The resignation of Michael Akpobire, an aide to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, has restarted the discussions about political developments in Delta State ahead of the 2023 election.
The debate is fuelled by the fact that Okowa is the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Atiku Abubakar is the flagbearer.
Akpobire’s letter dated January 5, 2022, was addressed to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
He was the Executive Assistant to Okowa on Technical Education and Chairman of the Technical Education Board.
Akpobire, a PDP chieftain in Enwhe/Okpolo Ward 9 in Isoko South Local Government Area, was formerly President of Delta State University (DELSU) Students’ Union.
In reaction, a Facebook user, Festus Tony urged “all sons and daughters” from Isoko, Urhobo, Kwale, Ijaw, Iteskiri to withdraw from the cabinet.
“That ship will collapse before the end of this month (January). If Comrade Michael Akpobire, we call the first son of Governor Okowa, can be treated badly, who else won’t suffer the same humiliation?
“Micheal suffered for this administration even when we all thought Okowa won’t scale through. They gave him an office that even a million naira allocation don’t come to.
“The wickedness Okowa showed to other ethnic groups in the State is such that none of them left their respective office or position with something tangible.
“It is payback time for Okowa. More resignations are coming. You can’t be more Governor Okowa or PDP than Michael Akpobire. He is one individual who publicly declared first for Okowa’s governorship.
“As an appointee in Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan’s administration, he took the risk to openly declare for Okowa and formed the Canaanland Movement that gathered more than 50,000 votes for the ungrateful Governor.
“Because there is no reward system in PDP, Micheal was turned into an errand boy in Okowa’s administration. People who did not stake their life and political career got juicy positions, built houses and are living large.
“Today, he is leaving the PDP in pains. Comrades should have a deep thought because many in Okowa’s camp are dying in silence. Stand up and liberate yourself from mental slavery.”
Akpobire’s exit from the State government is the latest in a gale of resignations by Okowa’s appointees.
In December, Alaowei Promise Lawuru, popularly known as ‘Master Black’, resigned from his position as Special Assistant on Security.
The former Niger Delta militant hails from Ogbinbiri community in the Warri North Local Government Area of the State.
In October, Okowa’s Senior Special Assistant on Youth Development Patrick Oghenerhoro, a.k.a. Paleke dumped the governor.
He also left the PDP and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) to work for the governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
Also in October, Onochie Osheokwu resigned as Senior Special Assistant on Youth Development.
Osheokwu said he was leaving to be fully ‘Obidient’ and support the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi.
But in an interview with DAILY POST on Sunday, Okowa’s Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika said his principal was not disturbed by the resignations.
“The governor is a good man and cannot stop anybody who wants to leave for other things.
“There are people seeking greener pastures, going to further their education, career or engage in other ventures.
“That two people resigned doesn’t mean there’s a problem. It’s normal, the governor is not worried about it”, the spokesperson added.
Last week, Omo-Agege, the Deputy Senate President, said Delta has received N4.2trillion under the Okowa administration.
The lawmaker also accused the governor of betraying the agitation for Southern presidency despite being one of the arrowheads ab initio. Okowa has denied doing so.
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