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Tag: Ifeanyi Okowa

  • 2023: Okowa’s aide slams DUG over defection to APC

    2023: Okowa’s aide slams DUG over defection to APC

    …says is a group of expired politicians

    Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Media, Nelson Egware, has berated members of the new Delta Unity Group (DUG) who recently defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    In a statement on Monday in Asaba, Egware described the DUG members as a group of failed politicians and intolerant losers who had their time in privileged positions in the past but have apparently failed to justify the privileged positions by impacting meaningfully in the lives of the people.

    Describing the decision of the defecting members of the DUG as the last kicks of a dying horse, Egware said that no one pulls down the house he helped to build.

    He stated that the celebration of DUG members defection by the Deputy President of the Senate and Governorship candidate of the APC, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, was “dead in the water” because his gubernatorial ambition would fall flat on election day.

    He said that Omo-Agege’s claim that the DUG members made things happen for the PDP in the past was fallacious and mendacious as the party was not built around individuals or any leader for that matter but firmly around the people.

    Egware said, “I was waiting to see the new names Omo-Agege was calling a tsunami, but alas! the defectors were same disgruntled party members that already left the party due to personal reasons.

    “Many of them were not pleased with the emergence of Hon Sheriff Oborevwori as governorship candidate of the party and derided him with all manner of unprintable names but they forgot the place of grace in the life of any man.

    “Oborevwori’s choice as gubernatorial candidate is divine and no amount of gangup will derail the M.O.R.E. Agenda from manifesting in the state because whom God has blessed, no man can curse.”

    Egware, who is also Delta State Liaison Officer, Strategic Communications, PDP Presidential Campaign Council, noted that the dice were loaded against Omo-Agege in the gubernatorial contest adding that no amount of gangup and propaganda would give him victory over Oborevwori.

    “I maintain that before 12noon on election day, the duo of Sheriff Oborevwori and Monday Onyeme would have defeated Omo-Agege in the gubernatorial contest.

    “PDP stands strong and solid and the exit of one or two leaders is of no significance to the corporate existence of the party in the state because the party is solidly rooted in the people.

    “The DUG members claimed to be the intellectual arm of the PDP and they have failed to see the handwriting on the wall because they were fighting a lost battle.

    “They tried it in the party primary and lost, they went through the whole hog in legal battle up to the Supreme Court and lost, now some of them have decided to pitch tent with the opposition in the state but more defeat awaits them because their evil machinations against Oborevwori will not work.

    “The PDP is firmly rooted in Delta because they have a foothold on the people as a party built around the people and not built around any leader(s). It is simply a grassroots party; so, the exit of certain leaders who call themselves the “intellectuals” would not have any significant effect on the outcome of the 2023 election in the state.

    “What members of the DUG who claimed to be intellectuals have done could be likened to a ‘fool’s errand’ because the APC will never win in Delta and Oborevwori would defeat his opponents before 12noon on election day”, he stated.

    Nonetheless, Egware called on Deltans to turn out enmasse for the January 24, 2023 PDP Presidential Campaign Rally in the state, to rally support for the party’s Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta in their bid to rescue, re-set and rebuild Nigeria from the ruins of the APC-led administration.

  • Gov Okowa expresses confidence of PDP’s Victory in Feb. 25 polls

    Gov Okowa expresses confidence of PDP’s Victory in Feb. 25 polls

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the PDP has expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the 2023 presidential election.

    Okowa stated this on Monday in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika after the governor inspected the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, venue of the PDP Presidential Mega  Rally on Monday.

    The governor said that his conviction was based on the general acceptance of the party across the country.

    He said  the PDP would provide Nigerians with all-inclusive and purposeful leadership that the country yearned  for.

    He said  the warm reception and support the  PDP had been reviewing across the country showed that Nigerians had  become optimistic about the need for positive change.

    According to him the party was determined to rescue the nation and deliver good governance to the people.

    The vice presidentual candidate said the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar knew the path to Nigeria’s recovery and would work with him and other citizens to recover, reset and rebuild the country.

    “What we are seeing today is not the Nigeria that we dreamt about with the high level of insecurity and the disunity amongst the people.

    “The fact that we cannot trust ourselves anymore because of the non-inlcusiveness in government, that obviously is not the Nigeria we thought about, ” Okowa said.

    He said that Nigeria’s economy was in great shambles, adding that it would  take the next PDP administration a lot of work, working also with Nigerians to get the country out of the woods.

    “The economy is definitely messed up but we believe that by God’s grace and with the programme that we have, we can take Nigerians out of where we are to the new process of rebuilding our great nation,” he said.

