TheNewsGuru

Tag: okowa

  • Okowa never regretted being on joint ticket with Atiku – Aide

    Okowa never regretted being on joint ticket with Atiku – Aide

    Former Delta Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa never said that he regretted being a Vice Presidential candidate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections.

    The Executive Assistant to Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr Olisa Ifeajika made the clarification at a press conference in Asaba on Wednesday .

    Ifeajika, who was reacting to a report credited to Gov. Okowa following an interview with the Arise Television on Tuesday, said the reaction was to put the records straight.

    He said that it was wrong for whoever that put out that report to misrepresent facts, adding that those who took time out to listen to the interview would testify that Okowa never said so.

    Ifeajika, who was a Chief Press Secretary to Okowa said, ”the immediate past Gov. Okowa never said he regretted being on that ticket with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. He also did not say that he regretted being the Vice Presidential candidate of the PDP.

    “When Okowa was asked the question of what happened to the PDP, particularly in Delta, as a Vice Presidential candidate where it was expected that he would win;

    “What he (Okowa) said was that it was discovered that the southern Nigerians appeared to have resolved on having a president from the Southern extraction.

    “And that was what happened, during our campaigns, we realised that that was what the people wanted and they got it. It was not as if PDP had bad candidates.

    “That was why Sen. Bola Tinubu won the election and the other person from the South that did well in the Presidential election was Mr Peter Obi. It was a justification of that resolve of the people of the south to have a president from the south,” he said.

    Ifeajika said that the PDP not winning much votes then from the south was due to a whirlwind which was then known as “Obident Movement” through the Labour Party as the vehicle that came and took everybody by  surprise.

    He said the people got what they wanted, adding that the lessons leant from that movement was the need to do some needs assessment on what the people wanted.

    Ifeajika noted that in spite of the discovery, that the people of the South had resolved to vote for a southern president, that Okowa being a party man and having being duly nominated as the vice presidential candidate of the PDP never backed out of the  party.

    He said though while the people of south were thinking of zoning and power shift, the PDP national opened the platform for all candidates to contest which saw Atiku and Okowa emerging as the party flag bearers.

    “Okowa met all the profile as listed by Atiku and was duly nominated to run as vice presidential candidate in that election. As a party man, he could not have left the party, he had to work for his party.

    ”Like Okowa said in the interview, that during the campaign, it was obvious that the people in the south have resolved in their minds that they wanted a president from the south.

    “So, as much as we try in our campaign to convince them it was obvious that they wanted president from the south,” Ifeajika said.

    Ifeajika said that what was credited to Okowa in the media was most uncharitable and not a representation of what he said during the interview.

    “If whoever puts it out there was doing an interpretative reporting, that was a wrong interpretation of what Okowa said.

    On Okowa’s defection to the APC, Ifeajika said that it has nothing to do with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invitations and questioning.

    He said that Okowa has answered to the petitions and since then the commission has not invited him again because facts presented were not contradictory.

    He said,  PDP if likened to human being is seriously hemorrhaging. Delta is a case of one family remaining intact.

    “Everybody came together to look at the issues and it was agreed unanimously by all stakeholders that the vehicle called PDP at the National was faulting dangerously.

    ”What happened on Monday, April 28 is not done anywhere in this country and beyond where the entire people in a political party making a move as a group.”

    Ifeajika said that the relationship between the former Governors, Chief James Ibori and Okowa remained cordial.

  • Omo-Agege, Nwoko’s failure to stop Oborevwori, Okowa’s defection to APC – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    Omo-Agege, Nwoko’s failure to stop Oborevwori, Okowa’s defection to APC – By Ehichioya Ezomon

    The handwriting was boldly displayed on the wall many months before Wednesday, April 23, 2025, when Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor in office and vice presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and their entire political structure dumped the PDP for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The defectors include Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme; House of Assembly Speaker Emomotimi Guwor; federal and state lawmakers; commissioners; local government chairmen and councilors; party officers at the state, local government and ward levels; and chieftains across the state.

    The mass defection, described by the watching public as a “political tsunami,” not only ended weeks of speculations about Oborevwori’s intention to ditch the platform he rode on to office, but also marked a significant shift in Delta’s politics and far-reaching implications for PDP’s structure and influence in the South-South zone.

    To the undiscerning, the process leading to the decampment appears to have started about February 4, 2025, when the APC governorship candidate in 2023 in Delta, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, opposed admitting Oborevwori and Okowa into the APC.

    At an APC stakeholders’ meeting in Agbor, Ika South and Ute-Okpu in Ika North East Local Government Areas of Delta on February 4, Omo-Agege noted that, while the party was open to welcoming Senator Ned Nwoko (PDP, Delta North), House of Representatives and House of Assembly members and other PDP leaders, it’d “no interest in Oborevwori and Okowa joining its ranks.” The Nation first reported on the issue on February 4.

