Ifeanyi Okowa,PDP,Isoko Politicians
LAGOS SEPTEMBER 22ND (URHOBOTODAY)-Strong criticisms have continued to trail last week’s separate votes of confidence passed on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State by the Isoko South and North local government chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The criticisms have been mostly provoked by the deplorable conditions of roads in the headquarters of two council areas.
Aggrieved Isoko indigenes described those who gave the votes of confidence as a crop of mediocrities.
Mr. Paul Onoriode Emerhana, a lawyer, said the new crop of Isoko politicians in Asaba are weaklings, who are scared to demand what is due Isoko people from Mr. Okowa.
“I am not a politician, but I think that the All Progressives Congress will win more Isoko votes in the next elections if the PDP leaders continue to pass worthless votes of confidence on Okowa. Confidence in what? We are the people and the leaders are from among us. We are saying the Governor and his government are shortchanging us. Our political leaders in Asaba are now weaker and more like cheerleaders of the governor,” he said.
The lawyer said there was Solomon Ogba, who demanded Isoko people’s entitlement form the government during the administration of the now jailed Mr. James Ibori and there was Macauley, who did same under former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
“Today all our communication lines to Government House are like defunct NITEL lines; not reachable, no network coverage. We can’t continue to deceive ourselves that all is well,” he added.
Emerhana accused the governor of giving preferential treatment to the Ika area, where he hails from, and wondered why the governor’s own people are yet to pass a vote of confidence on their son.
Also piqued is Comrade Geoffrey Osiama, founder and National President of Isoko National Political Emancipation Movement (INPEM). Osiama warned Isoko politicians, especially those of the PDP, to stop worshiping Okowa and desist from passing any confidence vote on him.
“We have 25 local government areas in Delta State and by my records, the Delta State Direct Labour Agency (DLA) has executed about 69 road projects with none in Isokoland on the list. This is a deliberate attempt to marginalize the Isokos by Governor Okowa. What happened to Igbide/Olomoro road, the only link road between two host communities of oil and gas facilities, Oroni & Olol?” he asked.
Osiama also wondered why Mr. Okowa’s government has continued to neglect Oleh/Ozoro Road.
“Isoko oilfield facilities are all onshore and production is constant in full capacity. Isoko facilities is now the major hope of Delta State prior to when the resurgent militancy in the Niger Delta will end.
“Offshore facilities operations is near 0%. Our source of monthly federal allocation is directly proportional to our oil resources contributions. All agencies and ministries in Delta State are funded from the allocation. Our leaders must warn themselves that the youths who were used during the elections are still on the streets roaming. They must be careful in passing vote of confidence,” warned Osiama.
A former representative of the Isoko area in the House of Assembly told SaharaReporters on the condition of anonymity that those who represent Isokoland in the Okowa administration have disappointed their people.
Saharareporters