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Tag: Ifeanyi Okowa

  • Delta Assembly lauds Atiku on Okowa’s selection as running mate

    Delta Assembly lauds Atiku on Okowa’s selection as running mate

    The Delta House of Assembly has commended former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for picking Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate in the 2023 Presidential poll on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s platform.

    The Speaker, Chief Sherriff Oborevwori said this at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday in Asaba.

    “We are grateful to the leadership of the party ably led by the National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, the National Working Committee and all the leaders of the party for the nomination of our hardworking governor as the Vice-Presidential candidate of the PDP.

    ”‘Dear Colleagues on Thursday June 16, our dear governor, emerged as the PDP Presidential running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDP Presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.

    ”On behalf of the Assembly and from the Chair, I wish to formally congratulate Okowa for his emergence as the Vice-Presidential candidate of our great party in the 2023 general elections.

    ”I want to also thank God Almighty for my nomination as the governorship candidate of our great party, PDP and for the celebration of my birthday.

    ”I thank most especially my dependable Majority Leader who led other members of the state House of Assembly to join me in the celebration,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ndokwa East local government counci of the state, Mr Juan Governor has congratulated Okowa on his emergence as Abubakar’s running mate.

    He said that Okowa’s emergence would attract more development to the nation.

    “We are excited and confident that the emergence of Okowa will come with greater development for the people of the state and the country at large.

    ”We wish to further express our profound joy on your deserved elevation as the Vice- Presidential candidate of our great party, the PDP for the 2023 general election.

    ”We are therefore not surprised at this promotion. You have worked so hard for it and deserve the recognition you are getting now. This is just the beginning of so many glorious days ahead,” he said.

    He added:”We the entire people of Ndokwa East are confident that you will provide excellent leadership through PDP, one of the greatest party in Africa, to all expectant citizens.

    ”We are particularly pleased to note that the synergy that is already on between you and Abubakar.”

  • 2023: Okowa didn’t betray anybody – Gov’s aide fires at critics

    2023: Okowa didn’t betray anybody – Gov’s aide fires at critics

    Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu has said the State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa did not betray anybody in emerging as the vice presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Aniagwu, in the company of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, made this known at a news conference on Monday in Asaba, where he said the emergence of Governor Okowa as running mate to Atiku Abubakar was divine.

    He said that he was sure that all PDP stakeholders would work assiduously to ensure that the party is victorious in the 2023 general election.

    The Commissioner charged those criticising Okowa’s elevation to have a rethink, adding that he never betrayed anybody but was chosen because of his performance and determination to bring development to the county.

    He said though, it was natural in politics for certain persons to be annoyed when they could not get certain positions, efforts were on to reconcile the aggrieved persons in the party.

    According to him, Atiku Abubarkar and Okowa’s ticket, as PDP Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates is for recovery to restore our country.

    “They will address issues on insecurity, fix the economy and create enabling environment for growth and development and industrialisation.

    “As PDP, what are we asking for? Is it where the president or the vice president come from or that security, economy and the country be fixed?

    “We want to bring back the old good days where you are comfortable anywhere in the country as brothers and sisters without fear,” he said.

    On the recent loans being sought by the State Government, Aniagwu said the State Government has guaranteed the N25 billion Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) agric loan in the interest of the farmers.

    He also reiterated that the state government was yet to access the N150 billion bridging finance it sought approval from the state House of Assembly.

    “The N25 billion is a CBN loan to assist farmers in the state to increase their yields, particularly in the area of oil palm production in the state.

    “It is normal that the state government guarantees the loan as it is done in other climes to ensure that those profiled for the loan get it and also that they have the capacity to pay back.

    “We keyed into the loan facility to enable our farmers to access the single digit (less than 10) interest rate for the profiled farmers.

    “The agric loan is domiciled in the state Ministry of Agriculture which profiled the farmers and individuals to benefit have been profiled before now and with this, we are empowering our people,” Aniagwu said.

    He added that the Gov. Okowa-led administration would continue to work till the last day in office to deliver development to the people of the state.

  • Okowa is an asset to Nigerians – Atiku

    Okowa is an asset to Nigerians – Atiku

    The 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar  has described OKowa as an asset to all Nigerians.

