By Mamuzo Otobo
LAGOS 22ND ( URHOBOTODAY)-The strong consensus in Delta State and even Nigeria is that the state whose creation in 1991 elicited an uncommon euphoria has been mired in abysmal misrule and political brigandage since the coming of democratic rule in 1999. True, when Delta State was carved out of the old Bendel State in 1991, there was some level of resentment arising from the feeling in the core Delta area now made up of Delta Central and South Senatorial Districts that the capital of the new state, Asaba was too far flung and outside the territorial boundaries of the original Delta.
The ill-feeling in 1999 also reared its head in the Anioma area which is the Delta North Senatorial District that hosts the capital, Asaba. The disenchantment among the Anioma people at that time arose from the anxiety of political domination culminating in the fear that the core Delta might assume a political hegemony over them. Yet, there was something similar to an unwritten agreement among the leaders of the new state then that since the Anioma already host the state capital, the core Delta can make do with the governorship. In spite of these opposing positions, there was great joy in anticipation of the great destiny that awaited the state due to its inestimable oil wealth, agricultural potentials and a very dynamic and resourceful population. The people celebrated thinking that the creation of the new state would transform into socio-economic prosperity beyond what the mind could picture.
The people have with the passage of time realized how wrong and how misplaced that euphoria was. This is so because twenty-three years after the creation of Delta State and sixteen years down the road of democratic rule the people have had nothing, but the failure of government manifested in the near absence of infrastructure, collapse of educational and health institutions, insecurity, hunger, unemployment, corruption and insensitivity to their plight. The state has been famous and in the news for the wrong reasons. Up till this moment, its former governor who held sway like a colossus from 1999 to 2007 is still in a British jail for stealing millions of dollars and pounds belonging to the Delta State government and the people. The incumbent governor was also said to have had a princely N8Billion to his name when he was about to become governor. Yet, the man had no history of a well paid employment before he strayed into government as Health Commissioner and later Secretary to State Government.
The experience of governance in Delta State since 1999 has been to make millionaires out of paupers and brigands at the expense of the people. There is today a long list of political millionaires who never had any viable work experience except being in politics and holding political appointments. What follows is the economic emasculation of the people and acute underdevelopment of the state. A journalist once engaged the incumbent governor in an interview session last year and took him to task on why Akwa Ibom State has recorded so much development while Delta State appears to be stunted in spite of both states earning almost the same revenue from oil. The governor retorted by saying that governance was not about competition and comparison. Delta State and its people remain stunted because they are in the vice grip of a monstrous and decadent political order. The people know and they are desirous of breaking free from the yoke of misrule placed on them by the oligarchy.
However, desirous as the people of Delta State want to be free from the bondage of misrule a new, but very dangerous twist is gradually creeping into the state’s political configuration and the earlier the people wake up to nip it in the bud the better it will be for all and the future of the state. This new twist is the surreptitious emergence of militant leader Government Ekpemukpolo popularly called Tompolo as the new kingpin of PDP politics in Delta State. It has become common knowledge and a shocking one nationwide that Tompolo it was who sponsored the governorship aspiration of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa the eventual winner of the Delta State PDP governorship primaries. Tompolo was said to have invaded the venue with dollar notes and the rest they say is history. The development sent anger and shock throughout Delta State. Tompolo is ordinarily an outcast who should be serving a jail term for the brigandage he unleashed on Nigeria. The twin evil of kidnapping and oil theft he introduced to the Niger Delta are still haunting the region and the nation at last.
The emergence of Tompolo as a powerbroker has sent anxiety and fear into Deltans. Are we jumping from frying pan to fire? Nigerians know the antecedents of Tompolo and they are witnesses to what he did with NIMASA and his sidekick whom he made its DG. Nigerians also know what Tompolo did to truncate the EPZ to be located in Delta State. Tompolo LITERALLY TOOK OVER THE SECURITY OF Delta State from the sitting governor. Tompolo is a bad omen. Although, Okowa is a denizen of the decadent Ibori-Uduaghan political order, many used to think that he was a gentleman. Nevertheless, since political survival and opportunism pushed him to dine with Tompolo without using a long spoon he should be ready for the consequences. Yet, Deltans can still salvage the situation by using their ballots to dislodge Tomplolo the kingpin and Okowa the arch-symbol of the decadent political order. Deltans must vote out this cabal and begin a new dawn of prosperity. Deltans must mobilize to reclaim their state.
Otobo wrote from Warri, Delta State.