    The governor said the party also believed that for the nation to function properly, the issue of restructuring and devolution of powers to states and local government areas  must be taken seriously.

    “This is important because the more resources and the more powers and activities at the local and state levels, the more Nigerians can actually grow while competing with each other.

    “We also believe in a private sector led economy and in so doing we must provide the enabling environment and that enabling environment is not what it is today, ” he stated.

    According to him there are  lots of things that need to be done.

    “The reception across the country has been very good and we still have a lot of work to be done to let Nigerians know exactly what the situation is and the pathway to recovery.

    “We believe that Atiku Abubakar is a very experienced man in government and the private sector.

    “We also believe that with his level of experience and capacity working with myself and other Nigerians including the Organised Private Sector, the youths and the women folk, we can turn things around for the country.

    “If we all work truthfully together in a government that will be purposeful and all-inclusive we believe that we would be able to rescue and recover Nigeria from where it is today,” he said.

    On preparations for the rally, Okowa expressed satisfaction with the arrangements at the venue and expressed hope that the party would have a very successful rally on Tuesday Jan. 24.

  • Gov Okowa thanks PDP, Atiku for choosing him as VP candidate

    Gov Okowa thanks PDP, Atiku for choosing him as VP candidate

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has expressed gratitude to the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for selecting him as the party’s Vice-Presidential candidate.

    Okowa stated this while addressing PDP supporters during the party’s campaign on Friday, in Ika South and Ika North East Local Government Areas of the state.

    He said that the ticket was a demonstration of the confidence the party and Atiku had in his capabilities, describing it as a great responsibility.

    The governor thanked the people of the state for their support over the years, urging them to vote massively for all the party’s candidates in the forthcoming general elections as they had always done.

    According to Okowa, since the old Bendel State till now, nobody from Delta has emerged Vice-President.

    “So, we are thankful and asking for your support because I know that you will back me and my party to achieve the task of recovering Nigeria.

    “By the special grace of God, you have always supported me throughout my political career and I have seen Ika people come out in great numbers in the past, but I have never seen this kind of crowd in our campaigns here.

    “I want to use this opportunity to thank the leadership of PDP and our Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for finding me worthy to be the Vice-Presidential candidate of our great party.

    “I have challenged our people in Delta that as a state we must cross the one million votes mark and as people of Ika nation, I challenge us to deliver minimum of 180,000 votes for the party.

    “I urge you all to justify my selection by ensuring that all our votes in Ika nation will go to PDP and God will bless you as you continue to work hard for us to deliver in all the elections,” he said.

    On the governorship election in the state, Okowa, said that the choice of Sheriff Oborevwori as candidate was divine, urging Ika people and the entire state to support him.

    On his part, Oborevwori, commended the people of Ika for their massive support, and assured them that his administration’s “MORE Agenda” would develop all parts of the state equitably.

    Also, the State PDP Chairman, Chief Kingsley Esiso, said that Ika people were fortunate to have produced a governor and now vice-presidential candidate of the party.

    He  urged them to vote 100 per cent for the PDP to justify the party’s choice of Okowa as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate.

    The Director-General, PDP State’s Campaign Council, Chief Funkekeme Solomon, said that PDP built the country from 1999 to 2015.

    He assured the people that PDP would restore the glory of the country and reset it for greater heights.

  • Let Us Educate Omo-Agege On Governor Okowa’s Development Legacies – By Friday Okoh

    Let Us Educate Omo-Agege On Governor Okowa’s Development Legacies – By Friday Okoh

    By Hon Friday Okoh

    Politics has over the years evolved into an art which is crossed by science to give humanity an orderly scheme of engagement which is based on decency and rationality. This is the reason why political succession that once was violent in ancient times has become a civil activity that is carried out without much ado. Political power that was achieved through guns and bayonets in time of old is now achieved by words and gestures that hurt nobody. Unfortunately, in spite of the sanity that has been brought to politics in modern times, there are still irrational personalities who see politics as do or die and in their desperation throw caution to the wind, erode civility and breach peace and order. The world still remembers Donald Trump who was like a maniac that needed to be confined to a mental asylum because of the way he went about political engagement in the United States of America. Trump shocked America and the world as he almost turned politics into war.

    As Nigerians prepare for the next round of general elections in February and March, a local Donald Trump who is turning politics into war has emerged as the Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the person of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege who is deploying blackmail, lies and threats which have left many Deltans wondering about the validity of his morality and education. Omo-Agege has become a soul that is on a revenge mission. Omo-Agege’s lies make the ones told by Joseph Goebbels the Nazi propaganda chief look like child’s play. Omo-Agege has no regards for facts or statistics and he never thinks or crosschecks before talking. His says Delta State is owing 400 billion naira and that the State has received 4 trillion since 2015. Really? Where did he get these figures? And even if the figures are true, by mere assumption, is he blind to the monumental strides Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has achieved in Delta State thereby making him among Nigeria’s best three performing governors?

