Tag: David Edevbie

2023: Edevbie absent, Oborevwori present as PDP meets with guber candidates

The national working committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday held a crucial meeting behind closed doors with governorship candidates of the party for the 2023 general election.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, the embattled governorship candidate of the PDP for Delta State was present at the meeting while Olorogun David Edevbie was absent.

Olorogun Edevbie is in court contesting the governorship ticket with Chief Oborevwpori, faulting the credential of the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.

Recall that the Court of Appeal, Abuja Judiciary Division on August 19 reserved judgment on the appeal filed by Oborevwori and the PDP.

On July 7, 2022, the Federal High Court Abuja faulted the certificates and other documents filed by Oborevwori for nomination as the governorship candidate of the PDP. In his judgment, Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Abuja High Court disqualified Oborevwori as the governorship candidate of PDP in Delta state.

Subsequently, Justice Taiwo ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP to recognise Olorogun Edevbie as the candidate of the PDP for the 2023 governorship election in the State.

The trial Judge had agreed with the plaintiff in the suit that Oborevwori ought not to be on the ballot for the PDP governorship primary election on account of supplying false and forged documents to the INEC in aid of his qualification for the governorship election.

But not satisfied with the judgement of Justice Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Oborevwori and the PDP headed to the Court of Appeal to seek redress. On August 8, 2022, the Appeal Court fixed August 19, 2022 as the date for a proper hearing of the appeal case.

At the resumed hearing at the Appeal Court, presided over by Justice Peter Ige, leading the three-member panel of the appellate court, in his ruling, reserved judgment on the appeal filed by Oborevwori after all counsels adopted their arguments.

Justice Ige disclosed that the date for judgement would be communicated to all parties involved in the case later. Being a pre-election matter, the 180 days stipulated by the Constitution for adjudication of pre-election matters as it relates to Delta state will elapse on September 5.

ALSO READ || What PDP National Chairman said after closed door meeting with guber candidates

TNG reports that all the governorship candidates of the PDP, except Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who is out of Nigeria, attended the crucial meeting of the party held at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

Before the meeting went closed doors, Oborevwori introduced himself to the sitting as the governorship candidate of the PDP for Delta.

August 24, 2022
Edevbie vs Oborevwori: What transpired in court today

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Judiciary Division today Friday heard from both parties in the appeal case between Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and Olorogun David Edevbie, a former aide to President Umar Musa Yar’Adua.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Edevbie is contesting the nomination of Oborevwori as the lawful governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 governorship election in Delta.

On July 7, 2022, the Federal High Court Abuja faulted the certificates and other documents filed by Oborevwori for nomination as the governorship candidate of the PDP. In his judgment, Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Abuja High Court disqualified Oborevwori as the governorship candidate of PDP in Delta state.

Subsequently, Justice Taiwo ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP to recognise Olorogun Edevbie as the candidate of the PDP for the 2023 governorship election in the State.

The trial Judge had agreed with the plaintiff in the suit that Oborevwori ought not to be on the ballot for the PDP governorship primary election on account of supplying false and forged documents to the INEC in aid of his qualification for the governorship election.

But not satisfied with the judgement of Justice Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Oborevwori and the PDP headed to the Court of Appeal to seek redress. On August 8, 2022, the Appeal Court fixed August 19, 2022 as the date for a proper hearing of the appeal case.

At the resumed hearing at the Appeal Court, presided over by Justice Peter Ige on Friday, counsel to Oborevwori (the appellant), Mr Damian Dodo urged the court to allow the appeal in the interest of justice, stressing that the appeal has merit. Similarly, counsel to the PDP, Mahmoud Magaji told the court to set aside the judgment of the Federal High court Abuja that disqualified his client.

Meanwhile, counsel to the defendant, Mr Eko Ejembi Eko challenged the appeal and urged the court not to entertain the matter and proceed with the judgement of the Federal High court.

ALSO READ || Oborevwori’s opponents invite Police, EFCC into certificates matter ahead appeal hearing

After all counsels adopted their arguments, Justice Ige, leading the three-member panel of the appellate court, in his ruling, reserved judgment on the appeal filed by Oborevwori. Ige disclosed that the date for judgement would be communicated to all parties involved in the case later.

TNG reports that being a pre-election matter, the 180 days stipulated by the Constitution for adjudication of election matters as it relates to Delta state will elapse on September 5.

August 19, 2022
Oborevwori’s opponents invite Police, EFCC into certificates matter ahead appeal hearing

As the Appeal Court in Abuja prepares to begin hearing on the appeal filed against the disqualification of Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, the winner of the Delta State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) guber primaries, his opponents have taken the certificates matter a notch higher.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the opponents of Chief Oborevwori have invited the Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to step into the matter.

