Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
MR Solomon Funkekeme, Director-General of the PDP Campaign Organisation in Delta State, has profusely begged the immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, for forgiveness over past betrayals.
Funkekeme pleaded for forgiveness during a meeting of the leaders of PDP Delta South Senatorial District held at the home of Dr Uduaghan in Warri, Delta State on Saturday to kick off campaigns in the district.
Stonix News recalled that Funkekeme was the Commissioner for Works and a member of the inner caucus of Uduaghan’s cabinet when his government held sway in the state.
But shortly after the exit of his boss from power, Mr Funkekeme aligned with his new-found boss, incumbent Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and was later spotted in the media hurling insults on his benefactor, Uduaghan.
Funkekeme, who was Director General of the Ifeanyi Okowa Re-Election Governorship Campaign, had falsely accused his former boss, Uduaghan of colluding with the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains to instigate a reign of terror on the state.
He had specifically accused Uduaghan of orchestrating a do-or-die politicking and “bent on turning Delta State into a theatre of war and unleash potential orgy of blood-bath in Delta State.”
Stonix News reports that as of then, Dr Uduaghan had defected to the APC and become the Delta South Senatorial District candidate ahead of the 2019 general elections, having been earlier denied the ticket in the PDP.
Responding to the accusation of Mr Funkekeme, Uduaghan had written on his Facebook page saying: “My brother, my friend, my former Commissioner for Works, Funkekeme Solomon, I celebrate you today and always.
“The anti-Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan virus has bitten you. Thought you will be the last person to manifest the symptoms. I was wrong.
“As an inner caucus member of my team for over 14 years, I know you are well aware of my commitment and dedication to promoting peace.
“In and out of government, I will continue to do so. I have always preached against election violence.
“You and I prepared for, executed and won several elections. Did we ever budget for thuggery? Did we ever buy guns or military uniforms?”
But came Saturday November 12, perhaps the first time he’s meeting with his former boss after the alleged political betrayal, Mr Funkekeme begged Dr Uduaghan, who has, since, returned to the PDP fold, to forgive him and other members of the party who had trespassed against him.
Funkekeme and his boss, Okowa, definitely need all the supports to win elections both at the state and national levels and Uduaghan, who’s the father of the PDP in Delta South cannot be wished away.
“Your Excellency, please, forgive us our sins. Many of us have sinned against you,” he pleaded profusely.
Known for his contrite heart, Dr Uduaghan, who hosted the meeting in his home in Warri, while responding, described the gathering as a “reconciliation meeting.”
According to him, “Power belongs to God. At least, I have seen power before. It wasn’t by my power that I saw power.
“I want to plead with us. Make we be like water. Water nor get enemy. When you quarrel, fight and God says this is what I want, let’s respect that position.”
He explained that there were bound to be issues in a family, but that does not mean members should begin to kill each other.
“Whatever is in your hearts, please give a space – a space that gives support to our presidential and vice presidential candidates.”
He urged stakeholders and leaders of the PDP to support all candidates of the party vying for elective positions in 2023, including Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who is the vice presidential candidate of the party.
Uduaghan’s remarks are seen as having put paid to speculations of a possible internal combustion of the PDP after the torturous legal tussle between protege of former Governor James Ibori, David Edevbie, and Okowa’s choice, Speaker Sheriff Oborevwori which eventually favoured the latter as Delta PDP governorhip candidate.
Addressing the enlarged meeting further, Uduaghan said; “We must all come together and deliver our candidate. I am saying this with all seriousness and from the bottom of my heart.
“I am old enough in the politics of Delta State to assess people so I know those who are sincere and those who are not sincere.
“It will benefit us more to deliver our candidate than deliver a candidate of another party.
“I am saying this from experience and that’s what will happen. If you deliver a new candidate, he will satisfy his people first before you.”
Earlier, the PDP Chairman in Delta South Senatorial District, Hon. Julius Takeme, said the party was ready to go into electioneering campaigns which will begin Monday, November 14, urging party members in the 87 wards in the district to brace up.
Takeme commended Dr. Uduaghan for playing the fatherly role to all of them, especially in the Delta South Senatorial District.