[dropcap]I[/dropcap]t is believed that Senator Peter Nwaoboshi is not just a threat but a political bulldozer and trailblazer who has his
political machinery and goodwill that made him the choice of Anioma any day, any time.
With the political intrigues that is currently playing out, it is maddening to observe the level of desperation at which politicians seek political positions saying there is no gainsaying in the fact that the political situation and democratic process in Nigeria is a game of highest bidder which often leaves a situation of crying hues by losers after various elections.
“This is what is playing out for weeks now with the pronouncement at the Federal High Court, Abuja. Usually, as it has always been the case in Nigeria, after the primary election, contestants who were not satisfied with the turnout of the results are given fourteen days to file their cases. Yet, no one did for the Delta North senatorial primaries within the stipulated time. This further adjudged the result to be wholly accepted in good faith by Ned Nwoko.
It is therefore a travesty of justice to note that an application contesting unfair primaries will be attended to in a court of competent jurisdiction in this country after the fourteen days window to file a petition has elapsed. “I have actually decided to lend my voice to this unhealthy imbroglio based on the fact that a result that was publicly declared and accepted in good faith is now wearing a different garb. It is interesting to note that from 506, the current votes scored by Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi is now 406, while Prince Ned Nwoko who got 453 votes is now adjudged the winner. The facts coming out of the purported investigations are alleging gross irregularities and electoral malpractices.
“Invariably, it is no longer news that the unseen hands of some political gladiators in Delta State are actually instigating the entire campaign of hatred but soon the God almighty will shame them.With the recent issuance of a certificate of return to billionaire politician, Prince Ned Nwoko of Delta North Senatorial District by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), despite a pending appeal before the Court of Appeal in Abuja, and having been served a stay of execution on the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, it is clear that the electoral body has been unduly influenced by the billionaire politician who prides himself in using his money to achieve whatever he wants.
Recall that the April 3, 2019 horrendous Federal High Court judgement by Justice Ahmed Abubakar against Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, who billionaire Prince Ned Nwoko contested against in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial primary election for Delta North senatorial district, directed the PDP to publish the name of Ned Nwoko as the candidate for the election; an order already overtaken by events. Since there was no consequential order to INEC to issue a certificate of return to Ned Nwoko, the question begging for an answer is: on what legal foundation did INEC erect its decision on?
Having been served all appeal processes, one wonders where INEC derived its powers to issue certificate of return to Ned Nwoko. Ned Nwoko went as far as presenting ballot papers in court which were not given to him by the PDP. The party objected the admissibility of the ballot papers since they were not given to Prince Nwoko by the party.This is the party that conducted the election coming out to tell Prince Ned the ballot papers did not come from them. This leaves one to wonder the basis upon which Justice Abubakar went ahead to admit it as evidence and eventually ruled that Ned won the case.
Only a blind man will not see that the only thing that could have made the judge to give such a horrendous judgement is Judicial magic. Prince Ned Nwoko, notorious for bragging of his capacity to buy his way, succeeded in creating the eight wonder of the world by securing himself a judgement that lacked judicial ethos.
On the other hand, why should INEC, after been duly served a notice of appeal; stay of execution, and record of proceeding duly transmitted to the appeal court, went ahead to issue Ned Nwoko a certificate of return when the judgement did not direct them to do so? The question on the minds of many is what could have happened? With a man who brags openly and claimed that even the appeal court is wrapped under his armpit, and that the case before the appeal is a foregone and concluded matter, could it be that justice in present Nigeria is for the rich? An average Nigerian cannot get justice? Although INEC has chosen this inglorious part even when the matter is pending at the court of Appeal, all hope for justice is not lost since Nigerians have implicit hope that the revered Justices of the Appeal court shall rise to the occasion and redirect the wheel of justice to restore sanity and orderliness to the sacred temple of justice. Let justice be done, and seen to be done.
Where was Hon. Ned Nwoko in the build up to the 2014 PDP gubernatorial primaries, when it became clear that the aspiration of Anioma producing the governor was on the verge of evaporating. It was a time that moves to truncate the realisation of a governor of Anioma extraction became apparent.I say this with clear conviction as I was in the battle field during that period. It was this time that men with balls appeared, vowing to do whatever that was needed to ensure governorship comes to Anioma in the spirit of unwritten agreement to rotate the position amongst the three senatorial districts. The battle was not fought by the PDP alone. It was an Anioma project. Barr. Nwaoboshi was amongst the Anioma sons and daughters that organised several nocturnal meetings and lobbies to actualise the dream. At a time, Barr. Peter Nwaoboshi offered to bury his senatorial ambition even if it amounts to Ika Nation producing both the governor and the senator.
When eventually Dr. Okowa picked the governorship ticket, it was so easy for Barr. Nwaoboshi to emerge at the time.
Since he became a senator, public assessment of his performance is high. This is not necessarily because he has done very well. Many think he is a victim of poor media management and vitriolic attacks stimulated by his apparent deserved political leap.
I am one of the many persons who rated Senate Nwaoboshi very high,I had used the performance barometer I applied for Senator Okowa to score him. I just reminded myself that Dr. Okowa was a senator when his party held sway at the centre. Despite the convivial environment, Senator Okowa operated in, he raised the bar to the chagrin of his colleagues at the time. I have left Senator Patrick Osakwe out of this discourse for obvious reasons. Barr. Nwaoboshi has within the last three and half years put out his scorecard for public scrutiny. This document has clearly shown that he has done well in the nine local government areas in the district and remain the senator ever produced in the history of Anioma nation.
Barr. Peter Nwaoboshi is a first timer in the red chamber, yet, emerged as the Senate committee chairman on Niger-Delta Affairs. His diminutive stature does not obscure his intellectual strength. He is in fact a political maverick.He has offered himself for sacrifice to secure the interest of Anioma. He is a cat with nine lives. He has survived previous ferocious battles. The year 2019 will certainly not be a war the ‘Oracle’ will lose. I found him most appropriate to represent Aniomas beyond 2019 in the Senate. Senator Nwaoboshi is the authentic winners of Anioma Senatorial seat.Our God will secure the judgement in your favour and shame the devil. Igbuzo mali umu wa !!!
By: Ike Abiagom
Publisher: Newsbreeze