Sam Obi Led Reconciliation Committee Visits Ika South
…Calls on aggrieved PDP members to sheathe their swords
It was a robust meeting on Wednesday, July 29 between the Rt Hon Prince Sam Obi led Delta North Reconciliation Committee and aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Ika South Local Government Area. The Delta North Reconciliation Committee members were received by the Chairman of the party in the local government, Mr. Jude Onya ably, represented at the meeting by his Deputy, Mrs. Veronica Osayande, members Ika South PDP executive and members of the Ika South PDP Reconciliation Committee led by Dr Chukwuma O. Nwaonicha.
Speaking during the meeting, the former acting governor said that the meeting was a continuation of the earlier visit of members of his Committee to the local government, noting that the executive governor of the State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as a peace loving leader, has mandated the Reconciliation Committee to meet with all aggrieved members of the party and beg them to sheathe their swords.
He stated that PDP is one united family; hence, her leaders will not allow the unity that has sustained the party over the years be destroyed. He disclosed that his Committee has since its inauguration recorded great successes in many local government areas in the state and Ika South will not be an exception.
Obi, while saying that the growth of PDP should be a major concern for all members of the party during the meeting gave room for the aggrieved members to speak.
First to speak was the immediate past PDP youth leader in Ward 8, Dr Frederick Ehiwario, popularly known as, Alhaji Kuwait, who in his submission called for the recognition of grass root political leaders such as unit heads. He pointed out that most of the activities in the party are done at the grass root or unit level, yet the unit leaders are not recognized and appreciated by leaders at higher levels. While stating that PDP will grow higher if those working for the party at the grass root level are recognized and appreciated, he advised the Delta North Reconciliation Committee to implement his request for the overall benefit of the party.
For Pa John Okonye, also known as, Pineapple Man from Ward 9, “We are appealing to our PDP public office holders to please take care of the persons in the party. Some of our public office holders spend two millions of naira every month on women. Therefore, we are begging such public office holders to reduce their expenditures on women and share with the elders of their party. As elders, if we are taking good care of we will not stop praying for the growth of the party.”
On his part, Mr Ralph Obi Okoh from Ward 7 disclosed how he joined efforts to bring PDP to Ika South in 1998 and the various roles he has played so far towards the success story of the party. He said that he is one of the popular PDP leaders in Ika South and can raise hundreds of supporters in a twinkle of an eye, yet his efforts and sacrifices for the party are not appreciated either through appointment or contract. He urged members of the Delta North Reconciliation Committee to take his message to the governor, noting that every work man deserves a pay.
Also, Comrade Christopher Ogala in his remark called for speedy implementation of the findings of the Reconciliation Committee for the best interest of the party.
For Mr. Benjamin Igumbor, “PDP should have a rallying point where serious issues will always be tackled. To him, a rallying point will address the issue of one person going to the governor to speak on issues that concern an entire local government.
On the parts of Barr Austin Bienose and Ijeoma Buzugbe, they begged members of the Reconciliation Committee to address the inequality of appointments in Ward 12. They pointed out that Ward 12 is one of the largest in Ika South in terms of number of voters, unfortunately, outside the position of a honourable Commissioner no other viable appointments has come to the ward despite the Ward’s vital roles in any PDP election.
An aggrieved member of the party from Ward 2, Mr. Kainji Obia Aluge stressed the importance of appreciating persons who have worked for the party.
He stated that he worked very hard towards the victory of the PDP in the last general elections; unfortunately, he was abandoned and was not compensated. Why decrying the nonchalant attitude of political office holders in Ika South towards rendering assistance to their people, he appealed to the Reconciliation Committee to address the issues before her effectively, adding, “I am appealing that the Delta North Reconciliation Committee led by Rt. Hon Prince Sam Obi to work and come up with a good result, so that it will be said that the development of Ika South henceforth, was the outcome of the Delta North Reconciliation Committee.”
Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Political Matters, Hon Godwin Ezedom in his remark thanked Rt. Hon Prince Sam Obi and members of his Committee for the selfless efforts they are making to build a better and stronger PDP. He called on top political office holders in Ika South to always remember those at the grass root. He commended the Secretary to the Delta State Government; Chiedu Ebie who he said has been rendering different forms of assistance to his people since his appointment.
Ezedom used the medium to call on the Committee to help address the poor number of polling units in Agbor-Nta, Ward 6. He asserted that voters in Agbor-Nta always pass through difficulties in any election owing to the number of polling units in the area.
“Agbor-Nta has a large number of voters; unfortunately, it has only two polling units. We passed through difficulties in any election because of the shortage of polling units. We are appealing that the polling units in Agbor-Nta be increased,” Ezedom stated.
Speaking also, member, Delta State House of Assembly Commission, Hon. (Mrs.) Cordelia Anyangwu called for the empowerment of the people who have worked for the party but have nothing to survive with. He explained that any empowerment of aggrieved members will enhance the growth of the PDP.
Pa John Nwagimeje who was one of the PDP leaders at the meeting called on political office holders in Ika South to learn how to be their brother’s keeper and support every effort aimed at moving the party forward. He advised members of the party whose stock in trade is to go to Asaba and blackmail others to desist from such act, declaring that Ika South PDP will continue to achieve success in every election if brotherly love continues.
Responding, Rt. Hon Prince Sam Obi thanked the aggrieved members for the large turn up, assuring that their submissions will be treated with urgent attention. He said his Committee is focusing on the area of empowerment of aggrieved members as Ika South is already loaded with appointments. He therefore advised political appointees in the local government to learn how to empower their people at the grass root in order to reduce the burden of empowerment from the state governor.
In his vote of thanks, the Chairman, Ika South PDP Reconciliation Committee, Dr Chukwuma O. Nwaonicha commended Rt. Hon Prince Sam Obi and members of his Committee for their visit to Ika South. He promised that his Committee will work in synergy with the Sam Obi Committee to achieve a very good result for the party.
Present at the meeting which took place at the PDP Secretariat in Agbor were members of the Ika South Local Government Reconciliation Committee led by Dr Chukwuma O. Nwaonicha, Ika South PDP executive members, Chieftains of the party and aggrieved members of the party. The Delta North Reconciliation Committee Chairman, Rt. Hon Prince Sam Obi was accompanied to the meeting by members of his Committee.
Cross section of PDP leaders
