Having become a sort of political culture in Nigeria to assume leadership of a political party in each given State and geo-political zone, the case of the South-South region could not have been an exception.
No wonder that on the evening of Thursday, November 28, 2019, the South-South zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ‘unanimously’ appointed Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as Leader of the South-South caucus of the APC in the zone.
It witnessed the crème de la crème of the party in the region whose presence was necessary to signpost their relevance in lending support to efforts at resolving some issues affecting the smooth run of the party.
The roll call of those present at that event include Chief Don Etiebet, Senator Ndoma Egba, Senator Ita Enang, Chief Great Ogboru, Chief Umanah Umanah, Senator Omo-Agege, amongst others.
However, conspicuously absent were Minister of Transportation and former Rivers Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswil Akpabio and the Director-General of Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside and others.
Some political commentators who expressed reservation at the absence of these South-South APC chieftains believed the development could not be unconnected with the crisis rocking the party which has recently heightened in Rivers and Edo States respectively.
Some pointedly allege that these APC big wigs, especially the Transportation Minister are unhappy with the zonal leadership tag given to Omo Agege given the rising profile of Amaechi, and whose contributions in resources and otherwise to the APC has arguably lifted the party to its enviable height.
And so, Amaechi and his adherents supposedly stayed away from the ‘spiteful’ event.
But to buttress speculations that the November 28, 2019 fanfare and the boycott of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and other APC chieftains was not a coincidence, political watchers again points to last weekend Thanksgiving Service in honour of the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, held at the Mother of Redeemer Catholic Church in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area.
The event which went beyond partisan coloration was graced by Vice President Yomi Osinbajo, Rivers State governor, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike; Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Silva; former governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, James Manager and Speaker of Delta House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori.
Also present were the embattled National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshomhole; Executive Director (Projects) of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Rev. Francis Waove and a host of APC chieftains in the South-South zone.
It was an event which left Nigerians in disbelief as even political ‘enemies’ were seen hugging themselves and dancing excitedly. The most notable spectacle was witnessed where Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike was caught in warm embrace with Adams Oshomhole and one could see in their faces, the expression of very happy people.
But, wait for it, again, Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi was conspicuously absent. Not for reason of official engagement elsewhere as that could have been communicated to the host and the MC obviously could have made the announcement!
Amaechi’s absence at the Effurun event has once more fuelled speculations of a deep seated leadership tussle for which some pundits believed should naturally be the preserved on the former Rivers Governor given his pedigree, profile and antecedents; and regardless of the fact of Omo Agege being the highest political office holder in the zone.
