Delta 2023: Majemite Campaign Org Rejects Screening Committee’s Report  Race 

The Majemite Campaign Organization, MCO, have rejected the report of the Screening Committee set up by DC-23, noting that the report does not represent the wishes of the majority of Delta Central and Deltans in general.

Dr. Ovie Edomi, Campaign Manager and Head of Media/ Public Communication,

Majemite Campaign Organization in a statement he signed and made available to our reporter following the release of the Screening Committee’s report yesterday, expressed misgivings about the way and manner the committee carried out it’s task which he said lacked transparency.

He also doubted the integrity of the committee members which rumour already had were working for a particular candidate.

The statement reads: “The report of the Screening Committee set up by DC-23 which was presented yesterday does not represent the wishes of the majority of Delta Central and Deltans in general.

“But this did not come as a surprise to most of us Deltans because speculations have been on-going concerning how the group is working for a particular candidate but Olorogun Barrister Fred Majemite decided to respect the Urhobo leaders despite the rumour making the rounds believing that the Screening Committee made up of academics, clerics and other distinguished Urhobos will not be allowed to be used to hatch the plan of some persons.”

Dr. Edomi not only faulted the criteria used in the screening as lacking in probity and moral guage; he challenged members of the committee to avail the general public the working criteria for selection of the five candidates picked by the committee.

He said, “The disturbing thing which equally makes the DC-23 Screening Committee’s report unacceptable is that the Committee listed five persons without stating the criteria for selecting the five.

“One expects a report of this nature if it must be credible and acceptable to follow some procedures that show transparency, fairness, objectivity, constitutional democracy and respect for human rights.”

Obviously disappointed at the less than transparent way the committee carried out it’s assignment, Dr. Edomi as the members to explain the benchmark applied in determining the process.

“For instance the Screening Committee’s term of reference includes picking an Urhobo aspirant using certain criteria. If we may ask how did the Committee rate and determined the financial strength of the aspirants?

“Did the Screening Committee equally carry out a poll to know the popularity / acceptance rating of the Urhobo aspirants by the generality of Deltans? “How did the Committee measure the capabilities of the aspirants. How was their health status and fitness determined?

“Equally astonishing is how an aspirant who attended the screening only once out of three stages of the screening excercise made the list.”

He said the committee left right thinking people in doubt of their capacity to do a thorough job, wondering: “were they playing a written script as was being speculated?

“Again, we were not surprised because one of the Committee members had confided in a respected Cleric in the land that the screening Committee was being teleguided hence the inclusion of an aspirant who attended the screening excercise once.”

He explained that the Screening Committee member further told the notable cleric that the aspirant who attended only once but made the list of five will not make the last three.

“At the end of the screening excercise, we will not be surprised that the name that has been speculated as the one the Committee is working for, will emerge”, saying:

“At that point, Urhobos and Deltans will realize that we have all been taken for granted.”

The MCO head failure of the committee to carry along the press and civil society 0rgaisations is a pointer that the committee set out to do a shoddy job.

“We expected the Screening Committee to invite members of the press to the screening excercise including Civil rights organizations but it was not so all through the entire excercises.

“This action and the eventual report which has been predicted will only strengthen Olorogun Barrister Fred Majemite the more .

“To us Olorogun Barrister Fred Majemite is the most qualified, so we fault the Screening Committee for coming up with this script called report which does not reflect public expectations.”

He said despite the committee’s controversial report, Olorogun Fred Majemite remains in the gubernatorial race, even as he expressed his principal’s belief on the desire of the elders of Urhobo kingdom to do the right thing.

“Majemite, who is a frontline aspirant for 2023 governorship election in Delta State, will continue to pursue his ambition and the campaign organization will drive the process to a logical conclusion.

“Furthermore, Majemite believes in our party the PDP and its leaders in the state as well as at the national level. He believes they have the final say on who becomes the flag bearer of the party.

“Till they so decide, we shall continue to seek the support of all, including the members of Urhobo Progressive Union, UPU, the apex Urhobo Cultural group and other unions that have men and women of undiluted integrity.”

The statement reads further: “Once again, we honestly reject the report of the lobby group screening committee.

“Let it be placed on record that Majemite is a man of peace and would continue to reach out to the people to promote his manifesto in preparation for party primaries in 2022.

“Whatever yardstick used to judge the pedigree and eligibility of those shortlisted remain an internal intrigue of the lobby group, and it is completely rejected as long as the process lack depth, transparency, fairness, objectivity and democratic tendencies.

“We therefore urge all supporters and political associates of Olorogun Barrister Fred Majemite in Delta Central Senatorial District and across Delta State and beyond to keep hope alive.”