In a swift reaction to the ongoing political drama happening in Aniocha North, the chief of staff to the Senator representing Delta North, Hon Kaikenechukwu Okolie, has given a distinct account of what transpired.
At a time that people look forward to government creating infrastructure for the good of the community, events in Aniocha North Local government seems to be in another stream. What looked like a proxy political warfare has been ongoing in Aniocha North with claims of the former governor of Delta state influencing what happens in Aniocha North. The recent event has the media in frenzy on the mini sports stadium attracted by Sen Ned Nwoko for the Aniocha North community. The Local Government Chairman, who was said to be happy and cooperating with the project suddenly placing all the stop marks. What would have informed the change in direction?
Hon Okolie Kaikenechukwu gives detailed account of what transpired.
Excerpt:
“Sen. Ned Nwoko, the Senator representing Delta North, attracted the building of a mini football pitch and gaming facility, through the Federal Ministry of Sports, to be cited in Aniocha North local government area.
On the instruction of the Distinguished Senator, I called the Chairman of Aniocha North local government area to intimate him on the imminent arrival of the contractor for the project and he was excited about it. As a matter of fact, he even told me that this project captures his vision for football and sports development generally for the benefit of our people. He went further to state that a team of sports experts came to him same day to seek collaboration on how to develop sports in Aniocha north and he went ahead to say that this proposed facility will help in the vision.
The contractor arrived Aniocha North and met Hon. Emma Chinye, the chairman as discussed and he warmly welcomed them. They embarked on site location, though the Distinguished Senator had a location in mind but the right of approval is not within scope of assignment. He was disposed to a centralised location and preferred somewhere around the Palace play ground or preferably the stadium opposite Pilgrim Baptist Grammar School. Another location around Issele Uku Technical college was suggested but the Senator was not satisfied with it.
As if location was becoming a clog, the Chairman in his word suggested to the senator that they should use “his place” and Ned Nwoko asked where in your place? He was thinking that Chairman meant Onicha Olona.The chairman said the council premises and the Senator asked him if such space of land could be found there and he said yes..Ned hailed the idea and thanked the chairman.
Precisely on the 28th of August, 2024, they came back in company of Dr. Mike Nwoko for the mapping out of the portion where the project would be cited and it was widely reported by the media handlers of the Council Chairman and celebrated by all.
The project was meant to kick off immediately as expected. I got a call from Engr Ibrahim where he told me that the Council chairman asked them to stop work on the agreed site for the project that Gov.Okowa asked him not to allow any project from Sen Ned Nwoko to go on. I was drawn aback and I told the Engineer that Okowa is no longer the Governor rather Gov Sheriff is the Governor, but he insisted on the name Okowa. He went further to confirm that himself, Hon.Emma Chinye and Dr. Mike Nwoko spoke together via conference call and the Chairman insisted that the project should stop and mentioned Okowa again.
Still in a state of bewilderment, I picked up my phone and called the Local government Chairman, he picked and we exchanged pleasantries and I went ahead to tell him why I called and what Engr Ibrahim told me. He confirmed to me that he was the one that directed that the project should stop. I asked why he told me that his decision was hinged on the video that circulated recently where Sen. Ned Nwoko was talking about the Okpai Independent power plant. That he can only give nod for the project to continue after Sen. Ned Nwoko calls the Governor Sheriff. Why he wants the Senator to call Governor Sheriff is what I am yet to understand.
I decided to give this narrative as someone that took part in the process and to set the records straight. The names I mentioned can be reached for further confirmation.”