    The above is why Omo-Agege and his APC in Delta State need to be educated on Governor Okowa’s unrivalled achievements in Delta State. Unlike Omo-Agege, Governor Okowa is a prudent manager of resources, an astute politician and thinker in a first class mode. Governor Okowa came into governance with the well-articulated and highly acclaimed SMART agenda which many development experts agreed is one of the most development oriented manifesto ever drafted in Nigeria. As Governor Okowa comes near the end of his tenure as Governor of Delta State, there are many indices to show that he is leaving behind a stronger, better and more prosperous Delta State, despite the overwhelming bad governance that Omo-Agege’s APC unleashed on Nigerians. Governor Okowa’s SMART agenda took cognizance of global reality in framing a development template for Delta State. In doing so, it sought to enhance human capital development, ensure peace and security and accelerate infrastructural development. The agenda took serious cognizance of the role of youths, women and ICT and without overtly saying it, did so much to leapfrog Delta State into fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of 2015 even if it was belated. The reason for this is to enable Delta State join the race for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Let Omo-Agege read the following which is drawn from a recent publication on Governor Okowa’s tenure of legacies. Governor Okowa is leaving unforgettable and imperishable legacies in the development of Delta State. Every sector of development received attention. Let us begin with health. Governor Okowa has renovated and upgraded 250 healthcare centres across the State. He has renovated and upgraded 65 hospitals and ensured the full accreditation of seven health training institutions in the State. He also expanded the number of training institutions offering nursing degree in Delta State. The State under his watch became first in Nigeria in terms of immunization coverage as it exceeded the national recommended target of 80%. The construction of lecture halls at the School of Midwifery in Sapele and the 80-bed ward at the Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara are significant achievements in boosting healthcare delivery. The Delta State Contributory Healthcare Commission (DSCHC) which regulates the contributory health scheme has been described as the best in Nigeria. The Scheme has registered about 1.5 million people with 496 accredited healthcare facilities and 17 financial facilities for its operation. A highly methodical mind, Governor Okowa ensured the proper evaluation and classification of health facilities in Delta State into 485 primary healthcare centres, 269 private health facilities, 64 public secondary health facilities and three tertiary health facilities. The 821 health facilities efficiently submit their data on the web-based District Health Information System (DHIS) to boost healthcare services in the State. Governor Okowa’s administration also launched the Emergency Ambulance Service to provide the necessary support in the sector.

    Under Governor Okowa, 142 health professionals were recruited for DELSUTH, Oghara, 155 for the Specialist Hospital, Asaba and 255 health professionals across the State. Over forty pharmacists were also recruited to boost healthcare services. Governor Okowa also ensured that an insurance scheme was secured for 2,557 healthcare workers working in the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also built under Governor Okowa’s administration are the Advanced Diagnostic Centre at Owa-Alero, three Mother and Mother and Child Care Centres across the State and a Clinical building at DELSUTH, Oghara.
    Governor Okowa is acutely aware of Nigeria’s unemployment crisis and so he tackled unemployment headlong in Delta State through a robust job and wealth creation strategy. Using six ministries, Governor Okowa has created 12,000 entrepreneurs, 100,000 direct jobs and over 1,000,000 indirect jobs. The office of the Job Creation Officer has been very strategic in this regard. Some of the wealth creation schemes are: Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme (YAGEP), Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Programmes, Special Programmes for Persons with Disabilities, Graduate Employment Enhancement Programme, Rural Youths Skills Acquisition Programme, Women Empowerment Skills Acquisition Programme, Information and Communications Technology Youth Empowerment, Girls Entrepreneurship and Skills Training Programme, etc. About N1 billion has also been disbursed to 596 cooperative societies in the State to support businesses.

    Governor Okowa’s job and wealth creation progamme which is second to none in Nigeria has yielded dividends in increasing economic activities, youth engagements in productive ventures especially agro-preneurship, ensured prosperity and improved the State’s GDP and human development index. The setting up of the Delta State Investment Development Agency (DIDA) has in no small way boosted the State’s economy. The State is on a strong footing economically.

