Crack In Relationship Between Okowa, Asagba Of Asaba Over Choice Of Chairmanship Candidate

There seems to be a frosty relationship between Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and the Asagba of Asaba over reported discrepancies in the chairmanship seat in Oshimili South Local Government Council, headquartered in Asaba, the state capital.

BIGPEN understands the development is coming after some top chieftains of the PDP had allegedly disrespectfully disregarded the highly respected Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof Chike  Edozien over the choice of the PDP chairmanship candidate for the seat of Oshimili South Local Government Council.

Multiple sources said that some chieftains of the party in the council area have allegedly pitched the revered monarch against the governor.

Dependable sources said that the development stemmed from dropping of the governor’s name as being behind the festering crisis over the choice of the PDP chairmanship candidate for the seat of Oshimili South Local Government Council.

This came on the backdrop of speculations that some PDP top faithful close to the governor had disregarded the respected monarch’s counsel that the next chairmanship of the Council should come from another autonomous community within the Oshimili South since the incumbent chairman of the Council who is wrapping up his tenure is from Oko.

It was gathered that the choice of who became the PDP chairmanship candidate for that Local Government Council actually pitched incumbent Council chairman, Uche Osadebe against the highly respected Asagba of Asaba.

It was alleged that those loyal to the Royal father wanted another candidate preferably from Asaba or Okwe because both incumbent Council chairman Osadebe and Ezeyili, younger brother to the controversial businessman, Chinedu Oko are from Oko axis.

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It was gathered that the division has pitted chiefs in the Asagba palace against those in support of the position of PDP and incumbent chairman of the council.

The development had reportedly on Saturday led to the resignation of Chief Adizue Eluaka, a top Anioma politician and palace chief of the Asagba of Asaba, from Governor Okowa’s government.

Report says that Chief Adizue Eluaka resigned his appointment as a Board member of the Delta State Capital Territory Development Board in protest against what insiders consider as a disrespectful treatment meted on the highly respected Asaba Monarch.

Though, Eluaka did not give any reason for resigning his appointment as board member, Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency, a report in New Diplomat quoted a source as saying; “the arrangement before now, was that after the two terms of the outgone council chairman who hailed from Oko, the chairmanship position should go to Asaba, but when the sum of 25 million naira is at stake coupled with the impunity of the Governor to handpick candidates that only favor his political interest in 2023, the result is why a highly respected chief like Eluaka has to resign his position yesterday.

“The Chairmanship candidate of PDP is from Oko and from the same Ward as the Council Chairman that just completed his two terms. All Asaba political office holders are resigning as we speak in solidarity with the position of the Asagba of Asaba. This is just in Oshimili South LGA alone.

“When a man begins to make himself Lord in a political party, he will definitely face rejection and defection. Chief Adizue Eluaka is regarded  as “Onu ndi Asaba”.

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“His resignation speaks volume and should serve as a lesson to the  PDP leadership and present government in power that you cannot have your way all the time because of your interest.

“PDP in Delta state is heading towards destruction on life support,” The source added.

In the resignation letter addressed to Delta state governor dated 8th January, 2021, Eluaka said, “I wish to refer to your appointment letter referenced SGD955/125 on the above subject matter dated 1st August, 2019 and to hereby tender my application for resignation of the appointment with effects from above date.”

However, speaking on why he resigned his appointment, Chief Eluaka said it was not true that he has decamped to APC, but insisted that he has to quit his appointment because of accumulated injustices meted on Asaba community by the PDP government in the state.

He stated that the PDP chairmanship candidate for Oshimili South LGA for the council election was his political son, but argued that it was not fair for PDP to retain the chairmanship of the council for Ward two Oko, for three consecutive terms at a stretch.

Meanwhile, some state officials who preferred anonymity, said that political actors involved in the festering crisis, were just dropping the name of the governor, saying that the governor holds the Asagba in high esteem.

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One source specifically, said that the governor could not have imposed a candidate on the people of Asaba as being claimed by those protesting and raising allegations.

In a related development, a statement from the chairman of the party in the local government area, Dada Okonji reads: “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State has been drawn to stories making the rounds on the resignation of Chief Adizue Eluaka from the Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency (DSCTDA), where he was a Board member, and wish to set straight the unfounded claims arising from the event.

“It is important to observe that Chief Eluaka did not state any reason for resigning his appointment as a Board member of the DSCTDA, neither did he give any clue as to why he decided to leave. Besides, he did not imply in any way that he is no more a member of the PDP. It will, therefore, be mischievous for anyone to insinuate any claims that Chief Eluaka did not make.

“The PDP wishes also to make it abundantly clear with respect to the Council election primaries that the party is quite sensitive to the need to ensure fairness to all segments in the distribution of appointments and elective offices in line with the principle of equity and fairness. Accordingly, the party wishes to announce that Asaba in the current dispensation has produced the member in the State House of Assembly, Commissioner as well as holding other critical appointments. Yet, the PDP is aware that there are other areas in the constituency and that for fairness and equity sake, these other areas should also be carried along in the distribution of appointments and elective offices.

“The Oshimili South PDP, therefore, enjoins party faithful, supporters, and loyalists to remain committed to the sense and principle of fairness and equity that is the hallmark of the party and maintain the element of good taste and peace. They should not allow themselves to be swayed by rumours and the antics of enemies of the party to infiltrate our ranks and cause discord.

“The PDP in Oshimili South stands on the solid principle of equity, fairness and will see to it that no segment of our constituency is shortchanged in appointments and elective office,”.

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