    Abubakar in his message to Nigerians on Sunday in Abuja said that the office of the president in particular required that the holder of that office to have clarity of the mind on decision-making.

    Abubakar said that the decision of making a running mate and how it was made in countries that have acquired more experiences in democratic acculturation, provided a window of assessing their preparedness for the job that potentially waits ahead of them.

    He said that in meeting up with the expectation, and more importantly to ensure that he make a pick of a running mate that Nigerians shall be proud of, it became necessary for him to be introspective about his choice.

    “The Governor of Delta State, Okowa and I share a lot of personality attributes in common. He is a fine gentleman, but tenacious.

    “His experience as a senator will come in handy in some of the legislative reforms that are urgently needed to reformat our governmental processes.

    “Okowa and I are incurable optimists in the future of Nigeria and the promises it holds as one united, peaceful and prosperous country.

    “Having him on the ticket brings a lot of asset to our campaign,” Abubakar said.

    He said in the months ahead to the general election, him and Okowa together with other leaders of PDP and Nigerians would work very hard to ensure convincing victory for PDP.

    “A victory for the PDP in the general election is a victory for Nigeria. When we win, Nigeria wins.

    “The stakes in the election are very high, and it gives me tremendous joy that I can count on your support to win the election and get to work in earnest.”

  • PDP BOT Chairman, Govs congratulate Atiku on Okowa

    Chairman, People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) Board of Trustees (BOT), Sen. Walid Jibrin advised party members to see the emergence of Ifeanyi Okowa as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate as an act of God.

    Jibrin in a statement in Abuja, urged party faithful to accept the decision and work together for the victory of PDP in 2023 general elections.

    “I urge all PDP members to accept this decision in good faith and give the strongest support to Abubakar as president of Nigeria and his Vice president Chief Okowa as his vice president.

    “Both Muslims and Christians must come together to give all support to them all.

    “All PDP members must come together to unite for PDP to take over from the All Progressives Congress,” he said.

    Also, the former National Chairman of the PDP, Mr Uche Secondus has congratulated former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar for picking Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta as his running mate for 2023 poll.

    Secondus said this in a statement from his media office on Thursday in Abuja.
    “Abubakar is a square peg in a square hole whose pedigree in the nation’s political space remains outstanding and speaks for itself,” he said.

    Secondus said that choice of Okowa as Abubakar running mate was a right step in the right direction.
    “With the picking of a running mate, the candidacy is complete and PDP is now set for the inevitable journey back to Aso Rock come 2023,” he said.

    PDP Governors Forum congratulates Okowa on VP selection

    Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum (PDP-GF) has congratulated Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on his emergence as the Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP for the 2023 general elections.

    The forum felicitated with Okowa in a statement issued by its Chairman, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State in Abuja on Thursday.

    Tambuwal said that the PDP-GF commended the party Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for keeping to his word.

    He said that in particular that the promised to select a serving PDP governor as his running mate, ostensibly not just because of the contributions of the governors to the effective running of the party and its stability, but because of their experience and executive capacity.

    “Gov. Okowa has distinguished himself as Governor of Delta State.

    “He also has cognate legislative experience as a former Senator. He has what it takes to be an effective Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

    The PDP-GF chairman said that the great task of recovering, rescuing and rebuilding Nigeria begins with the Atiku/Okowa ticket.

    Tambuwal, who decried the state of governance; insecurity, economy, education, health and social services in the country, says “with the Atiku/Okowa ticket help is on the way. We shall overcome.”

  • VP slot: I don’t feel Wike is going to be disappointed – Okowa

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has said he does not feel his emergence as running mate to Atiku Abubakar will make the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike disappointed.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Okowa on Thursday emerged as Vice Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of Wike.

    Speaking with newsmen shortly after his official announcement as the party’s running mate for the 2023 presidential election in Abuja, Okowa said: “I know Wike is a very strong party man, he has great love for our party.
    “I believe he is also a good democrat and he understands that when several persons are in the race for a particular position, only one person will be at the front in time. I want to assure you that Wike is a very good man and his interest for this country and party to be able to rise up to the challenge at the moment is strong. I do not feel he is going to be disappointed”.

