By Akanimo Sampson
THE tussle for the Chairmanship position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Southern Nigeria, has sparked off a bitter ethnic row in the big oil-producing state.
At the centre of the raging controversy is the Special Adviser to the state Governor on Library, Kingsley Esiso, a lawyer.
Esiso has shown serious interest in the chairmanship of the PDP that has been dominating the affairs of the state widely known as ”the Big Heart” since 1999.
Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Monday Igbuya, has joined the fray on the side of Esiso.
According to the speaker, ”Kingsley Esiso is an indigene of Okpara Inland. I can tell you that his father was buried in Okpara Inland. I was in attendance at the burial about 15 years ago. And I hope that will rest the argument of where he is from”.
But, the Ethiope East wing of the Delta Central PDP Youth Movement, a political pressure group, does not appear to be on the same page with the speaker.
While the youths are doubting where the governor’s aide comes from, Igbuya, the speaker says the mud-slinging is aimed at discrediting the Esiso.
Stepping up his defence of the embattled PDP chairmanship aspirant, the speaker said, ”Esiso is a duly registered member of PDP. He is a card carrying member of PDP, Ward 2 in Sapele Local Government Area. Esiso has diligently served the party. We are fully in support of his ambition”.
Findings by our roving correspondent in the area indicate that Esiso was given the title of the Oruese (A Generous Giver) of Agbon Kingdom, while the wife was conferred with the title of Ughana (Eye Glass) of Agbon Kingdom by Ukori 1st, the monarch of Agbon Kingdom.