Already, they have sent letters and visited all the schools which the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly claimed in his nomination forms to have attended.

TNG’s investigations, however, have shown that all the schools have confirmed that indeed Oborevwori was their student.

Both the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma and Delta State University, Abraka, where he did his undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Political Science, have written the two security organisations confirming that he graduated with second class upper (2:1) at the BSc level and an MSc in the same field.

Both schools also confirmed that the certificates they issued to him bore Sheriff Francis Oborevwori (Ekpoma) and Sheriff Francis O. Oborevwori (DELSU).

On the issue of the name Sheriff not being in his primary and secondary school certificates, the schools also attested to a change of name affidavit and its publication in the Observer newspapers edition of 30th January 2004.

Also, the then Principal of Oghareki Grammar School, Mr Jacob Akpodiogaga, where the Delta State House of Assembly Speaker re-enrolled for his WASC examination as an external student, when contacted also confirmed that the embattled Speaker was indeed one of those who wrote the WAEC examination in the 1998/99 session.

Recall that Oborevwori’s classmates both in secondary and primary schools had earlier confirmed that the Delta State Speaker was their classmate and those who attended Ambrose Ali University and the Delta State University recently openly said they were his classmate.

One of his classmates, Chief Mrs Rasheeda Egbedi vividly recalls their university days at Ekpoma in an interview, giving a clear description of the Speaker.

TNG recalls that the PDP guber primaries which the Delta Speaker convincingly won have been a subject of litigation over an alleged certificate scam.

Also recall that last July, the court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, held that Oborevwori lacked the legal competence to participate in the election.

The verdict followed a suit that was brought before the court by an aggrieved member of the party, Mr Olorogun Edevbie.

TNG reports the Court of Appeal will be sitting on August 19th for a proper hearing of the case.

August 11, 2022
Edevbie vs Oborevwori: Appeal Court fixes date for proper hearing

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Judiciary Division has fixed August 19, 2022 as date for proper hearing in the appeal seeking to upturn the judgement of the Federal High Court declaring Olorogun David Edevbie as the lawful and authentic candidate of the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party for the 2023 Governorship election.

At the proceeding on Monday, the Judges granted a request for the abridgement of time to enable expeditious trial. Accordingly, all the respondents have been asked to file their replies within eight days while the appellant is to respond within two days.

Recall that on July 7, 2022, the Federal High Court faulted the certificates and other documents filed by Sheriff Oborevwori for nomination as Gubernatorial candidate of the PDP and commanded both the party and INEC to immediately recognise Olorogun David Edevbie as the rightful and lawful candidate of the party for the forthcoming election.

August 8, 2022
Oborevwori’s candidacy: We’ve been asked to wait for final outcome of court process – Delta PDP Chairman

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State has been asked by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to wait for the final outcome of court processes before it published the personal particulars of the candidates it nominated for the 2023 governorship election in the State.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Chairman of the PDP in Delta, Barr Kingsley Esiso made this known at a mega rally of the party that was held at Ozoro University Stadium in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of the State on Saturday.

This translate to mean the PDP has no candidate for the 2023 governorship election in Delta. However, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori had won the governorship primary election conducted by the party in May. A court nullified Oborevwori’s victory and INEC has asked the party to wait.

Notwithstanding, Barr. Esiso revealed that the court’s judgement has nothing to do with the integrity and credibility of the primary election.

The Delta PDP Chairman vowed that the party will defend the outcome of that primary election. He further expressed conviction that at the end of the day, the party and party faithful will have a course to smile.

Esiso said: “Few weeks ago, our party conducted one of the freest and fairest governorship primaries in Delta State and in that primaries, a candidate emerge and our party has dutifully submitted the name of that candidate.

“As a responsible and respectable party, having conducted a free, fair and credible election it is our responsibility to stand and defend the outcome of that primaries. As I speak, the issue before the court has nothing to do with the integrity and credibility of that primaries.

“But I want to say because our party is responsible, that it is the constitutional right, and that right is also backed by the electoral act, of anybody, who feel aggrieved to approach the court. We are not against anybody, therefore, approaching the court.

“But we must also know that if you approached the court and the court gives you judgement, the man you took to court also have the constitutional right to appeal the judgement.

“By the action of INEC yesterday, all we have been told, and that is what we standby, is that PDP Delta should wait for the final outcome of the court process. We have been told by the court, and INEC has reenforced it, that Deltans should wait patiently for the outcome of the process of the court.

“So by the time the court delivers the final outcome of their enquiries, PDP being a responsible and respectable party, we are waiting patiently. But I can assure you ladies and gentlemen that God is not asleep. So, I am very convinced that at the end of the day, we will have a course to smile”.

