2019: Fresh Crisis Of Zoning Dims Ogboru’s Chances In APC

The fresh argument in All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta State that the 2019 governorship ticket like the PDP which also adopted a gentlemanly zoning agreement, have dimmed the chances of the 2015 Labour Party Governorship Candidate, Chief Great Ogboru to clinch the party 2019 governorship ticket.

Ogboru, who reportedly cross carpeted to APC to get the governorship ticket may be on his way out again as his chances of picking the tickets may have been narrowed to Delta Central Senatorial District.

BigPen Online can report that APC Delta North and South had agreed that the ticket be zoned, leaving Delta Central where Ogboru used to command a cults-like followership standing on its own.

Political pundit says Ogboru currently doesn’t enjoys overriding followership in Delta central because some other party leaders believes that Delta North should be supported to complete a one tenure governorship position for the seek of equity and fairness.

“With this development, it appears that the 2019 APC Delta State Gubernatorial primaries will be a contest between those who believe in power rotation as an effective strategy to win the general election because it accommodates the unique interest of minorities and the Ogboru group who think otherwise”.

BigPen Online recalled that Delta South APC leaders had recently backed their counterparts in Delta North to zone the ticket to North, thus shutting out Ogboru and others who also want the ticket.

The decision was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an enlarged meeting held on Sunday 4th March, 2018 and was attended by Senatorial Exco members, LGA Chairmen, Leaders and Stakeholders from the South district.

The meeting which was convened by the Delta South Senatorial Chairman, Yemi Omaghomi, agreed to support Delta North governorship candidacy, but on the condition that such a candidate will only do one term in line with extant power rotation in the state and to allow the zone complete its eight year tenure.

In the communiqué signed for and on behalf of the Senatorial District by Yemi Omaghomi, Chairman, APC Delta South District; High Chief Hon. Augustine Seibi; Secretary, APC Delta South, and four others, they stated that the desire of Delta North to produce the next governor of Delta State on the platform of APC is fair, just and equitable.

It read, “The Delta South APC notes that the request of Delta North APC is fair, just and equitable as it guarantees all ethnic groups, particularly the minority ethnic groups, in our dear State fair access to the Governorship seat of the State.

“The Delta South APC further notes that the request of Delta North APC is in sync with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Constitution of our great party. In particular, Article 20(vi) of the APC Constitution provides:

“Without prejudice to Article 20(ii) and (iii) of this Constitution, the National Working Committee shall subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee make Rules and Regulations for the nomination of Candidates through Primary Elections.

“All such Rules, Regulations and Guidelines shall take into consideration and uphold the principle of Federal Character, gender balance, geo-political spread and rotation of offices, to as much as possible, ensure balance within the constituency covered.’

“The Delta South APC therefore unequivocally supports the quest of Delta North APC to produce the Governorship Candidate of our great party in the 2019 gubernatorial election in Delta State provided however that such candidate must commit to serving one term of four years.”

The party leaders in the communique also urged all members of the party to remain steadfast and gird their loins as the party prepares for the “epochal battle to dislodge the PDP government in Delta State”.

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