came on convoy and had to walk some distance to reach the venue.

The Cenotaph venue of the rally was given a new look in readiness of the rally as the floor of the arena was tarred with its fence extended and decorated with PDP banners, while President Jonathan and Senator Okowa's posters adorned every part of the venue; just as all billboards of those that lost in the last governorship, national and state assemblies primaries were removed.
The occasion was much to behold.

At about 10 am, a sea of heads had overtaken the entire Cenotaph as every part of the place was jam packed with men and women and the youths who waited patiently to see the president and the incoming governor of Delta State.

Major political pressure groups such as Goodluck Support Group, Delta Coalition for Okowa, Oshimili South for Onwusanya, Asaba for Okowa, Angela Nwaka Vanguard and the organised labour were adequately represented.

Women groups abound everywhere. Traditional chiefs and opinion leaders were also there to give blessing to the event.

Several cultural dancing groups from various local government areas of the state were on hand to entertain the audience and give it a beautiful cultural background and outlook, while some Nollywood actors and actresses and array of popular musicians including Daddy Showkey added glamour to the occasion.

Moreover, the pressure groups danced energetically round the arena clutching large posters of Jonathan and Okowa and other PDP candidates.

The occasion was reminiscent of the typical Ezeugbo cultural festival celebrated by the Asaba people and the popular Igwee festival of the Owa people as many visitors and participants including the Ward 6 Oshimili South Chairman Prince Paul Ofulue aka Panco tete did not mince words to say that they had never seen such a large political rally in the political history of Asaba.

Food and mineral vendors had a field day as they made brisk business and recorded huge sales.

Two giant balloon with the image and inscription of President Jonathan and Senator Okowa hovered round the sky and it became the cynosure of all eyes and captioned the imagination of onlookers.

The presence of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly Rt Hon Peter Onwusanya and his wife charged the occasion the more as shouts of 'Uncle Pee!' by the enthusiastic crowd filled the air.

The PDP Governorship candidate in Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa soon alighted from his convoy and walked into the waiting hands of top party leaders and was led to the podium amidst shouts of 'Ekwueme!' from the ever surging crowds. They sang in praise of Senator Okowa who smiled and displayed a sign of victory to the crowd.

The appearance of President Goodluck Jonathan and his presidential campaign team almost shook the very foundation of the Cenotaph as the crowd went into jubilation on sighting the president and waved flags to welcome him and his wife, the vice and others; President Jonathan kept smiling and waved to the crowd, affirming his commitment to the transformation of all sectors of the nations economy.

He said if voted into power he will work with Okowa to develop the youths through skill training and acquisition that will guarantee them employment and a secured future, adding that the Federal Maritime University and the proposed 16 Billion Delta Gas City in Ogidigben, Warri South West were two major projects meant to provide jobs and develop the state.

Dr Jonathan who punctuated his speech with broken English commended Deltans for producing great men and women who had done the nation proud, appealing to Deltans to vote the PDP in all the elections.

In his welcome address, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan assured the president of total support in winning second term in office, noting that the support was a reward for the president's unwavering support for the development of Delta State.

Dr Okowa and other people who spoke lauded Jonathan for his achievements.
President Jonathan later commissioned the new Government House, Asaba to the admiration of all.

OKOWAs ADMIN TO CONSOLIDATE ON IBORI & UDUAGHAN ACHIEVEMENTS......DELTA SPEAKER

BY PATRICK OGBOGU

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Peter Onwusanya has assured that the expected Okowa's PDP led administration of the state would consolidate on the achievements recorded by the Ibori and outgoing Uduaghan's administration in improving job creation, political empowerment and improvement of the social lives of the people, particularly the youths and women.

The speaker who was speaking Friday at Asaba during the flag off of the Ward to Ward electioneering campaign of the Oshimili South Campaign Committee aimed at returning the Speaker to the House and to drum support for all candidates of the party, equally promised to give the people more quality and effective representation by touching more lives if given a second mandate.

While appealing to the people of Oshimili South to vote massively for the PDP and to carry the campaign to their neighbour, Hon Onwusanya said, " it will be rewarding for Anioma people and Deltans in general to vote enmasse for all candidates of the PDP from the President, Governorship down to the House of Assembly because the expected Okowa administration of the state will continue to give priority attention to the empowerment of the youth and women".