TNG recalls that the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly had in May won the governorship primary of the PDP for the 2023 gubernatorial election in the State. Oborevwori polled a total of 590 votes to beat his closest rival, former Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief David Edevbie, who scored a total of 113 votes.

Other aspirants are Deputy Gov. Kingsley Otuaro who scored nine votes and the immediate past Attoney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Mrakpor who also polled nine votes. Sen. James Manager (83); Mr Fred Majemite (six); Ejaife Odebala (three); Chief Abel Esievo, (two); Dr Braduce Angozi; ( two ); Sir Bright Onajefe-Gift, ( three); Mr Chris Iyowaye, ( zero); Lucky Idike, (one); and Chief Ikie Agbarianovwe scored no vote.

However, a former Minister of Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, who was also cleared by the party to run backed out of the primary.

Not satisfied with the outcome of the primary election, Chief Edevbie had taken Oborevwori to court to challenge the disparities in his name and the credentials he submitted to INEC.

On July 7, the Federal High Court, Abuja disqualified Oborevwori from contesting the 2023 election. Delivering judgment, Justice Taiwo Taiwo held that Oborevwori lacked the legal competence to participate in the election.

The judge held that the suit had merit and accordingly granted the reliefs sought by Edevbie against Oborevwori.

Justice Taiwo agreed with the plaintiff that Oborevwori ought not to be on the 2023 governorship election for the PDP on account of allegedly supplying false and forged documents to the INEC in aid of his qualification for the governorship election.

The judge directed INEC and the PDP to recognize Edevbie as candidate of the PDP in the 2023 governorship election in Delta.

Edevbie had approached the court following his grievance with the process that produced Oborevwori as the party’s governorship candidate.

It was his contention that the defendant was not validly nominated by his party.

He also held that the PDP violated both its constitution and the electoral guidelines, during its state congress that produced Oborevwori as its flag bearer for the governorship election.

He prayed the court to restrain the party from forwarding Oborevwori’s name to the INEC.

The aggrieved party member also asked the court to restrain INEC from receiving or recognising Oborevwori as the duly nominated candidate of the party for the election.

The plaintiff also sought an order to restrain Oborevwori from parading or carrying himself as the governorship candidate of the PDP in the state.

Oborevwori who is the Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly had emerged governorship candidate of the PDP in the May 25 primary election of the PDP.

Edevbie, who came second in the primary, however, contended Oborevwori’s participation in the primary on the grounds of alleged discrepancies in his academic qualifications as well as his age.

He specifically urged the court to bar PDP from submitting Oborevwori’s name as the flag bearer of the party.

He listed Oborevwori, PDP and INEC as 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/795/2022.

He said that the PDP candidate had used the names Oborevwori Sheriff Francis Orohwedor interchangeably in his certificates submitted to INEC.

One of reliefs sought by the plaintiff was a declaration that Oborevwori was not qualified to participate and/or be declared the winner of the PDP Delta governorship primary elections which held on May 25.

He also asked the court to declare that having supplied false information and submitted dubious or forged credentials/certificates in order to participate in and be declared the winner of PDP Delta governorship primary elections, PDP should not submit Oborevwori’s name to INEC as it flag bearer.

“A declaration that the plaintiff who, next to the ineligible and unqualified 1st defendant, scored the highest number of valid votes cast at the Delta governorship primary elections, ought to and should be returned and declared the winner and returned as the candidate of the PDP for the governorship elections in Delta scheduled to hold on March 11, 2023.

“A declaration that the 1st defendant should and ought to be prohibited, inhibited, prevented or otherwise restrained from holding out, parading and or advertising himself as the candidate of the 2nd Defendant for the forthcoming Gubernatorial elections in Delta State scheduled to hold on 11th March, 2023 by the 3rd Defendant.

“An order of court commanding, directing or otherwise mandating the 2nd and 3rd defendants to replace, forthwith, the name of the 1st defendant with that of the plaintiff as the lawful candidate of the 2nd defendant for the gubernatorial elections in Delta.

The judge granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff except relief four which sought the prohibition, inhibition, prevention or otherwise restraining Oborevwori from holding out, parading and or advertising himself as the candidate of the PDP for the governorship election

TNG reports the Oborevwori and the PDP had appealed the court judgement.

July 23, 2022
2023: Delta PDP urges calm as court disqualifies Oborevwori

The leadership of the People Democratic Party in Delta state has enjoined the party’s teeming supporters and loyal party faithful to remain calm, unperturbed, and law-abiding, over the court judgement against the candidacy of Sheriff Oborevwori as its flag bearer in the 2023 governorship elections.

In a statement reacting to the judgment, the Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza
assured them that “we are quite confident in our conviction, that justice will be done and we will get judgement at the Appellate Court.”