    Governor Okowa’s footprints in the education sector are indelible. In his bid to provide functional education, he set up the Ministry of Technical Education to promote technical and vocational education among youths in the State to turn them into entrepreneurs, wealth creators and employers of labour. In this sector, 19 technical colleges were approved to be built across the State and 9 have been completed to world-class standard. He created three more universities to increase the number of universities owned by Delta State to four which is the highest by any state government in Nigeria. He also ensured the payment of bursary to over 17, 000 students of Delta State across Nigeria. Delta State under Governor Okowa has always paid its counterpart funding for UBEC fund. So far, over 140,000 students’ furniture and 22, 440 for teachers have been distributed. A Teachers’ Professional Development Centre has also been established to train and retrain teachers. Governor Okowa also upgraded over 80% of public schools in Delta State and established additional 79 schools. This has sustained Delta State’s advantage in education.

    Governor Okowa’s giant strides in infrastructure are visible in his urban and rural development programmes and projects. Significant among these is the Asaba International Airport which he completed and upgraded to international standard with modern state of the art facilities. The airport which operates day and night can accommodate the biggest aircraft in the world. Over 883 roads covering 1, 900 kilometers have been completed. It must be put on record that only federal roads are bad in Delta State and that but for the Federal Government’s ban on State’s repair of federal roads, Governor Okowa would have rehabilitated the bad federal roads. Also constructed are 109179.66 meters of drainage channels. Six bridges have been completed with 15 under various stages of construction. A unique flyover has been completed at Koka Junction in Asaba waiting for commissioning.

    The ultra-modern and world-class Stephen Keshi Stadium completed by Governor Okowa is another great feat in sports and infrastructure development. Sports enthusiasts agree that it is the first of its kind in Africa. The stadium hosted this year’s National Sports Festival to great delight and acclaim. The construction of water scheme in riverine communities is another plus for Governor Okowa. Also recorded under his administration is the film village and Leisure Park at Ugbolu in Oshimili North LGA. There is also the “Smart Delta Food Arena” across Asaba, the State capital. He built a 720-capacity hostel at the NYSC orientation camp at Iselle-Uku. There are also Agro-industrial parks at Aboh and Ogwashi-Uku.
    Governor Okowa’s energy programme has kindled hope for the leapfrogging of every sector of private and public life in Delta State. Through the Independent Power Project (IPP) the Asaba Capital Territory and environs now enjoy 24-hour uninterrupted power supply. The effect of this has been absolutely salutary for business as well as industrial and agricultural activities. The attendant economic transformation is already yielding massive dividends. The focus on peace and security has also yielded maximum benefit as the State is one of the most peaceful in Nigeria.

    Governor Okowa also bequeathed to Delta State the most modern public building in Nigeria which is the State Secretariat complex named Professor Joseph Chike Edozien Secretariat in Asaba. In addition to this is the construction of the Traditional Rulers’ Council Secretariat also in Asaba.

    What has become incontrovertible in Delta State is the rapid integration of the rural and the urban. Governor Okowa’s well thought out development agenda has succeeded in transforming Delta State. What the State has experienced is a holistic all-round development and it has become a case study for real development indices. As part of his vision for holistic development, Governor Okowa ensured the granting of autonomy to local government councils. Knowing that their monthly allocation can’t take them far, he began giving the local government councils N400 million monthly to support their development aspirations.

    It should also be emphasized that despite having one of the largest workforce in Nigeria, Delta State under Governor Okowa has consistently paid workers salaries up to date. Those opposition elements who have been asking what Governor Okowa has done with Delta State money actually know that he has done well for Delta. To them, politics should be played dirty. But Governor Okowa is moving on and Delta State is the better for it. Governor Okowa will fully consolidate his achievements in Delta State in the next few months before handing over in May. History will certainly judge him kindly. Let Omo-Agege read this and get educated about Governor Okowa’s legacies.

  • 2023: Arthur Eze again snubs Peter Obi, affirms support for Atiku

    2023: Arthur Eze again snubs Peter Obi, affirms support for Atiku

    Chief Arthur Eze, Anambra born oil magnate, has reaffirmed support for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the PDP and his Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa running mate in the February  and March general elections.

    Eze said this during his solidarity visit to Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, the Director- General of PDP Presidential Campaign Committee in Anambra in his Ogidi country home, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra.

    He described Atiku as an honest, liberal, and a pan-Nigerian who aspired best for the country.

    The billionaire urged the people of the Southeast to continue the strategic relationship with the North by supporting Atiku in the presidential elections.

    According to him, the long-standing alliance between the North and the South East has always produced many political benefits to the region.

    “My appeal is for our people to seize the opportunity provided by Atiku Abubakar to renew the age-old alliance between the Southeast and the North; we have accomplished far more in this country’s politics through our alliance with the North.

