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By Felix Ayanruoh
Many political observers were alarmed at the spectacle displayed by the Chief O’tega Emerhor and his band of supporters at the recently concluded APC National Convention – a slap to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and our democratic values.
The underlining dispute is the fight for the soul of APC in Delta State. But let’s not be blinded of the important fact of who is capable of fightig for and winning the soul of Delta from decades of maladministration, corruption, poverty, nepotism, unemployment, impunity et al. It’s not just the APC, Delta’s populist moment is marked by challenges to the political establishment and status quo on both sides of the ideological spectrum.
Since O’tega Emerho became the APC Gubernatorial candidate in 2015 and one of its leader, the question in the minds of many is how far has the party gone in terms of winning elections, membership drive and political awareness. The media has understandably devoted lot of its attention to the story of his autocratic and self centered reign as leader and the recent angry rebellion by his band of supporters. Nothing if at all has been said of his successes in this regard. The question is, where will these unwarranted rebellion lead to?
It is not enough for the APC to restrict itself to federal appointments – thereby benefiting a handful in the form of board appointments and contracts as against socio-economic development of our state. We are all witnesses to what imposition of candidate did to the APC in the April 2017 Warri South Local Government bye election to the Delta State House of Assembly. If you don’t know – the so called leadership imposed ”popular” candidate was soundly defeated in that election. I bold to state that Chief O’tega Emerhor is well at home with a weak APC in Delta State and an APC Federal Government
Suffice to state that the present ideological spectrum which Deltans detest isn’t an ideology so much as an attitude of hostility to the powers-that-be. It holds that everyone in a position of power is corrupt — that both parties are in the grip of people and ideas that, intentionally or not, end up benefiting a relative few while leaving everyone else to pick up the crumbs.
It is axiomatic to state that Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru is that person in both political divide that can right the ideological spectrum that has and is bedeviling our dear state. He is widely known for his suave temperament, selfless service and most importantly, he has no ties to the corrupt political class. He has the broadest base of supporters, has not accepted political money and is least compromised by big money and special interest.
It was the Late Martin Luther King Jr. who in, A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writing and Speeches that said,“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” It is instructive to note that these rebellion will not change the dynamics of the 2019 elections in Delta State. The APC has a common opponent – the PDP. However as stated by King Jr. above a united party will do more in chasing out darkness out of our state. I urge all Deltans including Olorogun Emerhor and his supporters to come back home and join hands with Chief Great Ogboru in Winning back the Soul of Delta State.
Felix Ayanruoh
[email protected].