MR. Alex Onwuadiamu is a member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party in Delta State and the Chairman of Anioma Agenda. In this interview, he examines issues arising as we build up to 2015 political events in the State. Excerpts:
By Hugo Odiogor
How would you assess the political trends in Delta state as we approach 2015?
For Anioma agenda, the political developments are very positive for us. When we started this campaign and advocacy, it was an issue of zoning or rotation to be or not to be. We thank God that we started early enough. I’m happy to report that as of today, the state is getting ready for the reality of an Anioma governorship of Delta state.
What do you mean when you say we are getting ready? Has there been any formal declaration by the ruling party that the ticket has been zoned to that area?
There may not have been a formal declaration by the leader of the major political party in Delta state, His Excellency Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. For those of us who try to interpret the weather, the body language is pointing at that axis. The Chairman of PDP, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, has said time without number that the next governor will come from Anioma area.
If you look at the avalanche of aspirants we have currently, the Anioma area, Delta North Senatorial zone, has about 17 governorship aspirants. From the Urhobo area, we have about four. There are one or two Ijaw aspirants in the race. If you look at that, you will see where the pendulum is swinging. Naturally, where people know that this is the direction, you will have more people from that area clamouring for that office.
All these are the things that are giving us that confidence that it is going to be Anioma. Above all, there are facts that you cannot controvert in this journey, and that is the fact that Central has occupied that position for 10 years, South is presently occupying it for a possible eight years. Delta North has not done so. In that case, the natural destination in 2015 is for the governorship is Delta North to do its turn. You can’t controvert that.
I can tell you categorically that the next governor will come from Delta North. They say 12 hours is a long night in politics. So we want to remain as vigilant as possible. We want to continue our advocacy to the last minute. We want all hands on deck. We are not going to rest until May 29, 2015, when we shall all be there to see an Anioma son or daughter sworn in as the executive governor of Delta state.
How do you reconcile the interest of about 17 aspirants from Delta North, without rancour?
I do not think that any number of governorship aspirants you have is too large. If you want to look at those who are qualified to run for governor according to the constitutional requirements, you will find out that the number we have is even small.
What do you think will happen if PDP makes the mistake of not zoning the governorship ticket to Delta North?
Delta North will go for where their children are. I do not think anybody would want to go with a political party that does not assuage your quest if it is a very reasonable quest. I think the current trend and mood in Delta state is for an Anioma governorship. Most stake holders are in tune with that.
There are fears of the possible emergence of a dark horse?
Anioma agenda and I as a person do not believe in the phrase dark horse. I believe that the idea of a dark horse is a political fraud. Our politics has gone beyond that level. Anybody who is telling you of the emergence of a dark horse wants to swindle you. If you want to be governor of a state, I believe the very first thing you will want to do is to canvass publicly the reason why you want to be governor.
Are you going to be a governor in the dark? Why do you want to be a dark horse? Come to the open and canvas the reason why you want to be governor so that we will have opportunity to support or disown you.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/anioma-made-case-onwuadiamu/#sthash.VpkKOjZJ.dpuf
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