    “This alliance saw Nnamdi Azikiwe become President of Nigeria in the First Republic and Alex Ekwueme served as Vice President, while Edwin Ume-ezeoke was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Second Republic,” he said.

    Eze said an Atiku presidency was the surest was to having a president of Southeast extraction.

    “Atiku has demonstrated his love and concern for us ndi-Igbo by continuously choosing an Igbo man to be his running mate since 2007 when he picked Sen. Ben Ndi Obi; Peter Obi in 2019 and now, Ifeanyi Okowa, an Igbo man from Delta State.

    “He was willing to scale back his ambition if the ticket was micro-zoned to the Southeast; only Atiku Abubakar agreed to such terms.

    “He will deliver on his promise of restructuring the country and ensuring that a Southerner succeeds him as president,” he said.

    In his response, Obiora commended Eze for his unwavering support for the Atiku project and his numerous advocacy efforts which he said, had great impacts in the Southeast.

    The PDP campaign Director-General said the party was committed to mobilising majority votes for Atiku-Okowa in Anambra.

  • Development of Delta and Deltans: Governor Okowa priorities should be commended – By Sylvester Imonina

    Development of Delta and Deltans: Governor Okowa priorities should be commended – By Sylvester Imonina

    By Sylvester Imonina

    In every society and organization, there are peculiar problems that they want solved at every point in time. While the priority of some is food on their table, others are accommodations and a decent environment.

    Every Government has its priorities, depending on what is of great concerns and interest to the people being served. I make bold to say that the priorities of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa led-government is in tandem with what the majority of Deltans want. Governor Okowa should be commended, not vilified. His developmental strides and programmes have impacted positively on the lives of the majority of Deltans.

    Though, there is a school of thought that believes that Governor Okowa ought to have constructed several flyovers in the State like his counterpart in River State, while some are of the view that roads constructed so far by the Government of Delta State are not enough, compared to what the State’s yearly earnings are!

    Well, those who are of the above views are not totally wrong but I dare say that Governor Okowa led-government understands the needs of Deltans more than any individual. The reason being that the State Executive Council has civil Commissioners and others, representing every Local Government Area in the State, and each and every one of them brings to the attention of the Council during their weekly Executive Council meetings, what is of paramount need to the people they represent.

    There are so many signature projects of the Okowa led-government that cannot be wished away by lies from armchair critics. There was a time that flooding was very common occurrence in Asaba. Whenever it rained, so many places were impassable, particularly the Okpanam Road axis. But water storm drainage projects which gulped billions of Naira made the perennial flooding a thing of the past. As of today, when it rains, in less than ten minutes, a large volume of water/flood is taken care of by the water storm drainage.

    Also, in the past, billions of Nairas were spent on rented offices for civil servants. What could have been channeled into meaningful developments in the State was used to service the pockets of some landlords in the State Capital. Today, there is an architectural masterpiece of the State Secretariat, housing almost all Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. Deltans can only imagine the billions of Nairas that have been saved by Governor Okowa through this well-thought-out legacy project.

    In Warri and Effurun, there are some places that are impassable during the raining season. A visit to Marine Quarter and Enerhen Junction in Warri, PTI Road in Effurun when it rained before now would convince you that those places were like “River Niger”. The replication of water storm drainage projects in these places has brought succour to our people living in those areas of the twin cities of Warri and Effurun.

    Ogheye Floating Market in Warri North Local Government Area is another star project of the present Government of Delta State. Ogheye Community, a community synonymous with a swampy environment now has a Floating Market where they sell their goods year in, and year out without being disturbed by water. Those from that community and surrounding communities see the Floating Market as a huge dividend of democracy and they are happier for it.

    As of today, the majority of internal roads in the Riverine Communities in the Ijaw and Itsekiri areas are tarred. This is one area that was seen as an impossibility before now. But the Okowa magic wand had put to rest the assertion that development could not be carried out in every part of the State; though these projects in the riverine areas are more capital intensive because of the peculiar nature of the area but Okowa led-government is soldiering on with the available resources at the government’s disposal.

    Govr. Ifeanyi Okowa whose belief in the educational development of Delta State is second to none, established three new Universities at a go. This is besides the already existing State University at Abraka, with a Campus of it at Oleh. The State Government is doing its best in making sure that there are no infrastructural deficits in these State Universities. There is no gainsaying the fact that the majority of young Deltans who used to be disabled from entering Higher Institutions in the County because of lack of admission space are now being absolved by these Universities. Though, some persons are of the view that the fees of these Universities are costly but without any air of equivocation, I dare to say that these Universities are amongst the cheapest States’ Universities in the Country, if not the cheapest. Doubting Thomas’s can make their findings.

