Prince Ned Nwoko and Senator Peter Nwaboishi, Delta North Senatorial Hopefuls for 2019
By Idi Presley Ifeanyichukwu
As the 2019 general elections draw closer the atmosphere is getting more charged, tensed, and hostile, with alignments and realignments taking place all over, and the Delta North Senatorial District is no different.
As a matter of fact, the battle for who to represent the Anioma people seem to be the most fiercely contested amongst the lots, it’s a fight that at the end whoever wins will know that indeed he fought a real political war, a battle I have termed the, THE PRINCE VS THE ORACLE.
On one hand we have the charming PRINCE Ned Nwoko, a fine gentleman who seem to be doing his politicking right, for everywhere you turn to on social media amongst the Anioma’s, songs of his praises is all you we likely see.
His choristers are adamant that Ned will give our people a better representation, they are just too sure that his philanthropic nature will ensure that our people are duly empowered, telling anyone who cares to listen how the PRINCE is the real deal.
To them his contributions and the stellar role he played in the Paris club refunds have earned him his place in history and that is enough to prove that he cares about the common man.
Allow them and they will rabble on about his numerous achievements as a member of the Federal House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003, with the influencing of the completion of the Benin-Asaba express way listed as one of his major achievement while in office, what an impressive resume they quickly add.
While the supporters of the Prince are quick to point that Ned is easily accessible, those on the other side are quick to tell us how he refused to support the creation of the NDDC due to his allegiance to then President Olusegun Obasanjo, they are also quick to want to tell us the dispute he had with his people over the purchase of lands he intends building a sports university on, those against his candidature are quick to fire and ask how can a man who couldn’t defeat his own people, expected to do so for an entire constituency, well this is politics and there will always be shots and counter shots.
On the other side of the battle, there is another fine “rugged” gentleman Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi popularly called the ORACLE, he is the current serving Senator representing the people of Delta North in the National Assembly, so for starters he has the power of incumbency.
Since the return to democracy, the four years of Sen Okowa aside, SPON like his supporters call him has been able to give relevance to the Anioma people, especially with his emergence as the house committee chairman on NDDC (a commission his supporters are claiming the Prince didn’t support the creation), a massive scoop by any first timer.
To the followers and lovers of the Oracle, when he speaks everyone listen, as they believe he commands so much respect amongst his peers all over.
They talk on about his dogged fight and stellar role he too played for the emergence of an ANIOMA son as Governor during his time as the State Party Chairman of the PDP, EQUITY 2015 and the ANIOMA AGENDA they called it which led to his excellency, Sen Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa becoming the flag bearer of the party and eventually the governor, who then is better to lead the Anioma Charge at the National Assembly if not the one who gave his all to bring to fruition the clamour for an Anioma Governor, the SPON team members are asking?
According to the flocks of the Oracle, the numerous on going and completed projects by the NDDC is a further testament to the fact that SPON has utilised his influence as the committee chairman to the fullest in favour of his constituents.
They list also his continuous mega empowerment and bills sponsored as a key reason while he should be reelected, to his supporters SPON needs to complete the second leg of his journey so as to consolidate on the gains he has made in the first run.
His critics will tell you that SPON is proud and arrogant, they will never fail to whisper to you the scandals that has continued to hover around him, from his dealings with the councillorship aspirants during his last days as state party chairman to his purchase of the Delta Guinea House, but to his teeming supporters all these are mere propaganda aimed at distracting their working Senator.
Finally no matter which side of the divide you belong to, like the battle of the seven kingdoms, the battle of the PRINCE vs the ORACLE will rage on till 2019, alas at the end of the day whoever emerges victorious at the party primaries would be a sure bet to lead the party and the people.
However, no matter the side you choose, be it the CASTLE of the PRINCE, or the SHRINE OF THE ORACLE, at the end we all are one breed, one blood and one big family and the wellbeing of our people should be our paramount concern.
AS A GENERAL OF MY OWN ARMY, CERTAINLY I WILL JOIN THE BATTLE AND LEAD FROM THE FRONT BUT WILL IT BE ALONGSIDE GENERALS AND LIUETENANTS OF THE PRINCE’S ARMY OR THE SEERS AND PROPHETS FROM THE ORACLES SHRINE, only time will tell.
Let it everyone be aware though that in making my decision, SERVICE to humanity must come first, so whoever has done more for our people between the PRINCE and the ORACLE will have my support.
I remain yours sincerely Idi Presley Ifeanyichukwu (Snr Comr).
