By Patrick Ochei
The People’s Democratic Party, PDP Family in Okpanam community in Oshimili North LGA of Delta State, has sought the motherly prayers and blessings of the Omu of Okpanam, HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu.
The delegation led by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Political Matters, Ogbueshi Innocent Uchibuolu with mainly Executive members of PDP Ward 9, paid a consultation visit to the Palace of the Omu-Omu Okpanam/Anioma on Monday 6th March, 2023, seeking her forgiveness first, and secondly, her prayers as they prepare to prosecute the forthcoming election on Saturday, 11th March, 2023.
Uchibuolu recognised the fact that Omu Martha Dunkwu has supported and spoken well of the PDP administrations in the State, yet as the leaders of the party who are closest to her, it was never thought wise to visit with her once, to appreciate her as Mother To All.
According to Uchibuolu, “This is the first of its kind visit and we are proud to make it. You are our mother Your Majesty; and it will be dangerous on our part to overlook what we have while others come from far to tap from the fountain.
“We have wronged you, knowingly and unknowingly. But as your children, we have come to seek your forgiveness, and then your prayers, blessings and support.
“What happened during the Presidential election has remained a mystery. While not dwelling on that however, we have come to seek your motherly support as the leader of women and female youths to help change the tide.
“We depend on your prayers for our Governorship candidate and all the House of Assembly candidates to scale through this election successfully. This is because, Delta State is traditionally a PDP state and we cannot afford to lose it to another opposition party who may not understand how we have coexisted peacefully and progressively since 1999.
“Our candidate for Governorship, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is the best Godly material to succeed Governor Okowa who has done so much for us. We also appeal for support to our son and brother for the House of Assembly election, Barr. Frank Esenwa; he truly deserves a win because of his wealth of experience in legal jurisprudence and human management.
“Nneoha, may you live long and never dwindle in wisdom as you continue to pilot the affairs of your people”, Uchibuolu said.
In her usual blunt approach to negative and irresponsible issues, Omu Dunkwu lambasted her visitors for failing in their leadership mandate to bring everybody together.
She accused them of treating her with disdain and contempt in an attempt to ridicule her positive standing for quality leadership and justice in the community.
However as a mother, Omu Dunkwu forgave them and made supplications for them to God as requested, adding that no mother can ever throw away the baby with the bath water.
She equally counselled them on how to go about applying political diplomacy to win back confidence from aggrieved consciences as the Governorship/House Of Assembly Election is close to call.
The Omu of Okpanam admonished the PDP in Okpanam community to leverage on the strength of non indigene communities in Okpanam, which she put at 80 percent to prosecute the forthcoming election with the mindset of victory.
She further advised them not to rely solely on the 20 percent strength of Okpanam indigenes, who amongst them are even sharply divided politically.
Her words, “As a mother, bestowed on me by our forefathers through divine calling as Omu, I have forgiven you. God knows that I love you all and this land called Okpanam. Everything I have done as a person, I have done based on the love of the land of my birth.
“All I am asking you, is to use your political gift and exposure to unite Okpanam. We will achieve more if we progress together in the right direction. On no account should you mix politics with tradition and culture of our people.
“I am here; Oba no dey go transfer, I will continue to pray for you all. In whatever political party you are affiliated to, none of you will kill each other for political gains or interests. We are one, politics or no politics. Okpanam will continue to be great”, Omu Dunkwu posited.
Those PDP Ward 9 leaders in company of the SSA to the Governor on Political Matters, Ogbueshi Innocent Uchibuolu, are Mr. A.N. Obiekea as Ward 9 chairman, Chief Felix Okafor (The Ikejiani of Okpanam and popularly known as Felinco Motors International), Mr. Christopher Nwayalani, Chief Nnanyem Ogwuda (The Mazi 111 of Okpanam), Mr. Peter Oditah and others.