    In the area of Human Capital Development, so many of our youth are now entrepreneurs and employers of labour. These are occasioned by the State Government’s entrepreneurship programmes like Yagepreneurs, Stepreneurs, Rural Youth Skills Acquisitions programme (RYSA), and other programmes of the government of Delta State. The Youth that embraced these programmes are happier with their decisions. It was recently reported that Delta State is now an exporter of skills to other States in the Country, and some parts of West Africa. Thanks to the Okowa led-government programmes!

    Our old mothers, and widows are not left out by the Okowa led-government. There is hardly any family in Delta State where these vulnerable groups are, that are not benefiting from the kind gesture of the Okowa led-government.

    There are other prioritized projects and programmes of the State Government that time would not allow one to talk about. These above-mentioned projects and programmes are in Trillions of Naira, and if channeled to only construction of flyovers as some people would want the government to, almost all the cities in the State will have flyovers. But the present Government of Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa is prioritizing the needs of the majority of Deltans based on Undiluted information at its disposal.

    It is said that human wants are unlimited, but individuals and Governments will always strive to meet up the greater number of what is needed and of great importance to the people. That, the Okowa led-government is doing. Deltans should not be deceived by what they hear about others in Nigeria. Some of the things they hear are hyped. Our dear State is far ahead of the majority of States in Nigeria, and the State Government is doing its best to balance all sectors of the State.

    ©️ Sylvester Imonina, writes from Uduere-Ughelli, Delta State.

  • We want you back – Gov Diri tells Wike, Ortom, other G5 Govs

    We want you back – Gov Diri tells Wike, Ortom, other G5 Govs

    Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri has said the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) wants the five aggrieved governors of the party back in its folds.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Diri said this when he and Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki visited Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa at Owa Alero in Delta State on Tuesday.

    Diri stressed the PDP wants Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Samuel Ortom of Benue, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State fully back in the party.

    The Bayelsa Governor said the party was not ruling out discussing with them to persuade them to return, support and work for the victory of the party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    “We want a united PDP and each time we meet, we focus and discuss the unity. We are not ruling out speaking to our brothers.

    “Even today, we have also discussed the possibility of speaking to them to return to our party. We are calling on our brother-governors to be part of their own party and work in unity with every other person.

    “We still want our brother governors back so we can visit them the way we visited our brother, Governor Okowa who by God’s grace will be the Vice-President of Nigeria,” Governor Diri said.

  • The worse thing Buhari’s govt has done – Gov Okowa

    The worse thing Buhari’s govt has done – Gov Okowa

    Vice-Presidential Candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa has said the worse thing the President Muhammadu Buhari government has done is divide Nigerians.

    Governor Okowa said this in a New Year message broadcast on national radio and television on Sunday, stressing that 2023 is a pivotal year in Nigeria as he congratulated citizens on the new year.

    Okowa said with the general elections a few weeks away, 2023 promised to be a great year for Nigerians as they prepare to elect new leaders for the country.

    He remarked that Nigerians had a turbulent 2022, grappling with unabating insecurity, rising hunger and poverty and an economy plagued with huge debts.

    As he congratulated Nigerians for entering the new year, he condoled with the family of Lagos female lawyer, Bolanle Raheem, killed by a police officer on Christmas day,  and called on the police authorities to ensure that justice was done on the matter.

    “First, let me say Happy New Year to all of us. Those of us that are alive to witness the birth of 2023 have every reason to thank God for His manifold mercies and sustaining grace.

    “It is my desire and prayer that our hopes, dreams, and aspirations as individuals, families, and Nigerians will come to fruition in this pivotal year,” he said, and explained that the new year was pivotal because Nigerians would, in a few weeks, go to the polls to choose new leaders.

    The governor said that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government had plunged Nigeria and its citizens into untold hardship.

    According to him, Nigeria needs to be rescued and rebuilt from the misrule of the APC-led administration.

    “In all the indices of development, Nigeria has never had it so bad; insecurity is pervasive, inflation is skyrocketing daily, public infrastructure is in shambles, and over 133 million Nigerians are poverty-stricken, according to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics.

    “Even worse is that this administration has done more to divide Nigerians than unite us. Our young professionals, angry and frustrated by the current climate of hopelessness, are leaving the country in droves. We just cannot continue like this.

    “Nigeria needs to be rescued and rebuilt from the misrule of the APC-led Administration. For that to happen, I urge all Nigerians to think rationally, objectively, and dispassionately in our choice of candidate.