The Oshimili South Campaign rally was well attended by PDP faithful and top leaders of the party in the state including the Delta North Senatorial and House of Representative candidates Barrister Peter Nwaoboshi and Hon Onyeamaechi Mrakpo respectively, while various dancing groups were on ground to treat the people with their melodious tunes.

The rally continues with the visit to other Wards in Oshimili South.

PDP Oshimili South Campaign Goes Grassroot: Knocks & Kudos

*A vote for PDP, is vote for Women & Youth Empowerment... Onwusanya
*Ochei Has Erred Scripturally...Maduemezia
*Onwusanya will preach the Gospel...Hon Mrakpo
*PDP, you are fraudsters, don't respect elders...Obi Odiaka
*Nwaoboshi failed grassroot popularity test

Okonta Emeka Okelum

As the Oshimili South LGA Chapter of the People's Democratic Party commenced her grassroot ward to ward campaigns, the exercise had registered tons of Kudos, applauds & knocks as shades of opinions differs.

The campaign witnessed quite a good turn out of women, elders and youth groups in active participation.

An opportunity, the party's candidates for the Senate, House of Representative and State House of Assembly seized to go grassroot with their campaigns.

The well planned and packaged event thrilled party faithfuls with pro-party speeches, members' response and side insinuation from Deltans, though the exercise for want of time never gave grassroot people the chance to share deep seated vibrations.

Asaba Post News Wire intelligently sampled grassroot opinions at the event centers, though unanimously.

The Council area party chairman, Evang. Ebielim Maduemezia in his speech strongly emphasized the party's victory at all levels of the forth coming general election.

Though silent about threats from the Nation's chief opposition political party, the APC, the party chieftain was gravely particular about the candidature of Rt Hon Victor Ochei.

According to Evang Maduemezia, Rt Hon Ochei had pledged to the party to support who ever emerged as the party's guber flag bearer.

Ochie's sudden political switch and turn around to contest the senate with Barr Peter Nwaoboshi is scripturally an error, Ochie has rebelled against the party that has given him so much, Isaiah chapter 120 holds his judgement for him, Engv Maduemezia pointed out.

Rt Hon Peter Onwusanya in his address pleaded with the people to go collect their Permanent Voters Card(PVC) and massively vote for the PDP.

A vote for PDP is a vote for an enhanced implementation of grassroot driven women and youth development initiatives.

The party has done well in the past in this council area, your vote for the PDP will add value, increase opportunities and attract more pro-poor amenities and infrastructures, Rt Hon Onwusanya stressed.

Hon Onyemaechi Mrakpor, PDP's candidate for the House of Representatives, in her views praised the sterling qualities of Rt Hon Peter Onwusanya, whose love for his people, she remarked his special.

For your love and commitment to humanity, I am sure soon you will preach for God like I do today, Hon Mrakpor told Rt Hon Onwusanya.

As her in road into the hearts of Asaba voters, Hon Mrakpor laid claims to Asaba daughtership.
Why can't I be an Asaba daughter, a land that has blessed me with a son, daughter and recently wonderful set of triplets, a great legislative career and great family, what else remains to be called a worthy daughter of the land, Hon Mrakpor argues.

At the ward seven rally ground, a response from a traditional red cap chief, Obi Odiaka, almost shattered the arranged plan of engagement.

In an outburst of past political injustice the red cap chief endured from past PDP chairman, who he claimed he helped in his campaigns but today is rubbished remains a political cancer widening everyday.

In his words, he lamented thus, you PDP are fraudsters, you do not have respect for elders.
Imagine, how can after all I did for you at campaigns, even as a traditional red cap chieftain, today, look at how I was rubbished by your chairman, it is so horrible, Obi Odiaka lamented.

In a swift response and some kind of a quick fix approach to Obi Odiaka's unexpected public outburst of political grievance, Envg Maduemezia's frantic attempts at grappling with some quick counter perspectives, failed to change the already charged crowd's impression about Obi Odiaka's lamentation.

One remarkable feature of the grassroot campaign was the people's loud acclaim in support of their most preferred candidates at the mention of their names.

From the people's verdict of loud cheers support, it was clear that Rt Hon Onwusanya stole the show most.

For her smart political thought manovering, Hon Mrakpor got second best support of the people's voice votes after Rt Hon Peter Onwusanya.