    The Delta State Governor, meanwhile, said it is now time for the PDP return to power at the centre, after being in the opposition for many years.
    “There is a huge challenge in our nation and PDP has said that it wanted to rescue this country and rebuild it. To be able to do that, you need a man who has the right experience and obviously I have been picked today as vice-presidential candidate of the PDP to rescue Nigeria and to rebuild it.
    “I am truly very excited that I have been asked to join that ticket to be able to work with him as his vice-presidential candidate,” Okowa said.
    He commended the PDP presidential candidate, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and the party leaders for finding him worthy of being its 2023 presidential running mate.
    “Mr President in waiting, I must truly thank you for finding me worthy to be on this ticket. I do know that it was a very tough decision, even as you have spoken this afternoon.
    “But I thank God that among my very qualified colleagues, even those more qualified than me, that I found favour and I’m here today as the vice presidential candidate of the party.
    “While thanking you, I do understand that it’s a great work that is ahead of us. By the special grace of God, we will work hard to ensure victory for the party.
    “There is no doubt that there is a great work ahead of each and every one of us,” Okowa said.
    He added:“The building back process is going to be collective and we are trusting that all of our team members will want to be part of that story at the end of the day.

    “The story which will obviously be positive and will yield positive results, will require that each and every one of us must support our principal as we move forth in the next few months and that at the end, we will win the elections with a landslide victory.”

    This, according to Okowa required a lot of commitment from all PDP members.

    “It will requires the unity of each and every one of us in our various wards, in our various local governments and states. We need the PDP to return to power,” he said.
    He urged party faithful and Nigerians to read through Abubakar’s policy document “My Covenant with Nigerians”, which prescribed solutions challenges facing Nigeria.
    “He is the only one that has been able to come out with a document that you can trust and that document is good for our country Nigeria .

    “ In the next few weeks, you will be hearing a lot from our campaign organisation,” he said.
    Okowa assured Nigerians that the party was in the process of ensuring that the nation was returned back to its glorious days.

    “We are prepared for governance, we are prepared for inclusion and we are prepared to bring Nigeria together.

    “We are prepared to run a governance that is based on integrity and experience,” he said.

  • Netizens knock PDP over choice of Okowa as Atiku running mate

    Few hours after the PDP announced the choice of Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as running mate to Atiku Abubakar in 2023 presidential election, many citizens on social media have come out to express disappointment.

    The account has 423,000 followers had 1,253 comments on the post, with major of them stating how disappointed they are with the choice of Okowa.

    Many of those who reacted to a graphic image post by Atiku on his Instagram page and monitored by TheNewsGuru, saw them expressing disappointment.

    Here is the link to the Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce3Y2wgNcsd/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

    Majority of the reactions as at press time voiced their preference of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

    They said Okowa had not done enough to deserve the compliment, hence said it was a sign of failure on the part of Nigeria’s major opposition party.

    The PDP candidate had said in the post while making the announcement that he looked forward to traveling to all parts of the country with his running mate.

    According to him, their campaign would be built on a future of peace, unity and prosperity for all citizens.

  • Running mate: It was difficult deciding on Okowa – Atiku Abubakar

    Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has said it was difficult deciding on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Atiku made this known on Thursday, stressing that three eminently qualified persons were recommended, out of which he picked Okowa.

    The former Vice President, who spoke at the unveiling of his running mate at the PDP national secretariat in Abuja on Thursday, said: “It is a difficult decision that I was called upon to take. But, as someone hoping to lead a complex country such as ours, tough and difficult decisions would remain a part of my everyday life.

    “Let me, therefore, start this momentous journey with a crucial decision about who, among the eminently qualified shortlist, would be my running mate. Accordingly, let me state that the person I have chosen as my running mate possesses all those identified qualities.

    “He personifies not only the seriousness the current moment represents for our country but also the future that our young people yearn for and deserve. He is a serving state governor who has demonstrated, in his state and through his conduct, that governance is about service to the people”.

    Abubakar added: “Please join me in welcoming to the ticket the next Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Gov. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa”.