The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja had earlier in the day disqualified the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta, Olorogun Sherrif Oborevwori, from contesting the 2023 election.

Delivering judgment in a suit filed by Olorogun David Edevbie, Justice Taiwo Taiwo held that Oborevwori lacked the legal competence to participate in the election.

The judge held that the suit had merit and accordingly granted the reliefs sought by Edevbie against Oborevwori.

Justice Taiwo agreed with the plaintiff that oborevwori, ought not to be on the 2023 governorship election for the PDP on account of allegedly supplying false and forged documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the governorship election.

The judge directed INEC and the PDP to recognize Edevbie as candidate of the PDP in the 2023 governorship election in Delta.

Edevbie had approached the court following his grievance with the process that produced Oborevwori as the party’s governorship candidate.

It was his contention that the defendant was not validly nominated by his party.

He also held that the PDP violated both its constitution and the electoral guidelines, during its state congress that produced Oborevwori as its flag bearer for the governorship election.

He prayed the court to restrain the party from forwarding Oborevwori’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The aggrieved party member also asked the court to restrain INEC from receiving or recognising Oborevwori as the duly nominated candidate of the party for the election.

The plaintiff also sought an order to restrain Oborevwori from parading or carrying himself as the governorship candidate of the PDP in the state.

Oborevwori who is the Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly had emerged governorship candidate of the PDP in the May 25 primary election of the PDP.

Edevbie, who came second in the primary, however, contended Oborevwori’s participation in the primary on the grounds of alleged discrepancies in his academic qualifications as well as his age.

He specifically urged the court to bar PDP from submitting Oborevwori’s name as the flag bearer of the party.

He listed Oborevwori, PDP and INEC as 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/795/2022.

He said that the PDP candidate had used the names Oborevwori Sheriff Francis Orohwedor interchangeably in his certificates submitted to INEC.

One of reliefs sought by the plaintiff was a declaration that Oborevwori was not qualified to participate and/or be declared the winner of the PDP Delta governorship primary elections which held on May 25.

He also asked the court to declare that having supplied false information and submitted dubious or forged credentials/certificates in order to participate in and be declared the winner of PDP Delta governorship primary elections, PDP should not submit Oborevwori’s name to INEC as it flag bearer.

“A declaration that the plaintiff who, next to the ineligible and unqualified 1st defendant, scored the highest number of valid votes cast at the Delta governorship primary elections, ought to and should be returned and declared the winner and returned as the candidate of the PDP for the governorship elections in Delta scheduled to hold on March 11, 2023.

“A declaration that the 1st defendant should and ought to be prohibited, inhibited, prevented or otherwise restrained from holding out, parading and or advertising himself as the candidate of the 2nd Defendant for the forthcoming Gubernatorial elections in Delta State scheduled to hold on 11th March, 2023 by the 3rd Defendant.

“An order of court commanding, directing or otherwise mandating the 2nd and 3rd defendants to replace, forthwith, the name of the 1st defendant with that of the plaintiff as the lawful candidate of the 2nd defendant for the gubernatorial elections in Delta.

The judge granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff except relief four which sought the prohibition, inhibition, prevention or otherwise restraining Oborevwori from holding out, parading and or advertising himself as the candidate of the PDP for the governorship election.

PDP urges calm

The leadership of the People Democratic Party in Delta state has enjoined the party’s teeming supporters and loyal party faithful to remain calm, unperturbed, and law-abiding.

This was contained in a statement released by the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza, reacting to the judgment.

The statement reads: “Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has received the judgement of an Abuja Federal High Court, against our Gubernatorial Candidate for the 2023 general elections, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on the grounds of discrepancies in his documents.

“We have already engaged our team of legal experts to critically study the ruling and explore grounds on which we can confidently approach the Court of Appeal.

“We want to therefore enjoin our teeming supporters and loyal party faithful to remain calm, unperturbed, and law-abiding, and assure them that we are quite confident in our conviction, that justice will be done and we will get judgement at the Appellate Court. There is no cause for alarm”.

Sherrif Oborevwori reacts, says no cause for alarm

Meanwhile, Oborevwori has reacted to the court judgment sacking him as the governorship candidate in Delta.

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly called on all his supporters to remain calm over the Judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja in respect of the Wednesday, May 25th Primaries he won.

Today, Thursday, July 8th, 2022, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja passed a judgement against the candidacy of Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for the 2023 gubernatorial elections in Delta State.

In a Press Statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Dennis Otu, the Speaker called on all his supporters and indeed all Deltans to remain calm and steadfast in the face of the Judgement, saying that there was no cause for alarm.