Of Barr Peter Nwaoboshi, it was clear he lost the cheer leaders support, despite all his attempts to convince the people about his engagement with his self styled equity initiative.

Feelers from a good number of rally participants, Asaba Post News Wire intelligently spoke to, shared that Rt Hon Ochei stands better chance at the polls than Barr Peter Nwaoboshi.

Those who spoke unofficially to Asaba Post News Wire were of the opinion that the reason for which the event registered the huge turn out was because they were previously informed that they were coming to meet Rt Hon Peter Onwusanya.

We can't get this number if it were Barr Nwaoboshi who called for this rally, one participant told us.

Senate 2015: Why Delta North Should Elect Ochei

By Daddyo Oge Okonkwo-Osinkor

As the race for the Delta North Senatorial Seat gathers momentum, interested candidates sponsored by their various political parties have thrown their hats into the ring contesting for the seat. Some of the candidates have been touring the local government areas of the zone selling their programmes to the electorate while others appear to hope on some ‘magic’ to catapult them to the seat. On the other hand, certain candidates seem to be relying on the strength of their parties than the electorate to make it to the senate.

An analysis of the political situation of the zone reveal that it won’t be business as usual as the electorate long for a candidate with traceable achievements and records of service. The February 14 senatorial poll is a day of reckoning for candidates who at one time or the other failed to use their exalted positions to advance the cause of the people of the zone. Delta North could not afford to make mistake in the election of its representative at the senate. This is the time to check the score cards of all the candidates.

A peep into the candidates vying for the seat indicates that the Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP), Victor Ochei (ACCORD PARTY) and Kelvin Njideaka (APC) are the front runners. Nwaoboshi who is seeking his election for the first time appears to have lost a lot of ground due to under performance in his almost 16 years at the government as 8yrs state PDP Chairman and two times commissioner. The poor state of basic infrastructure in the zone indicates how poorly Nwaoboshi has been detached from the people. For Kelvin Njideaka, he has lost touch with the people.

Of all the candidates battling for the seat, Rt Hon.(Engr)Victor Onyekachi Ochei, has over the years demonstrated that life is all about service to the people. He has always been identified with philanthropic activities spanning the local government areas of the zone. The Onicha Olona born legislator trains over 100 students annually in his skill acquisition, secondary and tertiary institutions scholarship programme in Nigeria and overseas. Currently, the scholarship programme sponsors four students for post graduate studies abroad every two years.

Ochei’s life revolves around philanthropy as he has never hesitated to offer hope to the less privileged. The popular belief in Delta North is that if Ochei could make such a mark as a state legislator, he will do much better if he elected to represent the zone at the senate. Ochei is not the typical Nigeria politician known for making promises; he has in his private capacity as a businessman and philanthropist, assisted people without making noise about it, contrary to the publication of names of constituents who they claimed Nwaoboshi made. This explains the clamour by the people of the zone for Ochei to be their next senator.

Going by the current mood of the electorate in the zone, Ochei’s victory at the election is a fait accompli. His victory at the polls will give Delta North a new lease of life in the area of quality representation and ‘bumper harvest’ of dividends of democracy which the zone lacks. Political analysts insist that the ACCORD PARTY candidate is better placed to lift Delta North from the doldrums. There is no doubt that Ochei is running a good race with all the elements in his favour. 

Lamenting the predicament of his Delta North people, Ochei has gone strategic in his campaigns to all the local governments of the zone, selling his programmes. He has almost concluded his tour of the zone as stakeholders, particularly of the PDP, fall over themselves to endorse him. His wide acceptance across the zone has led to the destruction of his campaign billboards. Ochei has worked so hard that it would be a travesty of justice if Delta North people do not reward him with a landslide victory on February 14.

Nwaoboshi who served as Chairman of Delta State PDP has taken his constituents for granted for too long that most of them, even from his party, PDP, has vowed never to allow him near the seat.

It is clear that Nwaoboshi does not have a strong case to make about his bid to the senate after eight years of a wicked neglect of his people. Many people still nurse a grudge against him for the poor state of roads in the zone,electricity,thuggery,imposition,impuniuty, fraudulent act,extort money and water.The people appear to be tired of his ‘song’ that Chairman of Party have no role to play in attracting federal/state government’s attention to the problem of infrastructure in their areas. The clamour for quality representation has become louder; Delta North cannot afford to elect senators who will be in the National Assembly to enrich themselves.