    “Let us shun ethnicity, religion and nepotism. Instead, we should think of competence, experience and someone with a proven record of solutions. These are the qualities we need in the in-coming President,” he said.

    The Vice-Presidential Candidate affirmed that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar “is the leader Nigeria needs at this time because he exemplifies all needed qualities”.

    “He is detribalized, cosmopolitan, a unifying figure, a successful businessman and a pan-Nigerian.

    “As a former Vice-President, his management of the economy was stellar, and Nigeria stands to gain from his wealth of experience.

    “As his running mate, I also possess the requisite knowledge and experience to help him with the task of building the Nigeria of our dreams.

    “I appeal to us to vote wisely and let us get Nigeria back on track urgently.

    “Once again, I wish you all a very happy, productive, fruitful, and prosperous 2023,” he stated.

  • 2023: We will win next year election without G5 Govs – Okowa

    2023: We will win next year election without G5 Govs – Okowa

    Vice Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, said God would determine Nigeria’s next President and not the action of G-5 governors.

    Okowa stated this on Friday in Aboh when he led Delta State PDP campaign train to Ndokwa East and Ndokwa West Local Government Areas of the state.

    He, however, expressed confidence that the five governors would put the past behind them and work for the victory of PDP in the 2023 general elections.

    “God has said it that we the PDP will win this election. Many things may be happening now and people may be asking what about the G-5 governors?

    “These governors are our brothers; everybody is important. But what God has said will happen, nobody can change it. So even if some of them decide to support APC, some will still remain with us because there will be division among them.

    “The real truth is that I have strong political eyes and I have observed that no matter what they do, PDP will win the forthcoming election, by the grace of God.

    “It is only the power of God that can help us to win. So, no matter that the G-5 said that they would work with APC or any other party, we will win.

    “We all know that the candidate of APC is not good enough to be our president. Also we know that Labour Party is not going anywhere and we need to sweet talk the party supporters not to waste their votes.

    “Those supporters wishing to vote for Labour Party are only indirectly helping APC and trying to reduce the vote of PDP. So, please go and plead with Labour Party supporters to return to PDP and join hands with us to change Nigeria for the better.

    “We the PDP are ready to change the so-called previous change. Therefore, everyone should go and get his or her PVC,” he said.

    Okowa charged the people to embark on house-to-house, market-to-market campaign to convince the people to support PDP’s rescue mission.

    He said the ticket of Atiku and Okowa would bring about economic boom, united Nigeria where the economy would be private sector-driven, and restructuring that would make money available for states and local governments to embark on projects.

    “The APC has finished Nigeria. They promised change in 2015 but they have destroyed our dear country with insecurity, hunger and poverty.

    “To solve the insecurity challenge, we will amend the Constitution to allow State Police.

    “The Atiku-Okowa presidency will restructure Nigeria by allowing states to have more funds and more responsibilities to better the lots of Nigerians.

    “We will amend the Constitution to give more powers and resources to states and local governments and we will encourage a private sector-led economy.

    “Our economy was doing well prior to 2015, but the APC came and destroyed it again.

    “Nigerians are poorer and hungry because the economy is not good and when the economy is not working, there will be no jobs, because it is a good economy that brings industries.

    “We have gone round a lot of states in the country and I can assure you that Nigerians have resolved to sack APC,” he stated.

    On the governorship election in the state, Okowa said Chief Sheriff Oborevwori and Sir Monday Onyeme had the capacity to build on the foundation laid by his administration, hence the need to vote for them.

    He advised the electorate in the state to be circumspect in deciding the candidate and political party to vote for,  saying that those involved in mace rustling would not rule the state.

    The Governorship Candidate of the party, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, said he would complete the ongoing construction of Beneku Bridge and Phase 3 and 4 of Ashaka road if the Okowa administration could not.

    He described his running mate, Chief Monday Onyeme, as a reliable, competent and very articulate professional who would bring his many years of experience to bear on the administration.

    Oborevwori took a swipe at APC Deputy Governorship Candidate, Friday Osanebi, who served under him as Deputy Speaker, as an unproductive and unresourceful lawmaker who contributed nothing to lawmaking in his 12 years in the House of Assembly.

    “My dear people of Ndokwa East, your son Friday Osanebi who is the Deputy Governorship candidate of the APC is a failed legislator.

    “The capacity of a legislator is known during debates in the House and for almost two years he worked with me as my Deputy Speaker, he never contributed to debates and motions in the House.

    “You can check the records of the House in the past 11 and half years, Osanebi presented no bill, no motion and no contribution to debates, all he does is to press his phone while sitting is going on,” he stated.