    Omo-Agege’s rejection of Oborevwori and Okowa stemmed from “Oborevwori’s government’s alleged attempts to downplay APC’s strength despite the party’s growing influence in Delta,” hence he told the APC stakeholders that, “We have built this party from scratch, and we will not allow people with questionable records to destroy what we have worked hard for.”

    Omo-Agege recalled: “After the 2023 elections, the PDP spread false propaganda, claiming that APC no longer exists in Delta. Yet, this is a state where APC won two senatorial seats and two House of Reps seats. Today, the only PDP senator (Nwoko) is set to join APC, and you are still saying we are not on the ground? Are we not the majority party?

    “In Delta Central where Governor Oborevwori and I come from, APC won the senatorial seat. Out of three House of Reps’ seats, APC won two, while the remaining one was won by the Labour Party (LP). PDP won none. Out of nine House of Assembly seats, APC secured five, while PDP got four. So, which party is truly more popular?”

    Omo-Agege added: “Soon, we will have three senators, and I am aware that the three PDP House of Reps members are joining APC. Some House of Assembly members will also join us. So, they are all coming. We welcome everyone of them. The only two people, who are not welcomed, are Governor Sheriff and Okowa. They should remain in PDP and build their party.”

    Despite his (and later Nwoko’s) spirited efforts, Omo-Agege failed to stop Oborevwori and Okowa’s defection to the APC – which process was reportedly partly facilitated by the pioneer “political godfather” in Delta politics since democracy returned in Nigeria in 1999, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, who’s created a political dynasty that’s produced Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (2007-2015), Governor Okowa (2015-2023), and Governor Oborevwori (2023-till date) – all on the PDP platform.

    Although Ibori and Okowa had issues over the governorship succession for 2023, with Okowa’s candidate, Oborevwori, a former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, prevailing over Ibori’s choice, Mr David Edevbie, a commissioner of finance in Ibori’s administration (1999-2007); the differences didn’t disrupt the political calculations on ground, which’s that Ibori, a reported close ally and confidant of President Bola Tinubu, should bring Oborevwori and Okowa into the APC fold for the 2027 election.

    That move is to expand the APC political base in the South-South beyond Cross River and Edo states to Delta, Akwa Ibom and possibly Rivers – which’s almost “in the bag” courtesy of former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Chief Nyesom Wike – and thus the expansion of the playing field for the re-election of Tinubu in 2027.

    Delta having led the way, further speculations indicate that four or five other governors and their structures will move into the APC ahead of 2027, as a coalition of opposition politicians, headed by former Vice President and presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, is working to upstage Tinubu at the poll.

    Indeed, hours after the PDP structure in Delta defected to the APC, an elated and upbeat National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, restated his prediction that more governors would join the party. The former Kano State governor spoke as he received newly-decamped PDP members from Kano at his residence in Abuja on April 24.

    Declaring that the 2027 election “is a done deal” for the APC, Ganduje told reporters: “In APC, we believe in our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we believe in his economic reforms, we believe in his Renewed Hope Agenda and part of the political renewed hope agenda is trying to canvass for more followership into the party.

    “We started by democratically electing governors, especially in Edo State (Governor Monday Okpebholo), who was in PDP (but decamped to APC and was elected Senator), we contested (the governorship) and we succeeded in winning the election; the state is now in APC.

    “Now, there is another channel that has been opened through advocacy, through dialogue, through convincing some highly and even elected governors to come into the party. And you can see what has happened.

    “The Governor of Delta State (Oborevwori), including his cabinet, even including the former vice presidential candidate (of the PDP, Okowa), including all the members of the state assembly and National Assembly, and the timber and caliber of PDP, are now in APC.

    “So, you can see that we are expanding. I don’t want to reveal our secret but what I’m telling you is that for APC, 2027 is a done deal. More governors are coming into APC, I assure you; and places where we have elections, APC, insha’Allah, will win those elections.”

    Pioneer chapter chairman of the PDP in Delta State, ex-Senator James Manager (PDP, Delta South), has described Oborevwori and Okowa’s defection to APC “as the outcome of extensive internal consultations within the party.”

    “All PDP members in the state, including the governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC. We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” a reference to the PDP that’s fractured prior to the 2023 general election.

    After an enlarged PDP stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Asaba on April 23, Manager told journalists that the decision to decamp to the APC followed months of deliberations among key party figures, adding, “We’ve had intense discussions – some of them contentious – but we eventually reached a near-unanimous consensus driven by the prevailing mood in the party. What you are witnessing today is the culmination of those deliberations.”