According to the Statement; “I wish to appeal to all my supporters, political associates and well wishers to remain calm and law abiding over the Judgement of the Federal Court. There is no need to panic, all is well. We will certainly appeal the Judgement and so let us maintain the peace as all hope is not lost. All is well and it will end in praise to the Glory of God Almighty.

“The courts have always been part of our democratic experience ,and our confidence in the judiciary which is the last hope of the common man is unwaivering. So , as we embark on the appeal process, our supporters and indeed Deltans should kindly note and be rest assured that Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orhowedor Oborevwori remains the Gubernatorial Flag Bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State for the 2023 general Elections. The Sherrification Movement is well and alive and, by God’s grace, we shall overcome”, he added.

“Once again, I want to appreciate God Almighty for giving us victory at all times, and we will certainly not stop praying for more victories because Delta State is in God’s hands and be reassured that He will take us to the Promised Land at the end of the day. We also wish to thank our teaming supporters for their steadfastness”, the Speaker said.

July 8, 2022
Delta Guber: Edevbie ask court to bar PDP from parading Oborevwori as party’s flag bearer

David Edevbie has asked an Abuja Federal High Court to stop Peoples Democratic Party, PDP from parading Sheriff Oborevwori as the guber flag bearer of Delta State in next year’s general election.

TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls Delta State PDP Governorship primary, Oborevwori was hit by alleged irregularities.

Based on these alleged infractions, David Edevbie approached the court for an interim injunction restraining the PDP from forwarding Oborevwori’s name to INEC.

Sitting in the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on June 14, Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo accordingly ordered that Oborevwori must file a defence within seven days to show cause, to why the prayers sought, should not be granted.

The court also granted Edevbie’s prayers for substituted service, by way of a publication in a national newspaper, to the first defendant, Mr. Oborevwori, and further ordered that parties are not to do anything that will affect the reliefs sought till after the hearing.

Further hearing for the case has been fixed for June 22.

June 15, 2022
Edevbie reacts after losing PDP guber ticket to Oborevwori

Former Chief of Staff, Government House, Asaba, Delta State, Olorogun David Edevbie has reacted after losing the State governorship ticket of the PDP to Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, Speaker of State House of Assembly.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Edevbie as saying though the outcome of the PDP governorship primary election was not favourable to him, he is humbled by the immense goodwill shown to me across the entire State.

Edevbie states: “After several months of consultations and crisscrossing the length and breadth of our dear State, the Delta State PDP Governorship Primary was finally held today May 25.

“Though the result was unfavourable, I am humbled by the immense goodwill shown to me across the entire State. I thank all Deltans and members of our Party, particularly the youth, for your enthusiasm and support through the process.

“We are driven by the vision and a strong passion for the development of our dear State, and we remain encouraged that most Deltans share in this vision.

“Though several unsavoury factors came into play in our politics, particularly over the last few months, we remain steadfast in our aspiration for a modernised Delta to be bequeathed to the next generation.

“Once again, thank you, Deltans and may God bless our State”.

Recall that Oborevwori emerged winner of the governorship primary that was conducted by the PDP on Wednesday for the 2023 general election.

The Speaker polled a total of 590 votes to beat Edevbie, who scored a total of 113 votes.

Other aspirants are Deputy Gov. Kingsley Otuaro who scored nine votes and the immediate past Attoney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Mrakpor who also polled nine votes.

Sen. James Manager (83); Mr Fred Majemite (six); Ejaife Odebala (three); Chief Abel Esievo, (two); Dr Braduce Angozi; ( two ); Sir Bright Onajefe-Gift, ( three); Mr Chris Iyowaye, ( zero); Lucky Idike, (one); and Chief Ikie Agbarianovwe scored no vote.

However, a former Minister of Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, who was also cleared by the party to run backed out of the primary.

The PDP Returning Officer, Mr Ndubisi Nwobu and his team, while declaring the result, announced Oborevwori winner for scoring the highest number of votes in the primary election.

According to him, the elections committee accredited a total of 824 delegates for the primary elections but 822 votes were cast with three void votes.

“By the power conferred on me as the Party Returning officer for the Delta State PDP Governorship Primaries for 2023, I hereby declare Mr Sheriff Oborevwori winner for scoring the highest number of votes in the election.

“Oborevwori scored a total of 590 out of 821 valid votes to emerge winner and he is hereby returned as the Delta PDP candidate for the 2023 general election.”

