TheCable

Militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has proven that he is fully in control of the Delta state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Tompolo, who facilitated the emergence of Ifeanyi Okowa as the gubernatorial candidate of the party in the state, also made sure that Kingsley Otuaro, the commissioner representing the Ijaw ethnicity nationality at the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), was named as Okowa’s running mate.

TheCable earlier reported that Tompolo, who also influenced Otuaro’s appointment at DESOPADEC, was tipping him as Okowa’s running mate.

Aggrieved political leaders in the Delta south senatorial district, where the deputy governorship slot was zoned to, had  mounted stiff opposition against the choice of the former commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

Delta south comprises Ijaw, Isoko, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic groups.

Apart from Itsekiri, where Emmanuel Uduaghan, the incumbent governor hails from, the two other ethnic groups besides Ijaw, were alleging discrimination.

While the Urhobos felt that they ought to produce the next governor, the Isokos maintained that they deserved the deputy governorship slot.

An Isoko community leader speaking on behalf of the ethnic group told TheCable that apart from Isoko, his people would not accept the emergence of any other candidate.

“This Delta belongs to all of us. James Manager, who is Ijaw, has been senator since 2007 and would be returning to the senate,” he had said.

“Uduaghan is Iteskiri and has been governor for eight years.  What is bad in giving us just deputy governor? We will not accept anything than to produce the next second-in-command of this state.”

While there is resentment across several communities in Delta south, Oporoza, a riverine community, which is the traditional headquarters of the Gbaramatu kingdom of the Ijaws, is in a festive mood.

A source told TheCable that inhabitants of Oporoza have been rejoicing since late last night when Otuaro was announced as the deputy governorship candidate of the ruling PDP.

As at the time of filing this report, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had not made the list of the running mates of political parties available to the public.

But a staff of the commission, who did not want to be named, said the list would be made available to the public around 7pm.

“As I am speaking to you now, we are at the conference room situated at the first floor right here at our headquarters,” he said.

“We started the screening the list of the candidates since 12 am on December 26, which was the deadline for submitting the list of governorship and state assemblies candidates.

“Usually, this exercise takes us two days or three days. So the list should be out hopefully by 7pm today.”