There is no doubt that Rt.Hon (Engr)Victor Ochei is the right choice for the Delta North senate seat.

Jonathan Commissions New Govt House After PDP Finale Rally In Asaba

BY FIDELIS EGUGBO

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has commissioned an ultra-modern Government House edifice in Asaba. The commissioning of the structure which is one of its kinds in this part of the world was done after the Presidential rally of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Asaba, on Wednesday, February 4, 2015.

It was surprising that Governor Uduaghan decided that the project commissioning should be like that. This is because the Governor, since the inception of his administration, has always maintained a low profile when it comes to blowing his trumpet. And of course, the commissioning of the new Government House structure was without much fanfare.

The Governor believes that he was elected to carry out do what he is doing. To him, why commission a water project if such project can comfortably ease the stress of the people or commission road which has made facilitated movement of people from one place or the other.

This could be the reason the Asaba Airport Project and many other landmark projects executed by the Uduaghan’s administration have not be commissioned. Of course, these projects are already serving the purposes they were designed and constructed for.

It was really a day of praises for Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan as all those who spoke at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) rally took time to praise him for his efforts towards empowering the people. Of course his successor-in-waiting, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, was beaming with satisfactory smile as the PDP rally lasted. It is worthy to state that the gubernatorial candidate of the party has toured all parts of the state and his acceptability by the people was obvious from the praises heaped on him by the crowd that turned out for the rally.

President Jonathan, who spoke in pidgin, stated, “Delta nor dey carry last,” as he was enthusiastic with the level of organisations for the rally, the crowd was massive and obviously, he was making reference to the fact that he never had it so good during the rallies compared to what he saw in Delta State.

“Delta is a great state,” he reiterated and informed the people that he was seeking re-elections based on the fact that PDP remains the only political party that has the future of Nigeria at heart. To the President, his administration is empowering the youths and providing job opportunities that have never been seen in the history of Nigeria. Delta State is a beneficiary of such projects as his administration has established a Maritime University making Delta the only state with two federal universities.

He also stated that the more than 16 billion dollars gas city project would be the biggest oil and gas project in Africa when completed and disclosed that apart from the project giving a boost to the economy of the country, it will to a large extent, reduce unemployment among Nigerian youths.

Definitely, the President was confident about the massive votes he will receive from the oil-rich state as it was a more of a thank you visit bearing in mind that Deltans are comfortable with his administration’s Transformation Agenda for Nigeria.

His wife did not mince words on why Nigerian women in particular should vote for the President as she observed that no other President would be able to give women voice in the political terrain as President Jonathan has done. This is a verifiable fact as the women who are Ministers are doing very well and of course, during President Jonathan’s administration, women even took the pride of place in the judicial sector.

The Vice-President, Arch. Namadi Sambo, described President Jonathan as a man who deserves the votes of Nigerians bearing in mind that he is still young and vibrant. To him, the world has gone beyond having old men as leaders, observing that countries that have the best economies in the world have leaders who are less than sixty years old.

To the Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, “the people of Delta have shown love for a great party, the PDP from the beginning, the people of Delta State are great supporters of the PDP,” while the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, asserted, “I am proud to be a Deltan with this wonderful crowd that I am seeing.”

Chairman of South South Governors Forum, Senator Liyel Imoke, also expressed gratitude to Governor Uduaghan for boosting the strength of the PDP in the state through his people-oriented projects and the Director-General of the campaign organisation for President Goodluck Jonathan, Senator Ahmadu Ali, shouted, “this crowd in Asaba today is superlative.”

He thanked Governor Uduaghan for carrying out programmes and executing projects which have made the people to remain committed to the PDP.

The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, described Governor Uduaghan’s empowerment programmes as that which has given succour to a lot of people from Anambra State. “Delta State is a state that has come first for more than three years as a result of micro-credit programme, many people from Anambra are doing business and they are comfortable,” Mr. Obi said.

Dr Uduaghan thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for a result-yielding human capital development programme which he observed has given recognition to those in the entertainment industry – musicians, actors cum actresses, comedians, among others, stating that more than 80 per cent of the beneficiaries of such gesture were Deltans.

He also observed that the President has encouraged sports development which has made Deltans to win gold medals for the country in the last Commonwealth Games assuring that the people of the state would vote massively for the PDP in the forthcoming elections.