UNVEILING HON FRED MARTINS AND THE TEMPERAMENT OF A SPEAKER

June 9,2023

By Comr Lucky Futughe -Warri

As the June 13, 2023 proclamation date draw closer, the need to elect a Speaker with the right temperament and or charisma cannot be over emphasized. It is a known fact that stable legislature enhances good governance in the overall interests of the state. This article will succinctly review the leadership of the State House of Assembly in a chronological order from 1999 till date and the reason why Hon Martins is a square peg in a square hole from the arrays of aspirants lobbying for the speakership position. 

The return of democracy in 1999 was heralded with ubiquitous impeachment of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly across the country. Some of the impeachment processes took violent dimensions and sometimes led to fatal results.  This is synonymous to a civilian coup which is acceptable within democratic practices globally. However, this act is a distraction to the government of the day and entire state.  The primary functions of making laws are suspended during such impeachment processes. It is worthy to note that over the years, Delta State House of Assembly has enjoyed relative stability in the legislature with the last speaker spending over six(6) years and transiting from assembly to another. This has provided the enabling environment to make laws for the good governance of the state. The leadership of Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori witnessed the legislature shunning out quality bills for the advancement of the state. Therefore, it is pertinent to have the right leadership in the State House of Assembly for seamless government operations.

The date of proclamation is just around the corner and negotiations is intensifying. While some are already in unholy alliances with opposition due to desperation others chose a more strategic approaches. Amongst the four (4) aspirants, Hon Fred Martins standout with the right blend of cognate legislative prowess embellished leadership charisma with a touch of unusually calm temperament and or personality required to provide a robust leadership for the legislature needed to support the new administration of HE Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori. While we agree that other aspirants are PDP members, their actions in recent times have revealed the WIKE'S SPIRIT in them. This spirit is very dangerous and for the People's Democratic Party in the state. Hence, we cannot afford to elect a speaker whose allegiance is remote, thereby holding the Governor to ransom. It is no long news that a former warlord is negotiating for speakership while he is  heavily in hot romance with the APC led Federal Government due to juicy contract awarded to him by the previous administration. This romance is a time bomb waiting to happen if he succeeds in his attempt to hoodwink members to elect his preferred choice as speaker. Consequently, the immediate past Governor HE Sent(Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, HE Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, Sen James Manager and other party stalwarts across the three(3) senatorial district should reach out to their members elect to ensure they elect a speaker that is 100% PDP with the right blend of leadership qualities. 

Besides, it is worthy to mention that zoning has made it possible for other tribes to attain strategic positions in the governance structure of the state. It is pertinent to remind those from other ethnic groups in Delta South Senatorial District contesting with the  Itsekiris to note that if they continue in the speakership race till their eventual defeat, the 2031 Governorship primaries shall be free for all since they have failed to respect the gentleman understanding prevailing in the district. It is easier to form an alliance now for future victory.

Consequently, Hon Fred Martins is the best bet for the speakership position with better and more purposeful leadership haven grown through the ranks as an elected councilor/leader of the house with so many strategic appointments in Government executing unbelievable tasks with dead precision.