Delta Govt Sacks Aide Over Support for Peter Obi Ahead of 2023 Election

2023 Presidency: Okowa-led Delta Govt Sacks Aide Over Support for Peter Obi

The political atmosphere ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections continues to generate controversy, as the Delta State Government has dismissed a media aide over alleged support for Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Atare Awin, who served as a media technical aide to the Delta State Commissioner for Project Monitoring and Audit, Anthony Onoriode Ofoni, was relieved of her duties following a social media post perceived to be sympathetic to Obi’s growing support base.

Before her dismissal, Awin was actively involved in overseeing the Directorate of Project Monitoring and Audit in the state, a role considered key in tracking government projects and accountability.

Her removal is believed to be linked to a Facebook post in which she defended supporters of Obi, popularly known as “Obedients,” many of whom are drawn from traditional party lines.

“Most of the ‘obedients’ are PDP and APC people who are tired of bad government. Does that mean they don’t have a voter’s card?” she wrote.

The statement, which quickly gained attention online, reportedly did not sit well with government officials in Delta State, where Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was also the party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.

In a letter personally signed by Commissioner Ofoni, Awin’s disengagement was justified on the grounds that her public views contradicted the policies and achievements of the state government.

The letter read in part:

“This decision became necessary owing to your well-publicized opinions on the policies and programs of the Delta State Government and PDP at large, which are in contradiction to what the State Government had achieved in the last 7 years.”

The commissioner further emphasized his need to dissociate from Awin’s remarks, reiterating the administration’s stance on its performance.

“As a Commissioner and member of the State Executive Council, I wish to distance myself from the opinions you expressed on your platforms, as it does not represent my stand on the performance of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa administration…”

Political analysts say the incident highlights the growing tension within Nigeria’s political space ahead of the elections, where loyalty within party structures is increasingly being tested by shifting public sentiment.

According to observers, the rise of alternative political movements, particularly among young voters, has led to internal cracks within major parties like the PDP and APC, with some members openly expressing dissent.

Awin’s dismissal underscores the delicate balance between personal political expression and party allegiance, especially for individuals holding public or political appointments.