A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has said that the defection of Chief James Ibori’s daughter, Hon Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, was foreseeable and never a surprise to the good people of Delta State.
He made the assertion when he was asked to comment on the defection of the former PDP member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon Erhiatake Ibori, assuring that her exit from the party is grossly inconsequential, a big relief and a good omen that was long awaited.
The Orientation and Communications Bureau Director General, further disclosed that PDP political structures in Ethiope Federal Constituency is solid, unshakable, members are united, and shall deliver the party effortlessly in the forthcoming general elections, and more particularly the governorship election.
He noted that prior to 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections, Chief James Ibori invited leaders of Ethiope Federal Constituency to his country home in Oghara where he assured leaders of PDP that his daughter, Hon Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu should be allowed one tenure to complete the two tenure slots of Ethiope West LGA, so that Ethiope East can take her turn in 2027 under the irrevocable internal power rotation agreement in Delta PDP.
Oghenesivbe, who was a campaign spokesperson for Delta PDP in 2023 general elections, pointed out that Ethiope East agreed to Chief Ibori’s proposal and thereafter delivered his daughter clean and clear in a transparent, free and fair election, noting that Hon Erhiatake Ibor ‘s defection to the opposition party in the state was a deliberate attempt to truncate the promise made by Chief Ibori, so as to return his daughter for a second tenure, so as to shortchange Ethiope East LGA in 2027.
He assured that Chief Ibori’s daughter will obviously face political brick walls within and outside their party in 2027, as.PDP is poised to clinch overwhelming victory under the political leadership of the state governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, adding that the enviable performance of the ruling party in the state through the instrumentality of the MORE agenda would resonate with the people at the polls.
“The defection of Hon Erhiatake Ibori suffered unexplainable delays for obvious reasons. The political calculation by Chief Ibori camp was that they can eat their cake and have it after the 2023 general elections. But alas, the reverse was the case.
“They (Chief Ibori Camp) have now decided to opt out of PDP instalmentally. We clearly understand their politics of one leg in and one leg out, the Weysom Wike style.
“We.lost Ethiope West to the opposition party in the House of Assembly in 2023 due to the political deceit of some political actors whose one leg is in PDP and the other leg in the major opposition party in the state, some people call it smart anti party politics, just like what Chief Wike is doing in Rivers State at the moment.
“The video clips of 2023 governorship election in Oghara is still in the archive. At the appropriate time we shall do the needful, it’s not yet time for 2027 electioneering politics.
“Deltans are not surprised that Erhiatake Ibori defected to the major opposition party. They knew it will come and here we are. The coast is now very clear for all to see and appreciate. PDP will never miss Hon Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, rather we foresee her returning to PDP after 2027 general elections,” Oghenesivbe assured.