Today’s exercise is seen as a proxy contest between Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and former governor, Chief James Ibori.
Although the duo are not contesting directly, it is seen as the climax of scheming and intrigues, as well as a supremacy battle between Ibori’s anointed aspirant and Okowa’s former chief of staff, David Edevbie, and the governor’s presumed choice, who many believe to be the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori.
Okowa and the state government have consistently denied supporting any particular aspirant, assuring the contestants of a level-playing field.
Both aspirants are from Delta Central senatorial district.
The state chapter of the PDP, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, reiterated that the primary election would hold today, was earlier approved by the national secretariat.
The statement said accreditation would take place at the Event Centre, Asaba from 9 a.m., followed by-election at the stadium, adding: “Anyone who is not directly involved with the primary is strictly advised to stay away from or near the perimeters of all aforementioned venues until the exercise is duly completed.”
There have been disagreements between the two strongmen of Delta politics over Ibori’s insistence on Edevbie, who contested the 2014 primary against the governor, despite the unwritten zoning of the position to Delta North Senatorial District, based on the rotational arrangement.
Others in the race include Deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro; Senator James Manager, representing Delta South; a former Minister of State for Education, Kenneth Gbagi; a former commissioner for Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Fred Majemite; a former attorney general and commissioner for Justice, Peter Mrakpor, and Chris Iyovwaye; a former member of the state Assembly, Ejaife Odebala; a former commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Onajefe-Gift Bright Edejewhro; Lucky Ohworode Idike and Abel Oghenevo Esievo.
Already, Gbagi, in a statement, yesterday, pulled out of the race, alleging intimidation and hijack of the exercise by the governor.
Meanwhile, Ibori’s daughter, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, yesterday, secured the party’s ticket for the Ethiope Federal Constituency, defeating Ben Igbakpa by 46 to 22 votes in a run-off election, following a deadlock in the last Sunday’s exercise.
Evelyn Oboro also won the ticket for Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency in another rerun.
