Asaba: The widely speculated frosty relationship between Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his immediate predecessor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan was all but confirmed when the Delta State Governor stated clearly that there was ‘No love lost’ between him and Uduaghan.
This declaration was made by Gov. Okowa while fielding questions from newsmen during the First Quarterly Media interactive session for 2017, held in government House, Asaba on February 7, 2017.
Governor Okowa, well known for his unflinching discipline, candid honesty and forthrightness, did not hesitate or stutter when he unequivocally stated that his relationship with Uduahan , can best be described as a ‘No Love Lost’ relationship, adding that he neither
disliked nor appreciated his predecessor with any special affection beyond or above the acceptable, civilized courtesies required under the prevailing circumstances of their present relationship as incumbent and immediate past governors of Delta state.
The Delta Governor, who would further highlight the nature of this relationship by equally affirming, when reminded of his altercations with former Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, an opposition Governor from the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the
run up to the September 2016 Edo state elections, said that there had been ‘No Love Lost, between him and Oshiomhole, and there was also ‘No Love Lost’ between him and the newly elected Edo state Governor, Dr. Godwin Obaseki, also of the APC and Oshiomhole’s anointed candidate.
He was however quick to add that he enjoyed a more cordial relationship with his fellow S/South PDP governors and while their meetings have been irregular due to the exacting demands of managing their states under the present recession strangle hold across the
country, they all still communicated regularly in the spirit of uniting the PDP and addressing the critical issues that concern the development of the region.
Those who are familiar with the interpretation of the phrase ‘No Love Lost’ will certainly be convinced that the relationship between Governor Okowa and Dr. Uduaghan, already widely regarded as becoming more strained after the 2007 PDP Governorship primaries in Ogwashi Uku to the 2011 Delta North Senatorial elections Primaries, the 2014 PDP Governorship Primaries, the fall outs of Okowa’s inaugural address to the Delta State House of Assembly, the various activities of the EFCC in the state since May 29, 2015 and now the most recent allegations of the diversion of $10m bail-out fund through am American mistress, may have now transcended into a hostile and acrimonious territory, prompting the usually urbane, diplomatic and articulate Governor Okowa to uncharacteristically describe the relationship as a ‘No Love Lost’ situation.
The fact that governor Okowa, a highly cerebral orator and wordsmith, renowned for his impeccable mastery of the English Language, would choose the idiomatic phrase ‘No Love Lost’ to describe his relationship with Dr. Uduaghan, a situation often displayed when
referring to a bitter rival or an opposition party, especially coming just a few days after the return of Chief James Ibori, who mentored both men politically, could either mean that the Delta Governor is simply attempting to create the impression that there is nothing
spectacular in the relationship or he is clearly telling the world that he and his predecessor are not best of friends and do not see eye to eye on critical issues and in that statement, possibly sending out a coded message or signal to the political landscape ahead of the
horse trading that will surely manifest as the 2019 general election draws near.
