BY ROSEMARY NWAEBUNI
AT 33 years, Delta State can be said to have come-of-age; which means it has now reached a crucial stage in its development path where certain critical, far-reaching, visible and impactful people-oriented development have taken place upon which an informed assessment can be made.
It is not in doubt that the consistent, smooth and seamless development trajectory of the state is attributed to two major governance attitudes of successive governors: ensuring that projects which were on-going prior to the change of leadership baton were not abandoned but dutifully completed; and the exercise of prudence in managing the state’s resources.
Proudly, when carefully compared with other states created the same period, it is the marked differences in terms of economic, social and political development, not the similarities between them that truly signify the coming-of-age of Delta State.
There are basically three major infrastructure and amenities upon which development thrives: construction of roads to open up different areas in villages and towns; provision of regular electricity; and provision of reticulated water supply in both urban and rural areas of the state. Deltans are enterprising people; given the above provisions, the right economic climate and security architecture, Delta State will be on the fastest lane of development. From the era of Olorogun Felix Ibru, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to the present Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, successive governments have made considerable efforts along these lines. However, there are still visible gaps to fill.
The regime of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa which promised prosperity for all Deltans achieved the import of this mantra considerably by engaging in massive road construction across several towns and rural communities. For instance, the construction of roads where none existed, led to value appreciation of landed properties, construction of commercial and residential buildings by individuals, upsurge in business start-ups, influx of private investors into the state, and boost in economic activities.
The new administration of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who was sworn in as the 5th democratically elected Executive Governor of Delta State on May 29, 2023 not only marked another epoch-making era in the socio-economic and political life of the state but also opened a new page in governance based on a well-crafted ‘MORE’ agenda, which promises meaningful development, opportunities for all, realistic reforms, and enhanced peace and security. It is expected that Delta State, under his watch, will experience more job opportunities, increase in GDP and IGR, capital flow, improved economy, improved living condition, environmental conduciveness, improved infrastructural facilities, social stability and security of lives and properties, as well as improved education and healthcare systems.
Oborevwori has demonstrated his commitment to delivering on his campaign promises by taking the right steps in all these areas and there are no doubts in the hearts of Deltans that these initiatives, some of which have started yielding dividends will have positive impacts on all Deltans.
The creation of Delta on August 27, 1991 via a military fiat under the regime of the then head of state, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, will remain a landmark event in the history of our great State. Socio-economically and politically, the state stands tall among its peers that were birthed same time. To say that politically, Delta State occupies an enviable position among the comity of states will be stating the obvious.
Perhaps, a short trip down memory lane on the socio-political and economic development of our 33 years old Delta State will give an insight on where we are coming from and why we are celebrating our coming-of-age this time-honoured day.
Prior its creation in August 27, 1991, Delta State was part of the Mid-Western Region of the country from 1963 to 1976, with Benin City as its Capital. While other regions of the nation were carved up into States in 1967, the Mid-Western region remained so until 1976 when it was renamed Bendel State, probably to reflect the trend in the other regions.
The name Bendel (Ben-Del) was coined to reflect Benin and Delta provinces of the Western region. Protagonists of State creation at that time suggested two names: Delta and Asaba. While the name ‘Delta’ was proposed by the Niger Deltans, the Aniomas proposed ‘Asaba’ as name of the canvassed State. In order to accommodate the two shades of interest, the new state created out of the old Bendel State in August 27, 1991 was named ‘Delta’ in line with the wishes of the Niger Deltans who were mainly from the South and Central senatorial districts of the State, while Asaba was made State capital to assuage the Aniomas (Delta Northerners).
Delta State Anniversary celebration coincides with those of Abia, Anambra, Adamawa, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Osun, Taraba and Yobe States, which were created and announced the same day via a nation-wide broadcast by General Babangida in August 27, 1991.
The newly created Delta State midwifed by the Military was placed under the supervision of Group Captain Luke Chijiuba Ochulor as the first Military Administrator on August 28, 1991. He piloted the affairs of the State till January 2, 1992 when he handed over to the first Civilian Governor of the State, Chief Felix Ibru who governed the State up to November 17, 1993 when the Babangida democratic experiment in all the States of the Federation was suspended following a palace coup spearheaded by General Sani Abacha in November 17, 1993. This development saw the emergence of the then Commissioner of Police (CP) in the State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Shehu assuming office as Acting Sole Administrator of Delta State. He only acted for 24 days; from November 17, 1993 to December 10, 1993.
