The Battle For Delta State Governorship Re-run

*The Forces Against Emmanuel Uduaghan

Following his sudden sack, last week, by the Appeal Court, Benin division, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has joined the list of PDP governors who have had their elections upturned through judicial pronouncements bothering on the genuineness of their victory at the polls.

The unanimous decision delivered by the five-man panel, led by Justice Mensah nullified Uduaghan's election on the grounds of gross irregularities, massive rigging and violation of the 2006 Electoral Act, and consequently ordered that the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) conduct a rerun between the ousted governor, Uduaghan and the candidate of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP), Mr. Great Ogboru.

Based on the development, watchers of Delta State politics have predicted a make or mar battle between the two contenders for the coveted office, Uduaghan and Ogboru.

However, the political equation in the oil-rich state has shown increasing interests by different forces in who becomes the next governor, while high-wired consultations was said to have earnestly begun with a view to building alliances for the purpose.

Although, Uduaghan reportedly met with President Goodluck Jonathan last week on the political situation in the state and vowed to win the rerun, political pundits believe that it will not be easy for him to coast to victory.

First Weekly gathered that President Jonathan berated the governor for his long-running battle with some elders of the party led by first republic Information Commissioner, Chief Edwin Clark, while advising him to mend fence with them for the successful prosecution of his return to the Asaba, Delta State Government Office in the rerun.

On the other hand, Chief Clark, a staunch supporter of President Jonathan and champion of his return in 2011, was said to have stuck to his guns against the re-election of Uduaghan, while also calling for his arrest and prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions (EFCC). The Ijaw Leader (Clark), who fought Uduaghan's godfather and precursor in office, Mr. James Ibori to a standstill has equally been in the trenches against the ousted governor, whom he claimed is the vestige of the Ibori political dynasty in Delta State.

It will be recalled that the National Working Committee of the PDP had directed that its local chapter in Delta State dissolve its exco and conduct a fresh congress that would be all-inclusive of the different political interests therein.

The instruction, which was rebuffed by the Uduaghan's group but supported by the Clark's group was initially calculated as a determinant on whether Uduaghan would get the PDP ticket for a second term of office or not. While Uduaghan before his ouster was frantically working to secure his political future, Chief Clark was said to have favoured another governorship aspirant, Mr. Omo-Agege, who recently defected to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), for the 2011 governorship election.

Moreover, we gathered that the verdict of the Appeal tribunal has elicited mixed reactions and suspicion in the state. Though, the judgment was greeted with jubilations from oppositions against Uduaghan, they equally expressed reservations that it might have been procured by Uduaghan in order to get an elongated tenure in office, which might have been a mirage considering the hostility of the Clark group.

Also, First Weekly learnt that President Jonathan might have considered heading on a collision course against Chief Clark a risky venture if he continues to profess support for Uduaghan's re-election, and might eventually give in to the wishes of the old war horse (Clark), but at the detriment of Uduaghan.

At the moment, we were hinted that the PDP hierarchy has initiated a move to reconcile the warring factions with a view to giving the party victory at the rerun, but those who should know said that it might be impossible to achieve.

On his own part, the billionaire fish magnate, Chief Great Ogboru, who came into national consciousness during the military regime of President Ibrahim Babangida as suspected sponsor of a coup led by Major Gideon Okar, has vowed to stop Uduaghan from winning the rerun.

The contest, which has assumed an ethnic colouration in the state, is perceived as an opportunity for the Delta Ibos to have a shot at the political commanding height of the state. Ogboru, from Abraka, is seen as the one who may likely achieve the feat for the Delta Ibos against the Itshekiri born, Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Some political pundits have predicted an alliance between Ogboru and the Clark group based on the understanding that if he gets the needed support he would take the Ikedi Ohakim option of defecting from his party to the PDP.

As it is, Deltans and, indeed, Nigerians are waiting on INEC with bated breath to see its readiness at conducting a free, fair and credible election, while the contenders are literally perfecting their plans to see who carries the day eventually.

November 12, 2010