    The State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Kingsley Esiso, ⁶who presented flags to candidates said the party had cure to all challenges confronting the nation.

    “I am very happy because APC days are numbered and PDP is coming on a rescue mission to reset Nigeria

    “All over Delta state, our people are happy with the Atiku-Okowa ticket because since the creation of Nigeria no Deltan has ever come close to Aso Rock

    “But by the special grace of God and with your support, our dear Governor will become the next Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,”

    Director-General of the State Campaign Council, Chief Funkekeme thanked the people for their assurances and urged them to translate their support into massive votes for the PDP on election day.

    Some leaders and stakeholders of Ndokwa nation including Chief Godwill Obielum, Chief George Ugboma, Admiral Mike Onah said the people of Ndokwa nation have resolved to give PDP hundred percent votes from Presidency to the House of Assembly.

    At Ndokwa East, hundreds of former members APC led by Henry Omem and Okwechie Ambrose defected to the PDP. They said they were original members of the PDP but were deceived with fake promises to join the APC.

    “Today we have seen light, we had been deceived with fake promises and they have turned the country upside down. Today, we have come to say no more APC in Ndokwa East,”

  • Governor Okowa re-awards Ayakoromo bridge contract

    Governor Okowa re-awards Ayakoromo bridge contract

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Tuesday announced that his administration had re-awarded the Ayakoromo Bridge contract to Setraco Nigeria Limited.

    Governor Okowa, who is also the Vice Presidential Candidate of PDP, assured that the project would be completed within record time.

    He disclosed this at the party’s campaign at Burutu, headquarters of Burutu Local Government Area of the state.

    It will be recalled that the state government had, weeks ago, revoked the bridge contract due to alleged poor performance by the former contractor.

    The governor said that Setraco would mobilise to site  next week and expressed gratitude to the people of the area for their consistent support to the PDP over the years.

    “My dear people of Burutu Local Government Area, I thank you for all your support for our party candidates over the years.

    “We have also reciprocated your support by constructing concrete pavement of all internal roads in Burutu town; another 20.29-kilometre Obotobo 1– Obotobo 11– Sokebolou–Yokri Road in Ogulagha Kingdom.

    “We constructed modern market and built schools in Burutu town, Ogulagha and other communities but unfortunately there is one project that you people are not happy about which is the Ayakoromo bridge.

    “The contractor has not been doing well and we have recently terminated the contract and re-awarded it to Setraco Nigeria Ltd.

    “Next week, we will mobilise them to start and they will finish it because it is a promise I made to you people and I must fulfil it,” he said.

    Okowa urged the people to remain committed to the Atiku-Okowa ticket, and assured them that PDP would win the presidency and rescue Nigerians from the hardship caused by the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led administration.

    “Our party has recognised one of your own, my humble self as Vice-Presidential candidate and by the grace of God the Atiku-Okowa ticket will win the election in 2023.

    “I appeal to you all to give us your support to enable us turn out more votes for our party. We have done well campaigning in 15 states so far and we are very sure of victory for the party,” he assured.

    Also, the Deputy Governor of the state, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, while addressing the people, said that the impressive turn-out of supporters was an indication that Burutu had over time, been a PDP local government area.

    He said the Okowa’s administration had done quite a lot for Burutu town in terms of road construction and urged the people to vote all PDP candidates in the general elections.

    On his part, the Governorship Candidate of the party, Mr Sheriff Oborevwori, commended the Ijaw people for adopting candidates of the PDP for the general elections.

    He said that the Okowa-led administration had provided a lot of infrastructure for Burutu LGA, with over 30-kilometre roads constructed and over 44 schools renovated and constructed.

    Oborevwori, who was flanked by his running mate, Mr Monday Onyeme, assured that he would deploy his MORE Agenda for the advancement of the state.

    The State Chairman of the party, Mr Kingsley Esiso, said the people of Delta were happy that the state would for the first time, produce a Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    He urged them to work hard towards realisation of the Atiku-Okowa presidency.

    Also, the Director-General of the State Campaign Council, Mr Funkekeme Solomon, lauded the governor for terminating the Ayakoromo Bridge project and re-awarding it to a more competent contractor.

    Solomon also thanked the governor for transferring the State School of Marine Technology from Ministry of Transport to Higher Education for effective management.

    He said that the riverine communities in the state believed that an Atiku-Okowa Presidency would be very beneficial to them, hence they have decided to throw their weight behind them.

    Leaders of the party, who spoke at the rally, included Peter Biakpara; former Governorship aspirant, Braduce Angozi; among others.