May 26, 2022
“A Stitch In Time Saves Nine” – By Richard Iyede

By Dr Richard Tiki Iyede

A compendium of controversies has trailed the decision of the Urhobo Progress Union’s (UPU) endorsement of Olorogun David Edebvie for the 2023 PDP Gubernatorial primaries. For information purposes, UPU is a non-profit, umbrella body and the mouthpiece of all Urhobo people around the globe which was established in 1931 under the auspices of Urhobo merchants, irredentists, and advocates in order to foster cooperation, unity, welfare, and protection of the Urhobo people’s shared values and traditions. UPU is the oldest socio-cultural union in Nigeria and second in Africa (second to the Africa National Congress of South Africa (ANC)) and has acted as a key stabilizer of the Niger Delta and Nigerian Federation. Therefore, due respect must be accorded to this vibrant, robust and highly respected ethnic organisation in Nigeria. I salute UPU for summoning such courage to make the right decision to save the Urhobo nation.

I am profoundly perturbed and perplexed to read anthologies of published articles and numerous social media platforms sponsored by external and internal Urhobo enemies, which have been mainstreamed locally and globally; basically founded on delusion and deceit in an attempt to blackmail, rubbish and denigrate UPU. Those wisenheimers, political gladiators and jobbers involved in such calumny, cynicism and unwarranted derogatory statements towards UPU’s informed decision on Olorogun Edevbie should be condemned by all well-meaning Urhobo people.

The decision of UPU to support Olorogun David Edevbie as the sole Urhobo PDP candidate is exceptional, irreproachable, clever and timely. It was a conscious decision to support one Urhobo candidate in order to mitigate the Urhobo nation from plunging into oblivion. So, we should be cautious about smear campaigns and focus more on constructive criticisms and avoid beating a sword into ploughshares. Candidly, the decision taken by UPU was not myopic but consulted various stakeholders: Urhobo Kings, UPU Presidents, Kingdoms’ President Generals, UPU registered branches, Urhobo political bigwigs and acumen, Urhobo business tycoons and industrialists, Urhobo youths, women, associations and other Urhobo personalities in the world, including the governorship aspirants. In addition, UPU realised that a bulk of the Urhobo Governorship aspirants are being sponsored by people outside the Urhobo nation in a desperate attempt to destabilise Urhobo block votes. It is laughable, regrettable and parochial that Olorogun David Edebvie’s endorsement by UPU is based on financial inducements, gratifications and nepotism. For clarification, Olorogun (Dr.) Moses Taiga, the President of UPU worldwide, is a billionaire with multiple functional companies across the globe and other signatories of the UPU decision are well-off individuals who are successful in their various endeavours.

UPU’s choice is not politically motivated or influenced but holistically grounded on neutrality and aimed towards the unity and harmony of the Urhobo nation with the following key parameters as the fulcrum and guiding principles after due and rigorous assessment of all the Urhobo PDP aspirants:
 Experience
 Probity
 Qualification
 Competence
 Intellectual Capacity
 Exposure
 Popularity
 Civility
 Understanding the Delicacies of the Job
 Human and Resource Management
 Altruism and Humanitarianism
 Poised with Developmental Infrastructure/Industrialisation
 Penchant in Meritocracy, Impartiality and Fairness
 More Appealing/approachable to other Ethnic Groups in Delta State

Fortunately, Olorogun David Edevbie ticks excellently in all the above criteria for assessments and UPU has no other alternative than to act decisively.

Permit me to recap or chronicle Olorogun Edevbie’s career journey based on my little knowledge about his biodata that necessitated and justified the decision of UPU:

Olorogun David Edevbie graduated from the University of Lagos as an Economist in 1985, and after Youth Corps, he proceeded to the United Kingdom for further studies. He schooled at the Cardiff Business School, the University of Wales, between 1987 and 1988, where he attained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in International Corporate Finance.

Olorogun Edevbie worked in Barclays Bank Plc in London as a trainee immediately after his academic studies. Within a short time, he advanced through a series of qualifying programmes resulting in his admission to the Associate of Chartered Institute of Bankers (England & Wales) in 1990. Concurrently, he became a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Due to his intellectual capability, he progressed rapidly to the position of Manager’s Assistant, Corporate lending.

In pursuit of career advancement as a prospective young man, Olorogun Edevbie hooked up with Hill Samuel, a traditional U.K. Merchant Bank, as an Investment Banking Executive. He used his vast experience to optimise the processes that led to bottom-line savings. As a result of his proven financial managerial prowess, Olorogun Edevbie was moved to the Commercial Banking arm of the bank. He rose to the position of Manager, Corporate Recoveries Department. During this period, Olorogun David managed a whopping £60 million (N36 billion) portfolio of bad and non-performing loans, developing, implementing, and monitoring appropriate recovery strategies.

