My attention has been drawn to a mischievous and misleading news report published by APC Delta news portal www.whistleblowers.com.ng titled: “OKOWA IS NOT YOUR PUPPET, LATIMORE TO CHIEF JAMES IBORI,” widely circulated by APC social media team.
The said piece is a direct opposite of my article titled: “DESIEC DISSOLUTION PROMPTED BY DEFECTS, SHORTCOMINGS, PROPOSED BILL TO ENHANCE PROCESS IN DELTA STATE – DTHA” with a sub-rider; GOV OKOWA, CHIEF IBORI ENJOYS ROBUST FRIENDSHIP, POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS AND PARTNERS FOR 2019.
My article was a response to SaharaReporters news report alleging that His Excellency the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa is at loggerhead with our amiable leader and former Executive Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori.
The original version of my article in respect of the subject matter was published on my facebook page and widely circulated to Facebook groups and on Whattsapp groups.
Some of our party leaders including Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi commended my response at OKOWA SOLIDARITY FORUM Whattsapp group.
The general public especially PDP party faithfuls, supporters of Gov Okowa and Chief Ibori should please disregard the mischievous whistleblowers.com.ng twisted version titled “OKOWA IS NOT YOUR PUPPET, LATIMORE TO CHIEF IBORI.
PDP party faithfuls are aware that I wrote several positive and quality articles and news reports about our indefatigable leader, Chief Ibori prior to his arrival in Nigeria and till this very moment.
The love that I have for Chief Ibori is age-long and Urhobo Voice Newspapers readers can testify that I used my then column “POLITICAL PANAROMA” from 2012-2013 to substantially discuss the enormous contributions of Chief Ibori to the development of Delta State and by extension the Niger Delta region especially his advocacy for increased revenue derivation, socioeconomic and infrastructure development.
APC DELTA will continue to groan bitterly for the return of Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe to PDP for obvious reasons.
Below is the full text of my response to SaharaReporters concerning the dissolution of DESIEC:
DESIEC DISSOLUTION PROMPTED BY DEFECTS, SHORTCOMINGS, PROPOSED BILL TO ENHANCE ELECTORAL PROCESS IN DELTA STATE – DTHA.
…GOV OKOWA, CHIEF IBORI ENJOYS ROBUST FRIENDSHIP, POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS AND PARTNERS FOR 2019.
By Barrister Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe (EA Communications GOVDELTA).
The beauty of constitutional democracy is the recognition of the rule of majority and the right of minority. It follows that no matter the interests of the minority, the larger interest of the greater number of people will always prevail.
When this sound democratic principle is widely interpreted, the end result is usually reasonable justice, equity, good conscience and progressive governance; which is why representative government is the best for today’s world.
It has been observed that some online newspapers, particularly SAHARAREPORTERS recently published a report alleging that the dissolution of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DESIEC); may truncate or delay the forthcoming Council elections in the state and at the same time generate bad blood between major stakeholders in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) political family.
The report went further to allege that former governor of Delta State, His Excellency Chief James Onanefe Ibori is in cold war with incumbent governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, for what the paper described as ” for Okowa not consulting Ibori before DESIEC dissolution.”
Chief Ibori is a strong supporter of Gov Okowa and his administration and it is unfair for the opossition party in the state to use a section of the press to consistently mislead the general public. Elections are not won by irresponsible media propaganda especially when such dirty media politics do not reflect the realities on ground.
It is the constitutional duty and responsibility of the executive arm of government to ensure good governance of the state through powers, functions and responsibilities assigned to it by the constitution and other enactments.
It follows that the executive as part of its functions can initiate executive bills and it is the duty of the legislative arm of government to scrutinise such bills through relevant committees, debate and either modify, reject or pass any bill into law. The legislature can always exercise its powers without inference by the Executive arm.
In accordance with democratic principles and the constitutional powers vested on the legislature by section 4 (6) (7) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA) at a lawful session presided over by the Seapker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori and based on majority votes dissolved DESIEC, which procedurally set in motion the legislative process for the possible enactment of a new DESIEC LAW 2017.
House majority leader, Hon Tim Owhefere moved the motion for the dissolution and was ably seconded by Hon Samuel Mariere. The Speaker by the powers vested on him under section 98 (1) called for voting and the members complied under section 98 (2) of the CFRN 1999 (as amended). The process dissolving DESIEC was lawfully completed as required by the constitution and the House Rules.
The legal and constitutional implication of the procedures followed to dissolve DESIEC is that the entire people of Delta State agreed through their representatives at DTHA under the universal democratic principles of representative government.
In the light of the above, it will be out of place and at the same time mischievous for any right thinking individual, group or few number of persons to say that Gov Okowa dissolved DESIEC without consultating a former governor in the person of Chief Ibori.
It must be stated that Chief Ibori do not interfere with the day to day administration of Delta State as an ex-governor. Gov Okowa is the incumbent governor working closely and in harmony with other independent arms of government for the good governance of the state and may consult major stakeholders and party leaders on some issues where necessary.
It will be wrong to insinuate that Gov Okowa must consult ex-governors in all matters that enhances good governance before doing the needful; afterall the governor is not and will never be remote-controlled to do his job and to fulfil his campaign promises to the good people of Delta State, as captured in the SMART AGENDA blueprints.
More importantly, Hon Owhefere while moving the motion for the dissolution of DESIEC cited “Defects and Shortcomings” as some of the vital and critical reasons why DESIEC must be dissolved and referred to section 7 (1) of DESIEC LAW 2012 which gave power to the lawmakers to dissolve DESIEC whenever they deem fit.
It is hoped that the lawmakers will speed up the process so as to enable elections hold within reasonable time frame. The governor earlier assured that Caretaker Committees will not be constituted to run the Councils and his decision stands.
Okowa and Ibori are enjoying the best of political relationship and healthy friendship without any crack or misunderstanding whatsoever.
The fracas alleged in the online newspaper report is not true and should be disregarded by PDP party faithuls and supporters of Gov Okowa and Chief Ibori. Our findings revealed that the report was largely influenced by the major opposition party in the State.
It must be stated that with the kind of half-truth and unbalanced reports published recently by SaharaReporters, the online newspaper is gradually losing steam and it may soon become worthless if the trend is not checked by its management.
The DESIEC BILL 2017 when passed into Law, according to the majority leader of DTHA, Hon Tim Owhefere will further guarantee credibility and substantially enhance electoral process in the state. This is very important and should be supported and encouraged by all Deltans.
DELTA STATE IN SAFE HANDS.
