Delta ready for female governor

Now that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has released its timetable and the primaries for governorship set for November 29, pundits are scrutinising the aspirants. Assuming Delta State jettisons godfatherism and the ills of imposition of candidates, then every aspirant will be examined under a microscope to determine, who is the best suited candidate to govern the state and take over from Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. The governor says he will not choose his successor. Additionally, foremost Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin K. Clark, has warned party leaders that there must be no imposition and that politics in Delta has matured beyond such practice. We will take both men at their words because they are both cognizant of the danger facing PDP, should some aggrieved aspirants take their structures and resources to the opposition party. There are currently over 30 candidates jostling to occupy Dennis Osadebey House in less than nine months. In Delta North, where the governorship appears headed, there are over 20 candidates in the race. The issue of zoning or equity/power shift appears to have been resolved, although there is still opposition in some quarters. Nonetheless, zoning or no zoning, some of us are agitating for the best qualified person to take over the mantle of leadership and take Delta State to a higher level. In examining the aspirants, one who clearly stands out is Dr. Mrs. Esther Uduehi, who hails from Obiaruku in Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta North.. A knight of St. Gregory with her husband, she is not even asking to be considered on the basis of being from Delta North, which is her paternal hometown. Nonetheless, it is worth knowing that her mother is from Orogun (Delta Central), while she grew up and spent a significant amount of time in Delta South, making her a complete and detribalized Deltan. What is also peculiar about Uduehi is her academic qualifications, professional experience and political acumen. The aspirant, who holds a doctorate degree in public administration, is of amazing pedigree. Once you get past her humility and eloquence, you will see a seasoned administrator and technocrat, who was a graduate teacher and principal and eventually retired as a Permanent Secretary in the defunct Bendel State. While in the civil service, she was the Chief Executive Officer of one of the largest local government areas and sole administrator of Bendel Broadcasting Service (Radio and Television). She was a Presidential Adviser and is now the Chairman, Governing Board, National Commission For Mass Literacy, Adult And Non-Formal Education. Alex O. Atawa Akpodiete , a public affairs analyst, is based in Asaba