Fresh confusion has enveloped political gladiators in Warri South Local Government Area, especially members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP over the alleged endorsement of a Chieftain of the party, Mrs. Shola Daibo by the Warri Traditional Council as the ‘preferred choice’ in the forthcoming Bye-election on who to replace the late Hon. Omawumi Beatrice Udoh as member representing Warri South Constituency 1 in Delta State House of Assembly.
Mrs. Shola Daibo, a member of the Warri Royal Family and one-time aspirant to the Warri South Constituency 1 seat, purportedly got the nod of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, some Chiefs in the palace, including leader of PDP in Warri South Local Government, Chief Joseph Sisanmi Otumara Yesterday (Monday 9) afternoon.
Though details of the rumoured endorsement were still sketchy as at the time of this report, the Warri South PDP leader, Chief Otumara was yet to brief members of the party in the area on the purported decision of the Warri Traditional Institution, even as strong indications emerged that the Mrs. Shoal Daibo ‘dummy’ could not be sold to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as at press time.
Some political leaders at the ward level in Warri South Constituency 1 who spoke to Fresh Angle International Tuesday January 10 in Warri, expressed disappointment on the speculated endorsement of Mrs. Shola Daibo, saying her aspiration will not fly. They alleged that the decision was the handiwork of a Chieftain of the APC to weaken the strength of the PDP in the imminent Bye-election, saying it could be a ploy to pave the way for APC to get easy sail in the forthcoming poll.
Even though Comrade Michael Tidi and Chairman of Warri South Local Government, Hon. Matthew Mofe Edema otherwise known as Man of God, MOG are yet to publicly declare intention to vie for the Warri South Constituency 1 seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, their names have continued to dominate social media as well as political discourse, even as INEC is yet to come up with a time table for the election.
There are indications that the Warri South PDP leadership may face huge shocker on the choice of candidate as Governor Ifeanyi Okowa seems poised to pick a candidate that is sellable and capable of defeating whosoever the main opposition APC will field.
Names being branded among the popularity list include Hon. Matthew Edema and Comrade Michael Tidi, who enjoys the backing of Hon. Michael Diden and gave late Hon. Omawumi Udoh a run for her money in the 2011 House of Assembly election.
As at the time of this report, it was not clear if the SDP will obliged Hon. Godwin Abigor the opportunity to contest the Bye-election as its original candidate or if the former Aide to ex-Governor Emmanuel Udughan will contest the poll on the APC platform as speculations are rife that he may have defected to the APC to seek the people’s mandate.
Feelers have it that no fewer than seven aspirants have indicated interest to vie for the Warri South Constituency 1 seat on the platform of the APC in the imminent poll due to the seeming disinterest of the party’s original candidate, Barr. Robinson Ariyo.
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