    Without revealing the behind-the-scenes scheming, Manager said: “You cannot remain in a boat that is clearly capsizing. As a liberal-minded person, I’ve tried to view the situation objectively, and the current realities have made it clear – it’s time to chart a new course.

    “As you can see from the mammoth crowd around you, this is not a solo decision. It reflects a shared vision among us. It is a collective one, made for many reasons – reasons which I may not delve into at this moment.”
    Also significant is Okowa’s viral video message, reportedly addressed to his supporters in his dialect, with the assurance that he would choose the best (political) path going into 2027. “Be assured that we will not go in the wrong direction. We will take the best direction, the best path for our people,” Okowa said in the video.

    With the mass defection of PDP members in Delta to the APC, what does the future hold for Omo-Agege, who, though having a face-off with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), over control of Delta’s APC, had rightly placed himself as the front runner for Governor in 2027?
    The scramble for the APC ticket may now be a straight fight between Oborevwori on the one hand, and Omo-Agege and Keyamo on the other hand. With a united front of former PDP memberers behind him, the APC ticket is as good as Oborevwori’s for his second term bid!

    Can Omo-Agege and Keyamo bury the hatchet, and unite to produce a single aspirant from the “original” APC camp to challenge Oborevwori for the ticket? For now, that prospect is better imagined, even as Omo-Agege’s called for unity in the face of a possible hostile takeover of the Delta APC structure by the new entrants, with Oborevwori becoming automatic leader of the party in Delta State – reaping where he didn’t sow!

    At the APC stakeholders’ meeting on February 4, Omo-Agege implored members “to be united, and stay strong.” Thanking them “for their dedication and hard work,” he reassured the members that “all internal issues within Delta APC will be resolved ahead of 2027,” stressing that PDP’s national crisis could render it irrelevant by the next election cycle – a prediction that’s ominously unfolding by the day.

    “We should stop focusing on our internal issues and instead take advantage of PDP’s bigger problems. Are we even sure PDP will still exist in 2027? Their crisis at the national level is worsening. Our focus should be on winning the next elections and re-electing President Bola Tinubu,” Omo-Agege stated, adding that the successes of Tinubu’s policies “have made APC the most attractive party in Delta State, drawing interest from several political figures.”

    It looks a long road – and a fait accompli – for Omo-Agege and the founding or original APC members, several of whose chieftains led the agitation for Oborevwori and Okowa to decamp to the APC, which the duo honoured in a grand style on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

  • I’m vindicated by Oborevwori, Okowa, others defection – Shaibu

    I’m vindicated by Oborevwori, Okowa, others defection – Shaibu

    Former Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu, says the defections into the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) was a vindication of his stands.

    He said that of the Delta Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and all his appointees and immediate past governor Ifeanyi Okowa was an eye opener to many that have not seen it coming.

    Shaibu, who disclosed this on Friday in Abuja, said that he foresaw and predicted this scenario while still in the PDP few years back, but was misunderstood.

    “I remember when I was leaving the PDP some of you asked me why I was leaving, and I said, I do not see a future of PDP in Nigeria because of the way the players are handling the party.

    “The players were not democratic. The leadership was not democratic, and I shouted, and then I was asked to keep quiet.

    “This is because the players that I see in charge of the party and the way I see things happening does not show what PDP actually stands for.

    “I predicted that in less than one year, as at that time, if they don’t change, the PDP will be history in Nigeria, then I was still a member of the party. So, it’s not like I was not a PDP member.’’

    The former deputy governor and one time house of representatives member said that what was happening to the PDP was not about the party, but the players.

    According to him, when you don’t feel a sense of belonging, with certain cabal feeling they are in charge and the owners of the party, then that should  be seen as a red flag.

    “Nobody is the owner of any party. All the parties in Nigeria, nobody can claim ownership, because at a particular given time, leadership emerges and those leadership cannot be forever. It’s always temporary in all parties.

    ‘’So that’s why I predicted then. I also said then that even the governors I see, I don’t see most of them remaining in the party, because some of them, I’m close to them, and I hear, and I see, and I feel what they feel.

    “Some of the feelings I have, they also share the same feeling. I see more governors leaving. No progressive governor can remain in PDP.

    “I salute the courage of the Delta governor, and I say the wisest decision he has taken in his political career is what he did on Wednesday.

  • Okowa’s defection to APC isn’t shocking – Dele Momodu

    Okowa’s defection to APC isn’t shocking – Dele Momodu

    The publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu on Wednesday has reacted to the recent defection of former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa from PDP to the ruling party APC.

    Momodu accused President Tinubu on Channels Television’s Politics Today of using strong arm tactics in pressuring the opposition to join APC.

    He said: “I’m not surprised; Okowa’s defection isn’t shocking given the recent harassment he faced.”

