POWER POLITICS IN DELTA & QUEST FOR ANIOMA, BY NORBERT CHIAZOR

Delta! The amalgamation of five strong and virile ethnic groups on August 27,1991, had birthed a state with intense diversity.

A state steeped in continuous search for self identity as each group jostles for organic attention. A human experience Indian historian, Sandalal Nanda termed “competitive communalism”.

Two distinct discourses have instructively shaped an evolving Delta in recent times. Politics ahead of 2027 governorship and the agitation for Anioma, both generating animated interest.

On 2027, the debate has been particularly quintessential. The anticipation of tomorrow, extremely eager among Deltans.

The events of April 23, 2025 energized the political mood in Delta.That day, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, immediate past governor, Senator Dr. ifeanyi Okowa, followed by other high-end politicians and their supporters decamped from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

That movement, deep and dramatic, reconfigured Delta political landscape. 26 years of PDP dominance of Delta had just ended.

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Senator Ned Nwoko representing Delta North Senatorial District, the only PDP senator in the state had earlier on February 5 2025 decamped to APC ,completing a troika of Delta APC senators with Senator Ede Dafinone ( Delta Central) and senator Joel Onowakpo ( Delta South).

Given a party primed for self -immolation with intractable national leadership crisis, Delta’s swing, seemed a jump away from a ticking time bomb.

To the Delta political establishment, nothing could have been as mollifying as the augury of a new dawn under a stable centre of Renewed Hope Agenda.

The foothold stands in favour of collective self preservation than a move to protect prebendal tendencies of power at the state level.

Delta can only survive on devolution of governorship seat,given its controversial origin and complex ethnicity.

Whether by human permutation or providence,a power rotation structure had sustained the state since 1999. The shape of the sharing strikingly plausible. Devolving from Delta Central, Delta South and Delta North. The three senatorial districts that formed the state.

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Chief James Ibori blazed the trail, ruling from 1999 to 2007. Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan took the governorship baton from 2007 to 2015 . Senator Dr.Ifeanyi Okowa, 2015 to 2023.

All, governing for two terms of eight years each. Every man, his own. Every senatorial district, it’s turn.

Here lies the fortune of the man of the moment, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. He is in his first term of four years. Four more years for Delta Central, Oborevwori’s district. The division currently with Delta governorship power by precedence.

History is a reliable witness. Propriety points Oborevwori for a second tenure to complete Delta Central slot of eight years. Correlatively before a pass to Delta South.

Delta gubernatorial rotation has been rolling peacefully. A soothing balm for a convoluted state. Sheriff has been forthright in office. His efforts visible in critical infrastructure and social welfare schemes in the state.

Power corrupts but so far, he has remained humble in service. Majestic in outcome. This explains the goodwill across Delta.

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2027 is in the womb of time.Tucked in the secrecy of the unknown. Enveloped in divine hand. Mortals can only mull and wait.But our conscience for a calm Delta of the future, nudges Sheriff, not just for the political correctness of governorship rotation but human rectitude.

On the agitation for Anioma State, this flies on the wings of equity and memory.

Kudos to Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North senatorial district in the National Assembly, for igniting the most effervescent glow ever, in an epic movement that started over 70 years ago.The oldest state creation quest in the history of Nigeria, since Sir Dennis Osadebay ,first premier of Midwest region followed by other Anioma potentates pioneered the agitation.

Senator Nwoko has staked much: time, intellect, energy and personal resources, propelling the renewed quest for Anioma State.

That he had openly voiced disinterest in vying for governorship in the event of Anioma State emergence, deepened the tenor of his sacrifice. He has been making consultations. He needs to continue unending to open more doors and build bridges.

Though there is raging debate on which zone – South South or South East, the proposed state should be located, the idea of Anioma is enchantingly just and genuine. Referendum and the government of the day will determine that. Enlightenment, not emotions, will settle it all.

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Anioma will be a win -win situation. Delta as presently constituted will gain.Two governors will emerge if Delta goes.Multiple political offices. Monumental development prospects. Opportunities and possibilities.

Come what may, Governor Oborevwori has nothing to lose.Perchance Delta becomes defunct before 2027, he stands a good status of leading as governor in the carved-out territory. If Delta remained in 2027, he got the brightest chances to continue ahead in gubernatorial capacity,towards 2031.

Under multi-party democracy, contest is everyone’s rights. But power comes from above.The One who all power belongs to dispenses human fate from his fecundity. It’s all grace.

Away with recriminations over 2027 and Anioma State creation agitation.

As Chinua Achebe counseled, “Let the Eagle perch , let the kite perch…”

Peace!

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*Caveat emptor : All vibes strictly my reflections.

Chiazor is a veteran Journalist & Media leader