On December 10, 1993 Colonel Bassey Asuquo took over the mantle of leadership as the Military Administrator of the State and was replaced by Group Capt. Ibrahim Kefas in September 26, 1994. He in turn, handed over to Col. John Dungs on August 22, 1996. Dungs held sway as Military Administrator till August 12, 1998 and handed over to Navy Capt. Walter Feghabo who governed Delta State till May 29, 1999 when the country returned to civilian rule following the restoration of democracy.
Chief James Onanefe Ibori from Delta Central Senatorial District assumed office as the civilian Governor of the State on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), May 29, 1999 following a keenly contested election where he beat his rival, Engr. Moses Kragha. He administered the State for two (2) consecutive tenures of four (4) years each (May 29, 1999 – May 29, 2007).
Ibori handed over the mantle of leadership of the State to Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan from Delta South Senatorial District who defeated his opponent of the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP), Chief Great Oghoru in the 2007 general elections to become Governor under the PDP. He piloted the affairs of the State for two tenures also (May 29, 2007 – May 29, 2015).
However, at the twilight of Governor Uduaghan’s first tenure, precisely November 8, 2010, a five-man Court of Appeal panel presided over by Justice Monica Dongban-Mensah in Benin, annulled the process that brought Uduaghan to power in his first tenure, on account of election irregularies and ordered a rerun of the election within 90 days. This gave room to the emergence of the former Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, the late Rt. Hon. Sam Obi as Acting Governor from November 10, 2010 to January 10, 2011 when Uduaghan who won the rerun election, returned to office to complete his first term.
Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa from the Delta North Senatorial District was sworn into office as Governor of Delta State May 29, 2015 having defeated Chief Great Ogboru who contested on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC). He governed the State for two terms from May 29, 2015 to May 29, 2023.
Senator Okowa in turn, handed over the leadership batton to the former Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori who is from Delta Central Senatorial District thereby returning Power to the district where the ‘gentleman agreement’ of power rotation started from. With this, it may not be wrong to say that there is political stability in Delta State, which can be attributed to power rotation among the three senatorial districts in the State in the spirit of justice and fairness. Today, being the State’s 32nd anniversary, Rt. Hon. Oborevwori who is barely three months in the saddle as Governor will be performing a number of activities to commemorate this special day.
Looking at Delta State’s political transformation 33 years down the line as chronicled above, it is observed that for the first seven (7) years and nine (9) months after its creation, seven (7) persons piloted its affairs: Six Military Administrators and one civilian Governor. It may not be wrong to say that each of them exited just when they were trying to fathom the best way to properly administer the affairs of a state as diverse in many ways as Delta State.
However, since May 29, 1999 when the PDP took over the leadership of the State till date, there has been increasing sense of unity, inclusiveness, development in all ramifications and political stability engendered by each successive administration, with each Governor consolidating, complementing and building upon the achievements of the previous government.
In the Legislative arm, the State has equally done well by ensuring her citizens occupy strategic positions at the national level. The legislature has contributed immensely to the growth and development of the State, especially in proposing and sponsoring life changing bills. A Deltan in the person of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, occupied the number two seat at the Upper Chamber of the 9th National Assembly as the Deputy Senate President. Also at the Green Chamber, a Deltan, Rt. Hon Ndudi Elumelu, held the position of Minority Leader, House of Representatives. Worthy of note is the fact that the current Governor of Delta State and the longest serving Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori was once the National Deputy Chairman, Conference of Speakers of States Legislatures in Nigeria.
In the Executive arm also, the State boasts of eminent personalities that have occupied executive positions at the national level as Minister. They include, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo who was appointed Minister of Police Affairs in July 2003 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Mr. Godsday Orubebe, Minster of Niger Delta Affairs in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan; Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, former Minister of State, Resources; and Festus Keyamo, who was Minister of State for Labour and Employment in Buhari’s regime and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, to mention but a few.
In the Judiciary, citizens of Delta were also not left out in occupying exalted national positions. Some of them rose to become Justices of the Supreme Court (JSC) and Justices of Court Appeal (JCA). They include Late Justice Nike Tobi, (JSC); Late Justice Samuel Oseji (JSC); Justice Ebiowei Tobi, (JCA); Justice Rita Pemu (JCA); Late Justice Alfred Awala (JCA); Justice Fred Oho (JCA); and Justice Sybil Nwaka respectively.
Politically, Delta towers above most states created same period with her. In the 2023 general election, the immediate past Governor of the State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa was the Vice Presidential candidate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who was the PDP Presidential candidate. They scored 6,984,320 votes to emerge second in the race.
