Opinion: How not to be Governor of Delta State

Every political analyst is no permanent friend of anybody, good or bad.

Issues are addressed based on prevailing circumstances and developments. To expect stereotypical reflections of issues and persons from any writer is to canvass death of his or her creative endeavor. No writer sticks to any politician for life because what the political player does determines the tenor of evaluations. For this simple reason, this writer had appeared to be friend and enemy to many politicians over time. But the truth remains that there is no friend or enemy in reflecting political activities. The seeming enemy today could be a friend tomorrow.

Since June 2012 when this writer started maintaining her column in newspapers, there had been times we had reasons to support Chief Great Ogboru, and other times, we criticized him. Same goes for Olorogun Otega Emerhor, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Chief David Edevbie, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and many others. Whatever is written is not borne out of malice or personal vendetta rather on understanding of prevailing situations. I had had cause to engage some persons in private discussions for hours to get a clearer view of situations. When such happens, we modify our presentations to suit fresh ideas brought to the table.

Recently, we took time to address the question of the ‘Character of the Governor Delta needs’ in a four part series. In our presentations, we frowned at the attitude of governorship aspirants from the Central Senatorial district who are seemingly waiting for the starting whistle from Governor Okowa before launching into the deep. We are glad to see two reactions which are clear indications of the character of the actors that sponsored those reactions. The reactions came from one Sanco Ese writing for the Osu Movement on behalf of aspirants from the Okpe axis and the other from Chief David Edevbie media team with one Mr. John Egie, the impeached Chairman of NUJ, Ughelli Correspondents Chapel, leading the onslaught on anybody he suspects to be enemy of Chief David Edevbie.

The reaction by Sanco Ese is matured and thought-provoking. The fact that I am aware of the issues he canvassed on behalf of the two aspirants on his radar, Chief James Augoye and Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, does not detract from the texture of his presentations. He called me a liar in a mild way but that is tolerable within the limit of political altercations. I have nothing personal against James Augoye or Sheriff Oborevwori. I have no reason whatsoever to attack them. There are facts he does not know and it is certain there are information available to Sanco Ese that I am not privileged to know. That is life. I sincerely commend Sanco Ese for his reaction. That is the way to reflect the aspirations of one’s principal. That too is a reflection of what character those said aspirants possess.

But that is not the case with the reaction from Chief David Edevbie through one Mr. John Egie, a supposed Journalist who reasoned through his stomach and could sell his colleague for a pot of porridge. Yours sincerely is from Obi-Ayagha, a close neighbor to Chief Kenneth Gbagi’s Oginibo hometown. I had been hard on Gbagi since he entered the race, yet, in all my criticism of the man, Chief Kenneth Gbagi has not thrown caution to the winds the way David Edevbie and his lackey have done in this instant case. First John Egie’s presentation lacked depth and substance. Instead of addressing the complaint I raised in my piece, the hungry Journalist sponsored by David Edevbie chose to attack whosoever he believed wrote the piece because, to him, a woman cannot think with such depth. Again, the man who sponsored the publication thought instead of the local media used originally for the publication, he would prefer to use a National newspaper for his reaction. To him, the Urhobo tabloids are of no importance and should be discarded. He would rather spend N500,000 for a full page in Vanguard than perhaps N100,000 in Urhobo Voice or Urhobo Vanguard. This is the man who wants to be Governor of Delta State banking on support from Urhobo.

I am tempted to throw some hard missiles so we could land in court and then I would prove to John Egie that I am real. My International Passport, National ID Card, Driver’s licence and Voter’s card will all prove to the well over 60 years old John Egie, who retired from the civil service a couple of years ago, that Annabel Ogheneganre is real. No frustrated Journalist will tempt me into doing any unethical thing, so I will sheathe my sword for now. But if I am tempted any further, I shall dance in the open square with whoever that is sponsoring the old man who refused to grow up in the pen profession. At least I am not responsible for his impeachment on allegations bordering on misappropriation of Union funds. Chief David Edevbie is one of the best materials available for the office of governor but if he believes the likes of John Egie are his Chief Advisers, he should be prepared for what will follow. My only concern is targeting innocent people whom the morally depraved sloth like John Egie believes are behind my column. I pray nobody is hurt on account of my talent.

Whoever knows Chief David Edevbie should advise him to beware of the likes of John Egie. This is not the way to be governor of a state. If he has to react to every criticism by attacking people, he would wear himself out. The reaction from Sanco Efe is more tolerable even though he refers to me as a liar. Sanco should understand that there is no reason to lie. Information available to the writer determines the content of presentations. I insist traditional institutions in Delta North played a role in the emergence of Okowa in 2014/2015. If he does not know, he should ask questions.

Finally, I appreciate all the reactions. I love Chief David Edevbie as a charming goal-getter with clout. He can make it but not through hiring people of bizarre moral value like Egie who could do anything to serve his paymaster. Such men have a prize and when another with bigger prizes comes their way, they abandon the former paymaster. Every political office seeker must be prepared to face war from friends and foes alike. The man who tells you that you have foul mouth odour may be your best friend after all. If I praise you today, there is no guarantee I will praise you forever. I have been labeled a PDP and APC member at different times. That is the mark of a good analyst. No stereotypical analyst can serve the interest of the masses. There is none without fault. Let us play the game conscious of the fact that at the end of the day, only one person will make it to Dennis Osadebey House in 2023.

Annabel Ogheneganre writes from Garki, Abuja. (09030558731 SMS only or ananabel4christ@hotmail.com) 

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