In March 1995, he was engaged with Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC), UK (now known as ACTIS) as an Investment Officer responsible for the Asia and Pacific Regions; he assisted in building their economies. In 1996, he was promoted to Deputy Country Head, CDC Philippines, and was responsible for setting up their office in Manila. In the same vein, he was in charge of developing new business opportunities and managed a portfolio of loans, quasi-equity and equity investments valued at about $200m (N95 billion). He represented CDC on the boards of several investee companies, such as power, telecommunications, and venture capital companies. A few years later, Olorogun Edevbie was promoted to investment manager after returning to CDC in London.

As a result of his plethora of experience in multiple sectors, Olorogun Edevbie was convinced to return home and was appointed in June 1999 as Honourable Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning by the Governor to transpose his expertise into Delta State Government economic planning for efficiency. With a passion for improvement, Olorogun Edevbie re-engineered the finance and cash management systems, leading to the timely preparation and publication of the Delta State Governments Audited Accounts – the first State in the Country to do so. Similarly, he developed and implemented the government’s privatization policy and established the highly successful Delta State Small Business Loan Guarantee Scheme and other States followed suit. At the end of their first tenure in 2003, David Edevbie attended the prestigious Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program (AMP) to prepare himself for higher profile duties. On the fulfilment of the programme, David was reappointed as Commissioner of Finance and remained in office until November 2005.

In 2006, Olorogun Edevbie was co-opted into PDP’s presidential campaign team as Director of Finance and Strategy by Governor Umaru Musa Yar’Adua due to his interpersonal and analytical skillset. In recognition of his significant and explicit role exhibited in the presidential campaign organisation, Olorogun Edevbie was appointed Principal Secretary to the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Olorogun Edevbie also played a crucial role in developing and implementing several policy initiatives, including the Niger Delta Amnesty Program; the establishment of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC); the creation of the Ministry of Niger Delta; the introduction of the Land Reform and Petroleum Industry Bills; dredging of the lower River Niger; National Railway development program; Civil Service and Electoral Reforms. Olorogun Edevbie remained in this role until President Yar’Adua’s death in April 2010.

Following Olorogun Edevbie’s resignation as the Principal Secretary, he became the Principal Consultant at AvantGarde Financial Consultants, an indigenous consulting firm focused on providing world-class project finance advice and monitoring services. In September 2015, Olorogun Edevbie was reappointed as the Honourable Commissioner of Finance, Delta State and was later redeployed as Chief of Staff to the Governor of Delta State from 2019 to 2021 until he was wooed by concerned Deltans to vie for the Delta State Gubernatorial position.

A nation that believes in advancement cannot ignore the above startling and sterling accomplishments. A man with such dynamism and vibrancy with overwhelming charisma coupled with hands-on experience has enough capacity to manage the State’s economy and diversity. The fact remains that it is one aspirant that will be the PDP flagbearer.

It is worthy to observe that the political scene so far has been peaceful. I sincerely appreciate all the Urhobo aspirants for their maturity, wisdom and humility during the current electioneering process irrespective of UPU endorsement. I want to appeal to the other Urhobo PDP candidates to shun resentment and seek a peaceful resolution of this issue instead of going to the contest to divide Urhobo votes. They should think ‘Urhobo First’ against personal aggrandisement. I also use this media to appeal to Dr Okowa and the other two Delta State Senatorial districts to respect the sanctitude and inalienability of the PDP rotational arrangement that has snowballed peaceful co-existence in Delta State. Any deviation from this gentleman’s agreement will lead to mutual distrust, surmounting and dismantling PDP political structures, and it will be a big challenge to rejig.

In a nutshell, this is a clarion call to Urhobo people to be more united to fight against the evil forces trying to trample upon our existence as a nation. We must use our concerted efforts and synergies to explore all avenues to confront this evil machination against the Urhobo nation and to ensure that the next Governor is from Urhobo extraction. UPU appealed profusely to all the political parties in Delta State to field Urhobo person as sole candidate of their varied parties, not PDP alone. So why the condemnation? Politicians just took UPU decision on Olorugun Edevbie out of context.

“The delegates who are my supporters, who believe in me for youths’ empowerment, women’s empowerment, education empowerment, viable infrastructures and less privileged upliftment – this is my wholehearted position.”

‘A Luta Continua’

Long Live Urhobo Nation!
Long Live Delta State!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Chief (Dr.) Richard Tiki Iyede, the Ebe-Agwhare of Udu Kingdom, the Akpoteheri of Agbon Kingdom, the President of UPU Ireland and the President of Urhobo United Assembly.

I come in peace and joy!!!

