Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba
Delta State Governor, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has dismissed speculation in the media that disagreement among stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state was causing delay in the selection of his nominees into his cabinet and composition of the State Executive Council (EXCO) for his administration to take off.
Oborevwori said that contrary to certain media reports, he was not under any pressure regarding the selection of qualified members of his cabinet but was only bidding his time in putting together a formidable team towards the effective implementation of his M.O.R.E Agenda.
Speaking yesterday on behalf of the governor, his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, emphasized that he was taking his time “to pick suitable and competent hands to be appointed into the State Executive Council.”
The governor said that it was incorrect to claim that pressure from certain quarters, including his immediate predecessor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, was responsible for the perceived delay in making public or submitting to the Delta State House of Assembly a list of commissioner-nominees one month after his inauguration as the state chief executive officer on May 29, 2023.
While appealing to media practitioners “to avoid speculations that could heat up the polity”, Oborevwori debunked insinuation of any delay in letting Deltans know the possible members of his crucial team.
“First, the State House of Assembly was constituted on June 13th and thereafter went on recess for two weeks and only reconvened on Tuesday June 27, 2023.
“The Governor will pick credible and capable persons, devoid of sentiments, that will help him deliver on his M.O.R.E Agenda for Deltans.
“The report is, therefore, wrong in its entirety and borne out of mischief. Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa does not interfere with appointments”, Ahon stated.
He assured Deltans to be patient with the state government as it was poised to deliver more for the people through a carefully selected team of qualified Deltans to drive the process effectively.
Aside alleged of interference from his the immediate past governor, THISDAY checks revealed that Governor Oborevwori was being careful not to further escalate the deep division created in the fold of PDP particularly of Ijaw ethnic extraction following the emergence of member representing Warri South-West state constituency, Hon Emomotimi Guwor as the new Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.
Specifically, there has been agitation for a commissioner-nominee of Egbema-Ijaw extraction to be picked for Warri North Local Government Area, amid alleged plans to foist the daughter of former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, apparently as compensation of sorts for the young woman losing out in the effort to be the PDP state legislative candidate for the area.
Moreover, after his initial fruitless defection to the APC, Uduaghan had made himself a dependable pillar of support for the PDP and its energy-sapping campaign to ensure that Oborevwori emerged victorious in the March 18, 2023 governorship election.
