As 2019 draws nearer, politicians across the country nursing ambition
to contest for several political positions have begin consultations and
doing everything possible to win the hearts of the electorates.
In recent times, we have seen political office holders who instead of
working and ensuring the electorates in the streets they represent are
pleased with their representation, prefer to work with the elites who derive
pleasure in lying and deceiving them with a view to extorting money,
lobbying huge contracts and claiming they can direct their subjects who
to vote during elections.
In 2014, Kayode Fayemi who was then governor and governorship candidate
of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Ekiti state when he sort to be
reelected believed that having the elites by his side was a sure way to
return to government house.
He was endorsed by the APC in the state and neglected the people in the streets but never knew the greater voting power lies in the street.
At the end, what happened? He failed woefully to his major contender in the PDP who is present governor of the state, Ayodele Fayose.
We also saw what happened last year, 2016 in Kogi state where the then governor Idris Wada was abysmally swept out of office despite his endorsement by leaders of his political party in the state.
Need I remind you of the several endorsements that former President Jonathan enjoined from leaders of his party, the PDP? He was endorsed by the elites but the greater voting power of the commoners spoke at the end of the day.
In Delta state, it is believed that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is loved by the people that was why he won the 2015 governorship election in a landslide. However, it is pertinent for Governor Okowa to re-assess his popularity with the people as he clocks two years in office.
Last month, former governor James Ibori endorsed the governor and declared that nobody from Urhobo tribe is permitted to contest with him in 2019.
Just today, leaders of the Delta South Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan came together and endorsed the governor as their sole candidate for 2019.
But the questions to ask are; Did the endorsement reflect the wishes of workers in the state? Did it reflect the wish of the common man in the street?
Did it reflect the wishes of indigenes and non-indigenes alike resident in the state? These and many more are questions to ask following the governor's endorsement.
Populism is sweeping across the globe - as it happened with Brexit, Trump and other similar events, Delta state is no exception!
In my opinion, if the governor wishes to continue in office beyond 2019, he must re-assess his popularity with the people.
Collins Agwam is a Political analyst and Public affairs commentator.
agwamcollins@gmail.com
He was endorsed by the APC in the state and neglected the people in the streets but never knew the greater voting power lies in the street.
At the end, what happened? He failed woefully to his major contender in the PDP who is present governor of the state, Ayodele Fayose.
We also saw what happened last year, 2016 in Kogi state where the then governor Idris Wada was abysmally swept out of office despite his endorsement by leaders of his political party in the state.
Need I remind you of the several endorsements that former President Jonathan enjoined from leaders of his party, the PDP? He was endorsed by the elites but the greater voting power of the commoners spoke at the end of the day.
In Delta state, it is believed that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is loved by the people that was why he won the 2015 governorship election in a landslide. However, it is pertinent for Governor Okowa to re-assess his popularity with the people as he clocks two years in office.
Last month, former governor James Ibori endorsed the governor and declared that nobody from Urhobo tribe is permitted to contest with him in 2019.
Just today, leaders of the Delta South Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan came together and endorsed the governor as their sole candidate for 2019.
But the questions to ask are; Did the endorsement reflect the wishes of workers in the state? Did it reflect the wish of the common man in the street?
Did it reflect the wishes of indigenes and non-indigenes alike resident in the state? These and many more are questions to ask following the governor's endorsement.
Populism is sweeping across the globe - as it happened with Brexit, Trump and other similar events, Delta state is no exception!
In my opinion, if the governor wishes to continue in office beyond 2019, he must re-assess his popularity with the people.
Collins Agwam is a Political analyst and Public affairs commentator.
agwamcollins@gmail.com
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