Ethiope Federal Constituency Leaders Deny Political Rift with Ibori
OGHARA/Nigeria: Senator Dr. Ighoyota Amori and other leaders of the Ethiope Federal Constituency in Delta State have dismissed claims of a political feud with former governor Chief James Ibori and his daughter, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, following her defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The leaders, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Ethiope Federal Constituency PDP Forum, have instead reiterated their call for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a by-election to fill the vacant seat at the House of Representatives, in line with legal provisions.
Speaking on behalf of the Forum, its Publicity Secretary, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq., clarified that the push for a by-election was a constitutional matter, devoid of personal or political animosity. “This is purely about politics and has nothing to do with emotional sentiments or personal relationships. Chief Ibori and Senator Amori have mutual respect and continue to maintain a strong friendship,” Oghenesivbe said.
He explained that prior to the 2023 elections, Chief Ibori had appealed to leaders of the constituency to support his daughter, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, for one term in the House of Representatives. After deliberations, the leaders agreed and worked tirelessly to ensure her overwhelming victory.
However, Hon. Erhiatake’s subsequent defection to the APC, Oghenesivbe noted, was viewed as a breach of the agreement and a calculated political move to undermine the constituency’s interests. “Her defection to the APC is an unscrupulous attempt to deny Ethiope East Local Government Area its rightful turn under the PDP at the Federal House of Representatives by 2027,” he said.
Oghenesivbe emphasized that the demand for a by-election was consistent with the constitution and the affidavit signed by Hon. Erhiatake, in which she pledged to vacate her seat if she defected from the PDP. “This is not a political battle against Chief James Ibori or his daughter. It is about reclaiming the mandate of the PDP as enshrined in the law,” he added.
He called for restraint among political actors and cautioned against misinterpreting the Forum’s actions as personal attacks or a clash of personalities. “There is no political war here. Chief Ibori remains a respected former governor and founding member of our party, while Hon. Erhiatake is our sister and daughter. This is purely about ensuring that the rules of politics and governance are followed.”
The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to working with the Delta State PDP to ensure that the constituency’s House of Representatives seat, currently considered vacant, is reclaimed by the party.
“We are focused on our mission to take back the mandate. It is about upholding the integrity of our democratic processes, not about personal grievances. Politics should be played without bitterness or name-calling,” Oghenesivbe concluded.
