𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐎𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐁𝐈’𝐒 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐋𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐏𝐒 𝐃𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐄𝐙𝐄𝐂𝐇𝐈 𝐈𝐍 𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐊𝐖𝐀/𝐔𝐊𝐖𝐔𝐀𝐍𝐈 𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐒 𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄, 𝐀𝐏𝐂 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄-𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓

Ndokwa Ukwuani Federal Constituency.

Matthias Osanebi, younger brother of former Delta State Deputy Speaker Friday Osanebi, has reportedly withdrawn from the race for the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat. 

According to multiple reports, Matthias Osanebi has stepped down in favour of gincumbent Rep. Nnamdi Ezechi. The decision was allegedly brokered by Mr. Hilary Obi Ibegbulem, Principal Secretary to former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

With Matthias out, the All Progressives Congress [APC] primary is now a three-way contest that mirrors the constituency’s local government split: Rep. Nnamdi Ezechi representing Ndokwa East, Ossai N. Ossai representing Ndokwa West, and Chukwuemeke K. Victor representing Ukwuani LGA. Candidates from other political parties are also expected to contest in the general election.

Questions:

Why did Matthias Osanebi step down now? Was it a negotiated deal, party directive, or a personal decision?

Can Mathias Osanebi be trusted in future elections?* Having stepped down now, will voters see him as someone who makes strategic sacrifices for the bloc, or as someone who can’t follow through when it counts?