2023: Chief of staff, nine commissioners resign in Delta

By Enekorogha Godbless

Delta State Chief of Staff, Government House Mr Ovie Agas and nine commissioners in the state have resigned their appointments to contest elective positions in the forthcoming election.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, revealed this at a press conference on Wednesday in Asaba. Aniagwu said the resignation complied with the provision of the Electoral Law, section 84, subsection 12, on political appointees seeking elective positions.

He also asserted that the Chief of Staff’s resignation was to enable him along with commissioners and other political aides to participate in various political positions.

The information commissioner, also said that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday, addressed an enlarged meeting of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party where he assured of a level playing ground for all aspirants at the party primaries.

According to him, the party leadership in the state was working to ensure peaceful primaries, adding that the relationship between former Governor James Ibori and Okowa had remained cordial.

“On Tuesday, the party met with the senior stakeholders and leaders of the party in the state. The governor and the Chairman, Mr Kingsley Esiso, were clear on the need for all contestants to play fair and sustain existing peace in the state.

“The governor and the party chairman have assured that there will be a free level playing ground for all contestants. As a government, we will not engage in any activity that will not promote confidence on the part of the people,” Aniagwu said.

The commissioner also told newsmen that former governors, James Ibori and Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan were present at the stakeholder’s meeting.

He said the party, had never, since 1999, zoned the ticket to any senatorial district or geopolitical zone respectively during its primaries.

“It has always been thrown open to all interested aspirants in the party governorship or presidential primaries”

Therefore, he cautioned against zoning, adding that the country needed the best hands at present to deliver democratic dividends to the people.