  • 2023: Gov Okowa reacts after emerging running mate to Atiku Abubakar

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has pledged to join hands with the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to rescue Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Okowa made the pledge on Thursday shortly after emerging as the Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP for the 2023 presidential election.

    Okowa emerged as the running mate to Abubakar after defeating the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike to the Vice Presidential ticket of the PDP.

    Okowa stated: “I thank God for this rare privilege, and I appreciate our flagbearer, His Excellency, Alhaji @Atiku Abubakar, and other leaders of our Party for this great honour.

    “I pledge to join hands with His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the leaders and stakeholders of our party, and all patriotic Nigerians to rescue our country from the precipice”.

    Meanwhile, the PDP in Delta State has congratulated Okowa on his emergence as the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate, on the joint ticket with Abubakar as Presidential Candidate for the 2023 general elections.

    The congratulatory message was contained in a Press Statement by Delta PDP State Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, which hailed the choice as well-merited and described it as a tremendous call to service, in the quest by the PDP to rescue Nigeria from the suffocating leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2023.

    The statement reads: “Your Excellency, Senator, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the Executive Governor of Delta State and our undisputed leader, Delta State PDP heartily congratulates you, Sir, on your well-deserved emergence and unanimous acceptance, as the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate and Running Mate to our distinguished Presidential Candidate, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 general elections.

    “Your emergence, after a rigorous, comprehensive, and highly anticipated process, is not only a clear testimony of the respect, acceptance, and goodwill you command and enjoy amongst your peers, leaders, elders, stakeholders, and teeming membership of our great party, it is most importantly, a tremendous call to service in the quest by the PDP to rescue Nigeria from the suffocating leadership of All Progressives Congress, APC, in 2023.

    “We have never doubted your excellent leadership and organizational qualities, the astute and strategic savvy of your all-inclusive political brinkmanship, as well as the articulate, sterling administrative acumen, which we have already witnessed first hand in Delta State, and we are fully convinced you will bring all these to bear in the unbeatable partnership with His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who himself is an accomplished leader, first-class administrator and a globally recognized business mogul and development tzar.

    “The unwavering mission to rescue Nigeria and Nigerians from the strangulation of the APC leadership is an urgent, critical responsibility, which cannot be delayed anymore and your presence on the joint ticket, has already engendered a peaceful and calming effect within the party, infused renewed confidence and optimism amongst the masses and established a reassuring balance in the collective hopes and expectations of Nigerians, that the PDP is at last ready, focused and prepared to take on the task ahead, and emerge victorious in the end.

    “This is your National stage, Your Excellency and as you embark on the campaigns across the length and breadth of the Country with the incoming President, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Nigerians will feel and know and be convinced that they are going to have a Vice President who will speak for the people, stand by the people and is one with the people in 2023 and beyond”.

  • Delta Assembly approves Gov. Okowa’s request of N25bn credit facility

    Delta Assembly approves Gov. Okowa’s request of N25bn credit facility

    The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday approved a request by Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa to take a N25 billion bank facility for oil palm production,.

    The governor’s request is contained in a letter read at a plenary session by the Speaker, Chief Sherriff Oborevwori.

    Okowa said that the credit facility to be taken at the First City Monument Bank Plc. would go for the development of 17,345.5 hectares of palm plantation.

    It is designed to take advantage of CBN’s oil palm development initiative.

    Motion for the approval of the governor’s request was moved by the Majority leader of the House, Chief Ferguson Onwo, and seconded by the Minority Leader of the Assembly, Mr Innocent Anidi.

    Delta Govt. yet to access N150bn bridging finance – Okowa

    Meanwhile, Governor Okowa has on Tuesday said the state government was yet to access its N150 billion bridging finance.

    The governor disclosed this while speaking to newsmen shortly after inspecting ongoing works at the Koka flyover bridge and interchange in Asaba.

    He said that the funds had not reached the state government because the Federal Government has not commenced remittances to the state, contrary to the agreement.

    Okowa said that the Koka flyover bridge is among the projects that the bridging finance was meant to cover.

    He said, “when the money is available, we will be able to use it to upscale these projects.

