The surprises that are associated with partisan politics have played out again in Delta state.
The conspiracy that has been trailing the senatorial and governorship races yesterday turned the gauntlets of the oil rich state into bewilderment.
The whereabouts of the Peoples Democratic Party’s National Assembly Primary Election Panel posted for the Delta North Senatorial race were no where to be found as at 5pm on Sunday.
The Cenotaph in Asaba, billed for the exercise, was like a graveyard except for the presence of stern looking conventional and unconventional security agents.
None of the contestants and delegates for the race were present.
Although, the state chapter of the party two days ago rejected the selection of the panel members posted to the state for the exercise, which included one Pere Egbe Ganfo (chairman), Edith Uso (Secretary) and Hon. Benard Ochepe (member), hundreds of policemen that were drafted to the venue to maintain law and order in the showdown between the former state chairman of the party, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, and wife of the former National Chairman of the party, Dr. Marian Nneamaka Ali, left with disappointment.
Journalists were not only left in the dark about the new twist, those that stormed the state from the neighbouring Onitsha, Anambra State to join forces with their colleagues in Asaba, also left with great nostalgia.
Obviously, the failed contest prevented the duo of Nwaoboshi and Ali, from showing their political muscle.
Besides Nwaoboshi and Ali, a former Commissioner to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Chief Paul Osaji, and two former House of Representatives members, Hon. Doris Uboh and Chief Pascal Adigwe, are in the race.
While speculation was rife that the outgoing Governor Uduaghan, who dropped his senatorial bid last week, has withdrawn his backing from a leading governorship aspirant, Sir Tony Obuh, the plot to return Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to the Senate overwhelmed other calculations.
Meanwhile, the country-homes of two of Obuh’s counterparts, Ovie Omo-Agege and Olorogun David Edevie, have become a marketplace.
Hundreds of supporters have besieged their houses in Ughelli axis of the state, congratulating them for emerging as the consensus governorship candidate of the party.
The uproar trailing the development has allegedly thrown Obuh’s Campaign Organization into bafflement.
But when contacted, Obuh who was optimistic of coasting to victory at the primary election said it was the figment of imagination of those peddling the rumour.
According to him, detractors would not desist from witch hunting him until he is declared as the flag-bearer of the party today (Monday).
He said: “That is mischievous. I am very much in the race. My enemies are at work and they will remain unrelenting until my victory is declared tomorrow. I think they are in a better position to step-down for me.”
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