May 17, 2022
David Edevbie as UPU choice for Governor – By Obaro Ikibe

By Sir Obaro Ikibe

When a man driven by passion and impeccable commitment to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people steps into the foray of politics, he sends jittery into the spines of mediocres and joy into the hearts of the people. Though some political renegades may devise devilish means to discredit his visions and missions to the service of the people, the people not only pray and support his ambition, they stick their neck to see that such ambitions are realised. I dare say that since Olorogun David Edevbie heeded the call by well-intentioned Deltans to contest for the Governorship position of Delta State in the forthcoming elections, some political camps in the state with desperate ambitions have not been comfortable. They are not only frightened by his towering and intimidating pedigree in public service but afraid of the overwhelming supports he has got from the length and breadth of the state.

The recent public endorsement of Olorogun David Edevbie as the CHOICE of the Urhobo in the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) by the UPU, the oldest socio-cultural organisation in Africa is a further testimony to his general acceptance by the entire Urhobo nation. Since the PDP governorship primary is not an exclusive Urhobo affair, UPU has by this move demonstrated that there is the need for the Urhobo people to produce a unified candidate in the forthcoming governorship elections in the state. This move is borne out of the genuine desire to put Urhobo in a strong standing to contest and win the PDP ticket at the primaries. This is not the time for the Urhobo to play into the hands of those who do not wish them well. How does one explain the Urhobos going into a party primary with over ten aspirants against another ethnic group projecting just three?

However, instead of applause and commendation to the UPU heroic move, we read with both constellation and disgust some of the negative commentaries trailing the heroic endorsement of Chief David Edevbie by the UPU in both the social and print media. The bizarre of them all is the outlandish display of ‘low-self-esteem’ by the eight LGA chairmen of Delta Central who, acting on an orchestrated script by Okowa, danced naked under the rain. I bet you, by this move, others would be watching the Urhobos with an enthusiastic curiosity.

What UPU has done is to show a direction for the Urhobo in the face of obvious disequilibrium among the political players from Delta Central. With the plethora of aspirants from Delta Central, many of whom are sponsored by Okowa to cause disunity among the Urhobos, the Urhobos must device a means to avoid disgrace at the PDP primaries. At the last count, ten aspirants from Delta Central have bought forms for the governorship race and three from Delta South. Should they go to the primaries with this number, the Urhobos would have unknowingly perfected Okowa’s hidden agenda to handover the PDP ticket to an Ijaw candidate with Mrs Joan Oyemechi Mrakpor as deputy to spite the Urhobos.

The precarious position the Urhobo currently find themselves in Delta State is the selfish and unpatriotic anglings of the Urhobo political class. In this current political quagmire where the politicians no longer think of the Urhobo collective aspiration but self-interest what has the political class done to reduce the numbers of aspirants to present a strong and united front at the forthcoming primaries? If the political class have failed in this regard shouldn’t the UPU, the umbrella body of the entire Urhobo worldwide steps into the arena to create equilibrium? How can one entrust the Urhobo destiny to an Urhobo political class who eat today that tomorrow may die? A political class that has stooped so low because of party politics to say: “anywhere Okowa go, we go!”

Besides, none of the media comments that trailed the UPU endorsement of Chief David Edevbie ever said anything about his capacity and visions for the overall development of Delta State and compare same with other Urhobo aspirants. It should be well stated here that of all the Urhobo aspirants who went through the DC-23screening which pruned down the aspirants to three and finally the UPU screening that settled on Olorogun David Edevbie, there is none more qualified than him. UPU should therefore be commended for being meticulous. Olorogun David Edevbie is a man with integrity, a young Urhobo patriot who has got the political endorsement of the entire citizens of Delta state to contest for the governorship post of the state. His track records as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Panning in the Ibori administration and as Principal Secretary to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and as Commissioner for Finance and Chief of Staff to Governor Okowa are there for all to see. Emu oyoyovwi shẹ oma rọye (Good product advertises itself) an Urhobo proverb says. If for nothing, the Amnesty Programme and the Ministry of Niger Delta which he initiated in the Yar’Adua’s administration are enough for the entire Urhobo nation and indeed Deltans to support his ambition to govern the state. It should be well sounded here that no matter the tactics of some irresponsible Urhobo political opportunists to drag him down, the desire of the people of Delta state to choose a leader who will re-invent and advance their collective aspirations cannot be trampled upon.

Moreover, the belief that the person who will become the governor of Delta state in the 2023 election will be determined solely by the incumbent governor alone is erroneous. The role of the people in choosing their leaders should not be downplayed. The people of Delta state are in dire need of a detribalise leader, one who has the plight of the people at heart, one who will use power in a manner that it brings happiness to the populace, one with a vision to build on the legacy of his predecessors and one with efficient organisational skills and positive attitudes towards the upliftment of the standard of living of the people. This is therefore a clarion call to all delegates to put Delta first in their choice for a governorship candidate in the forthcoming primaries.

Sir Obaro Ikibe, writes from Ughelli

April 30, 2022