    “The bridging finance is actually a finance that we already have a source of repayment.
    “Rather than allow the depreciation of the Naira or the extension of time at work create a cost escalation for us, our intention is to take a bridging finance and then pay back from the monies that the Federal Government owes us.

    “But as at today, we have not even accessed the bridging finance because the repayment plan from the Federal Government, which is supposed to have started by January has not commenced; they have not made any remittances to the state.

    “Some states have taken a part of their own bridging finance because we are not the only state involved. But for us, we intend to wait until the refund process starts before accessing the bridging finance.

    “So, we have not yet accessed that bridging finance at the moment but we have got the approval of the House of Assembly.

    “I hear that some of our brothers who don’t even understand governance, have tried to critique the situation but unfortunately, when some people don’t understand what is in government and how you can save funds for the people, they could talk politics and criticise.

    “But I am very confident that whatever we are about to do, we are doing it in the best interest of the state; we are trying to save money for the state, we are trying to save situations where you have cost overrun and cost escalations.

    “We do hope that as soon as the first set of refunds come from  the Federal Government, we would be able to access the bridging finance to be able to scale up the speed of the major projects that we have as listed before the House of Assembly and utilise the money for some other sources.

    “But as at today, we are still coping and we hope that very soon the Federal Government will start the process of refund and we will be in a position to ensure that we speed up all the projects we have”.

    The governor explained that a slowdown and depreciation of the naira could be a major disaster because the bridging finance was meant to be a cost saving measure for the state.

    On the Koka flyover project, he expressed optimism that the project would be completed in December, 2022.

    “I can actually see that work is on schedule and they have gone very far from the briefing that I received from the Commissioner for Works.

    “You know that when we came in last, they told me that they would try and finish it in February, next year, but I put a lot of pressure and insisted that we wanted it completed this year.

    “The information I received is that they are still working very hard to ensure that they finish the project by the middle of December.

    “From what we can see, the super structure of the bridge is already on and a lot of work is being done and by October, it is expected that this would have finished completely.

    “And, the work to provide the full interchange with the road network under would also be started in due course. They have promised that they are right on time and that they would be finishing before that end of the year.

    “I am quite excited at this because it’s quite important to us. More so, when we are anticipating that the sector C2 of the Ughelli-Asaba road would be completed about the same time.

    “If there is free flow of traffic coming from Ogwashi-ukwu end to this place on a dual carriage way, it is important that we also have this completed about the same time.

    “We don’t want a clogging of traffic and it appears everything is going on as planned so I am quite happy with the pace of work,” Okowa said.

  • 2023: Only God can stop Okowa from being Atiku’s running mate – Gov’s aide

    Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu has said only God can stop Governor Ifeanyi Okowa from being the running mate to Atiku Abubakar for the 2023 presidential election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Aniagwu made this known on Monday during a press conference in Asaba, the State capital.

    After Atiku emerged as the presidential flagbearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), conversations on who becomes his deputy has remained on the front burner.

    Aniagwu stressed that nobody could block Okowa’s chances of becoming the running mate to Atiku, adding he has contributed positively to the growth of the party, which he does not brag about, as a true party man.

    Reacting to speculations that former Governor James Ibori was secretly working against Okowa’s chances to be Atiku’s running mate, Aniagwu said the rumours were the handiwork of fifth columnists.

    Maintaining that Ibori would never work against the Governor’s interest, the Information Commissioner acknowledged that Ibori remained a political leader in the state.

    He added that there was no rife between Okowa and Ibori.

    “The governor has contributed to the growth of the PDP, he doesn’t boast about it because as a member of the party he has the responsibility to do that.

    “You also know how many times the party brought him in to assist in conducting primaries. I am not aware if there is anybody who is bringing any roadblock, if there is anybody who is going to block Okowa, I think it should be God.

    “And the last time I checked I don’t think he has offended God for God to take that decision against him.

    “So we are on course, I don’t think there is any problem between Okowa and Ibori, these are persons who have worked together very closely.

    “And Okowa has continued to respect our leader, Chief James Ibori. I have not heard Ibori speak evil of Okowa neither have I heard my boss speak badly of Ibori,” Aniagwu said.