From Taiwo Amodu, Abuja
The choice of Mr. Kingsley Esiso by Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as anointed candidate for the position of chairman of the party in the state is creating disaffection within it.
Daily Sun checks revealed that ahead of the state congress, Governor Okowa had given an assignment to certain prominent chieftains of the party to scout for a credible candidate from Delta Central, for the position of state chairman of the party.
A party source told Daily Sun that the team led by former Minister of Information, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire recommended three names: Arthur Akpowowo from Ethiope Constituency; Kingsley Esiso from Sapele Constituency and Ebenezer Okorodudu from Ughelli Constituency.
Further checks revealed that the party chieftains from Delta Central were taken aback by the governor’s choice of Kingsley Esiso whom they claimed is from Delta North.
The aggrieved party chieftains argued that the choice of Esiso was against the zoning arrangement in the party as they noted that the immediate past state chairman of the party, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi is now a Senator representing Delta North.
They further noted that the emergence of Esiso as party chieftain would mean that the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, and the Chairman of the party would be from the same Delta North.
They also expressed concern that having taken the position of governor and minister, Delta North should let go the office of state chairman of the party to Delta Central.
They further warned that the choice of Kingsley Esiso as Chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the state, would divide the erstwhile ruling party and ultimately lead to mass defections to another party.