Pascal Nwaoranine Adigwe
It was, perhaps, not surprising to those who have watched political development in Delta State since 2011 especially as it concerns the contest for elective offices, most especially among the Anioma nation or people that Pascal Adigwe’s name appeared prominently on the list of advisers to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
And like they say, Adigwe has worked hard for Okowa’s victory at the polls on April 11 2014 and therefore, deserves to be called upon to help the governor bring to his “prosperity for Deltans” electioneering catch phrase to fruition. He will be doing that as a Special Adviser to the Governor on National Assembly Matters and Inter-governmental Liaison. As part of his job description, Adigwe will be representing the governor in Abuja and beyond on state matters. And expectedly, he hit the ground running when he played a huge role in the recent official visit of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, to Asaba, the state capital.
But for those who do not know what Adigwe did or where he is coming from, this article will try, within the limited space, unveil the man his peers, pals, political colleagues affectionately refers to as Nwaoranine.
Adigwe set out on his political odyssey in 2003 when he was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to represent Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency of Delta State.
Born in Ogwashi Uku, Ogbe-Ogwudei Quarters to be precise some decades ago, in Aniocha South Local Government Area, he attended the University of Ibadan and Benin for his first and second degrees in Statistics and Finance respectively.
While at the House of Representatives, (2003-2007) Adigwe was the chairman House Committee, Federal Housing Authority among others.
It is on record that as legislator, he did not only gave his constituency a responsive representation by making his voice heard on the floor of the Green Chamber, he was instrumental to the attraction of many projects to his constituency, especially the Ogwashi Uku Dam which is yet to be completed because his successors did not give the project the kind of priority attention Nwaoranine accorded it. And today, the dam is among the numerous abandoned projects dotting the nation’s landscape.
Though, he spent only one term at the Green Chambers, his achievements still remain indelible in the constituency. Towns like Illah, the hometown of former Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi and Oko still boast of a water project he facilitated just as many towns and village benefited from rural roads network and hospitals he attracted from Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). But for his dogged demand, Aniocha/Oshilimi Federal Constituency incorporated into areas that benefits from NDDC projects; this he did as member of the House of Representatives.
After his eventful tenure at the National Assembly (NASS), he tried, albeit, unsuccessful to bounce back to political reckoning in the state. In 2012, he aspired to the chairman position of PDP in Delta State but was asked to step-down for another aspirant instead of being encouraged to test his popularity among his party members. This was after he had aspired to represent Delta North Senatorial District in 2011 but stepped-down for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who also contested for the position.
Adigwe’s labour of love for Delta PDP, which has ruled Delta State since 1999, include Chief Presidential Returning officer 2011, Chairman, Committee On Logistics and Protocol PDP Campaign 2011, Member-Delta State Government Caucus 2003-2007 Returning Agent 2011 general elections among others too numerous to be listed here.
This year, Adigwe vied for the ticket of PDP to enable him contest Delta North Senatorial election but party leaders gave the ticket to Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, the immediate past chairman of the party in the state. That did not deter him in accepting the party’s offer to head Nwaoboshi’s campaign in the entire senatorial district. A job he did so well that Nwaoboshi triumphed over his main opponent, former Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei and his financial war chest.
So when Adigwe’s name was included in the list of those who will offer Okowa the pieces of advice he will need to turn the state into a land of prosperity for all, it was not surprising to those who are abreast with what the son of Chief Lord-Michael and Ifeanyi Adigwe has done in the political arena since 1999.
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