Armed political thugs said to be loyal to former commissioner for housing and governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s immediate past Special Adviser, Paulinus Akpeki, last weekend beat up the chairman of the People Democratic Party, (PDP), Ward 4 in Sapele local government area of Delta State, Mr Godfrey Igbise over heated argument on political appointment slots in the second tenure of governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
The PDP chairman who was said to have been beaten up mercilessly, was attacked by Akpei’s paid hire thugs during the party meeting at Akpeki’s residence in Sapele.
According to an ex-official of the party who does not want his name mentioned told HardReporters that “As I talk to you now, the PDP chairman Godfrey Igbise has been in a state of coma resulting from the beating. He was hospitalised after the beating. Igbise, was attacked by thugs loyal to a PDP chieftain, Chief Paulinus Akpeki for arguing with him in his house during a meeting in Sepele over who should be included in the appointment list to be sent to the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
“Igbise was invited by the local government PDP chairman, Chief David Oghenekevwe to a meeting at the ward leader’s house, Chief Paulinus Akpeki house, and was invited with other leaders from other wards but during the amendment of list for appointment, Igbise argued in favoured of certain persons as against the imposition of some persons by Akpeki.
“Igbise was attacked by political thugs at Chief Akpeki’s house. Akpeki commanded his thugs and stabbed Igbise all over his body saying who are you to argue with our leader and he was left in the pool of his blood, and after several minutes he was rushed to a nearby clinic” the source added.
When our correspondent visited the PDP chairman at the clinic, he was not allowed to see our correspondent but his wife told our correspondent that, “My husband is fine, but they will not succeed in their plan to kill him over political position.” she lamented.
Meanwhile, the justle for appointments has continued to tear apart the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) across the state as elders and leaders of the party undo one another and hijacked the appointment slots meant for those who are said to have worked tirelessly for the victory of the party at the 2019 general elections.
At Isoko South local government area of the state, leaders and elders of the party have been accused of nominating themselves, cronies and family members for appointments as against the directive of governor Ifeanyi Okowa to nominate three persons, a man, woman and youth from each ward across the state for appointments.
“The governor gave directive that three persons should be nominated, one man, one woman and one youth but some leaders and elders, like Ross Uredi, Askia Ogieh and others are busy nominating their cronies, family members, girl friends who did not contribute to the success of our party during the 2019 general elections. These are the selfish and greedy leaders killing the party in Isoko South.” A chieftain of the party in Isoko South said.
Commenting on the issue, an indigene of Oleh, Victory Oghenerabome Odize, condemned the action of some of the party’s leaders.
“Recommend three competent names in your ward for state appointment, and our leaders, elder state men and others who have been in both elective and appointed positions as former councillors, chairmen, commissioners, board members and House of Assembly members since I was a kid decides to recommend themselves again.
“The question to them all is, are you the only one fit for appointments or elective positions?. Are the youths only fit to be used to fight wars and achieve electoral victories, only to get dump during the sharing of the spoils (appointments)”? he queried.
The story of the hijack of appointment slots is the same in Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Patani, Aniocha South, Aniocha North local government councils and other local government areas across the state.
