BY NORBERT CHIAZOR
WHY do Zik Gbemre delight in diatribe? I often ponder. At over 70, a man should walk in measured steps not brash bang on every table.
For readers at sea over Gbemre’s identity, he is a self-styled critic with uncanny obsession for only one subject – Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Occasionally, he rambles on other matters both trivial and tedious but he draws his absurd theatrics mostly on local politics of Delta.
This he deviously dramatizes on all kinds of social media platforms, with uncouth scandalous yet fictionalised sarcasm which no mainstream newspaper or traditional media would ever agree to publish for the risk of screaming libel.
His latest tirade, ridiculous as usual but not surprising is a Whatsapp /Facebook post where he went goofy, over communal issues, propagandizing highly divisive perspectives, capable of causing ethnic hatred among Deltans.
In the worst form of vile misinformation ever seen on social media, Gbemre falsely wrote that Governor Oborevwori “couldn’t admit that innocent civilians died in the Okuama crisis”
At different fora,a deeply concerned Oborevwori, known for his pacifist make up, had repeatedly acknowledged the tragedy of civilian and military casualties in the Okuama mayhem of March 14 ,2024.
His sincere unbiased condemnation of the violence by the unhinged perpetrators had been widely reported.
That he took responsibility to resettle the displaced citizens of Okuama with shelter and other vital material care speaks of a leader who deeply values peace and human dignity, in the face of conflict and humanitarian crises.
A different agenda is clearly at play between a conceited antagonist and conscientious protagonist.
While Oborevwori is daily dousing tension for public order, Gbemreis fanning fire upon Okuama.
His highly inflammable invectives against the state government, military authorities cultural and community leaders are not only deepening the Okuamaissue but expose him as a dangerous rabble rouser. All for ephemeral vainglory so petty- to trend on Whatsapp and other social media handles.
Open, fair and reasonable, Oborevwori is obviously more Urhobo than Gbemre.
There is no charity in malevolent riot at home.
Gbemre in his reckless faux pas also raised feeble alarm on Oborevwori for personally presenting “Staff of Office to the Asagba of Asaba” while he “delegated his Deputy” to perform similar assignment to Ovie of Agbarha-Warri.
This is the most nauseating bigotry displayed in recent history within Delta.
Both Asagba of Asaba and Ovie of Agbara-Warri are recognized kings of autonomous kingdoms.
Governor’s action is not a damper in the line of duty.
That he delegated his deputy for staff of office presentation to one, fulfilled all established constitutional conventions. He did not err in law or moral realm. Chieftaincy is the purview of deputy governor.
The governor’s hand- over of staff of office to Asagba was simply honorific and symbolic. Asaba is the capital of Delta and seat of government.
Numerouno Delta soil.
This reality, hard core in immutability is beyond the crass tribalism of Gbemre, which throttles his bitter anti- Asaba/Delta North sentiments, in pitiable xenophobia.
But if he is in doubt about the sacrosanct status of Asaba, he should read the constitution of Nigeria!
Oborevwori, with his honour to Asagba, acted well and wise – an administrative savvy, pro-social and culturally sensitive governor.
Incurable in his tribalistic spell, Gbemre also threw another reckless tantrum at the governor:
“He shunned all appeals to personally present Staff of Office to Ovie of Agbarha-Warri Kingdom, a critical opportunity to reaffirm Urhobo ownership rights to Warri Township”
At peace time, the Urhobos, Itsekiris and Izons are co-existing in Warri after the 1990s destructive ethnic conflict, it is absurdly unimaginable that Gbemre is blowing a baleful divisive trumpet.
Does he want to become Ferdinand Nehimana, harbinger of hateful rhetoric who incited the 1994 Rwandan genocide? Or Adolf Hitler of Nazi notoriety? While these posers are hyperbolic for a parrot-mouthed ordinary civilian,this stunt no matter the motive is condemnable, objectionable and atrocious.
Happily, Oborevwori is not Gbemre. He will never listen to him. He cannot wear his blurred ethnic binoculars, which magnify nothing but hate.
Delta North voted for Oborevwori because he is not a tribal leader. Delta Central supported him, in spite of the betrayal of naysayers like Gbemre, because he is a good son of Urhoboland. Delta South backed him because he is accommodating.
Oborevwori pledged at his swearing ceremony at Asaba on May 29th 2023 that he would serve as Governor of all Deltans.
He has not changed!
CHIAZOR is,Ex- Delta NUJ Chairman and Executive Assistant, EA to the Governor on Media.
