By Jon Egie
Our attention is drawn to an article titled ‘Delta 2023: David Edevbie
Nightmare begins with elder brother journey to prison ‘purportedly
authored by one Barr Godwin Onoriode. Based on the contents of the
presentation, it would seem that the writer proffered useful advice
that could benefit the Urhobo cause for 2023. However, based on the
way the article was syndicated to various press houses, it was not
difficult to detect the source and the true identity of the writer has
been easily unmasked.
While we appreciate the writer and political interest he represents
for seemingly acknowledging the well-known truth that Olorogun David
Edevbie is the “potential” governor of Delta State comes 2023, we
would like to correct the wrong impression that he (David) will be
imposed on Deltans. May we remind the writer that Olorogun David
Edevbie was the choice political ambassador of the Urhobo people in
2014 when the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) endorsed him. We all know
who the other contestants were at the time. We, therefore, see no
reason why the writer chose to drag Chief James Ibori name into his
discourse and accuse the revered politician of having sworn to impose
David Edevbie as governor of Delta State come 2023 “by hook or crook”.
That was clearly a feeble attempt to vilify the political prowess and
leadership charisma of Ibori that is accepted and respected by the
political class of Delta State as a national leader. No politician in
Delta State would toe the line of such insults, including the Deputy
President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator
Ovie Omo-Agege. So, what was the writer’s motive?
It is evident that the writer, out of a devious intent to smear the
reputation of Olorogun David Edevbie deliberately skidded on to the
path of propaganda in an attempt to titillate and manipulate the
public trust, confidence and respect for the Edevbie family. The
writer did so by referring to June 8, 2020, Federal High Court, Lagos
Order of interim forfeiture of the sum of N827,679,098 from an account
purportedly belonging to Engineer Matthew Edevbie, a contractor with
the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as the nemesis of
Olorogun David Edevbie ahead of 2023 governorship election.
The writer’s comments are wholly prejudicial, knowing full well that
the matter is due for hearing on June 29. It is a well-established
principle that an accused has the right to defend himself. The writer
also went ahead to insinuate that Olorogun Matthew Edevbie would be
sent to jail and the writer and his political paymaster noted that
Edevbie’s ‘”opponent” would feast on the “ordeal” to further
manipulate the people not to vote Olorogun David Edevbie which the
writer sees as the biggest river David will be crossing ahead of 2023.
It is good that the writer acknowledged that he had little or no
knowledge of the nexus between David and Matthew and such ignorance
should have guided him in keeping mute over matters that were not of
his concern rather than playing to the gallery in an attempt to
mislead the public.
For the writer’s information, Matthew Edevbie is David’s uncle and is
a businessman of international repute, a seasoned Engineer with over
30 years in various aspects of electrical engineering concept, design,
procurement, construction, operations management, maintenance and
consulting. A Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE),
member of the Nigeria Institute of Management Consultants, registered
member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria
(COREN), The Nigeria Environmental Society and active member of
Enterprise Development Services (EDS) of the Lagos Business School.
Matthew Edevbie is the Chief Executive Officer/MD of Income Electrix
Limited, with offices in Port Harcourt and other cities across Nigeria
and West Africa. He is also the MD of 4Power Construction Limited
among other companies and a major stakeholder in PortHarcourt
Electricity Distribution Company, PHEDC. He is an active contractor
with the NDDC.
How could the writer say that a man of such local and international
stature and who has a voice in deciding the economic dial of Nigeria
is “very slow to act” and hence, the June 8, Lagos High Court Order
brouhaha?
It is on record that recently, Income Electrix got a contract from the
NDDC to power some communities in Rivers State. According to the MD of
NDDC, Prof Nelson Brambaifa, the contract is an ongoing pilot project
listing Ubiama, Isiokpo and several communities in Ikwere LGA as
beneficiaries. The project is near completion with the installation of
eight transformers in Ubiama and the communities will receive
electricity supply from two electric substations in Ahoada and
Rumuosi. Eze Blessing Wagor, Chairman of Supreme Council of Ikwere
traditional rulers praised NDDC for the restoration of electricity to
the communities after several years of blackout while the NDDC was
proud of its contractor, Income Electrix headed by Matthew Edevbie.
Does the writer now see the folly behind his self- made fear that if
Olorogun David Edevbie is elected governor of Delta State, he would
use the State’s funds to service his “brother’s” (Matthew) company?
That is a misguided assumption that can only have emerged from a
poorly schooled mind. Matthew is already a well-established
businessman. The writers’ weak attempts to link Engineer Matthew’s
current business travails to his nephew’s so-called governorship
ambition is mischievous, to say the least. Challenges are normal in
life and must be tackled when such, as the writer presented, arise as
we expect Matthew to do on 29th June 2020.
Meanwhile, let me assure the writer that Olorogun David Edevbie’s road
to becoming the governor of Delta State come 2023, if he chooses to
run, is “within reach”, and there is no Achilles’heel to conquer on
the path of success and ultimate victory for the PDP, Delta State and
the Urhobo people in general.