BY EMMA ARUBI & JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

…as Nwaoboshi retains chairmanship position in Delta
CALABAR- CHAIRMAN of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Cross River State, Ntufam Epko Okon, Secretary of the party and 17 other state executives were dropped in a surprising circumstance in last Saturday’s state congress.

Meanwhile, former clerk of the State House of Assembly, Ntufam John Okon, was returned as consensus chairman; Mr. Fidel Egoro, former chairman of Yala Local Government Area was returned deputy chairman while a former chairman of Yakurr Local Government Area, Mr Godwin Eta emerged secretary in the exercise. Nine other members of the executive made the consensus list.

Also returned unopposed was the former party Secretary, Chief Solomon Ogba now on the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, representing Delta State. 27 other state executive members were also elected.

Meanwhile, Mr. Peter Nwaoboshi, retained his position as chairman in Delta State, following the party’s congress in Asaba, the state capital.

Although Chief Edwin Clark, leader of a faction of the party in Delta State was absent, the congress appeared to have signaled the end of the protracted crisis, which had polarized the party, as notable aggrieved members of the party who had decamped to other parties during the crisis were present and voted.

These include Peter Okocha, the governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress, AC in 2007, and Chief Ovie Omo-Agege, the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, 2011 elections.

In Warri, Delta State, Mr. Godwin Edumoegiren emerged the consensus candidate for the chairmanship position in Buruitu local Government Local Government Area of the state.