    “I would be surprised if President Bola Tinubu genuinely believes people are joining the APC out of love or administration, this is survival now; prison as martyr days are over.

    “We once admired the likes of Nelson Mandela, MKO Abiola, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo for enduring detention in the name of principle. These days, nobody wants to go to detention.

    “Everybody wants to stay at home and talk about the money they’ve made from politics; name one politician who has not been harassed by either the EFCC or the ICPC at some point.”

     

  • Defection: I commend Okowa, Oborevwori for this heart-warming decision – Wike

    Defection: I commend Okowa, Oborevwori for this heart-warming decision – Wike

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has lauded the immediate past governor of Delta, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, for expressing his support for President Bola Tinubu.

    Wike gave the commendation in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Mr Lere Olayinka in Abuja on Wednesday.

    Recall Okowa, the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) Vice Presidential candidate in the 2023 election on Wednesday, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Okowa decamped alongside Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and other PDP stalwarts in the state, collapsing the entire PDP structures in the state to the APC.

    Wike described the development as another endorsement of the president’s good governance and commitment to the development of the country.

    He called on other Nigerians, who were still sitting on the fence to throw in their support for Tinubu.

    According to him, Okowa and Oborevwori open endorsement of Tinubu is a vindication of the position I took in 2023, which was based on the interest of a united Nigeria.

    “I commend Okowa and Gov. Oborevwori for this heart-warming decision, which must have been informed by good governance and commitment of President Bola Tinubu to the oneness and development of Nigeria.

    “That is what I have always told people to come out and say, not to be running up and down when they have problems.

    “They have come out at the right time to show support for Mr President so that the people of Niger Delta can benefit more from the government, and I commend them for it.

    “I am particularly happy that what I saw before the 2023 presidential election, others are now seeing and are joining the “Renewed Hope train,” the minister said.

  • Oborevwori, Okowa, Guwor attend late Pa Augoye funeral +Photos

    Oborevwori, Okowa, Guwor attend late Pa Augoye funeral +Photos

    Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and numerous other dignitaries attended the funeral service for late Pa William Orwin Augoye.

    Pa Augoye, who is father of the Member representing Okpe State Constituency, Hon. James Augoye, passed on November 13, 2024. He was aged 97.

    In his remarks at the ceremony, held at Ugbokodo-Okpe Secondary School, Ugbokodo-Okpe, in Okpe Local Government Area of the state, Governor Oborevwori eulogised the late Pa Augoye as a disciplined father and teacher who contributed immensely to societal growth throughout his life and times.

    He lauded the deceased patriarch of the Augoye family for instilling sound discipline and moral virtues in his children.

    He said, “Pa William Orwin Augoye passed through all the phases of life, but what is more important is the life that he has lived and when you want to assess people, you assess them by the family.

    “If you look at James Augoye, the kind of life he is living, you will know that the man has raised good children. So, you will use Augoye to also judge all the other members of the family.

    “As a teacher, he was able to teach the children the good things about life.

    “In all our struggles today, we want to acquire wealth, we want to go for positions, we want to hold positions, we want to live a luxury life.

    “But what is more important is our covenant with God, because, at the end, where will you go? So, our take home today is to emulate good things. The good aspect of Pa Augoye is that he disciplined his children to live a very good life and I believe these children today will also continue to emulate their father.”

    Governor Oborevwori said the message for the day was for the living and not the dead, adding, “your coming here today is not just for the ceremony. You have come here to listen to the message; the message is not for the dead but for those of us that are still alive.

    “The person that has passed on is there already. One day, we will still be in this casket. What will be said about you? What will you be remembered for? What are the things you have achieved? What are the things we will say about you?

    “On behalf of the government of Delta State, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the Augoye family. We will remember Papa Augoye with great respect and we will continue to cherish his contributions to society.

    “May his soul rest in peace and may the family find strength and solace in this time of mourning.”

    “Let us continue to live life such that when we go, we will be remembered for the good things we did while on Earth because this we will not live her3le forever. Death is inevitable.

    “I believe that when we do the right things while on Earth, we will be remembered for good things. But what is more important, I must tell you here, is your covenant with God.

    “To be on the same page with God. To continue to do the right thing and I know that when you continue to do the right thing, God will continue to bless you.”

    In a sermon titled, “Benefits of death”, Pastor Mike Irihobose, said the best place to prepare for death was the Earth and not in the grave.

    Pastor Irihobose said the death of a believer was a transition to eternal glory, hence the need for those yet to accept Christ to do so before death comes.

    He said Pa William Augoye lived a fulfilled life and also died in Christ and urged his children and family to hold on to Christ.

    The funeral ceremony was attended by the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Solomon Arenyeka; the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo; the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, other members of the State House of Assembly and other top government functionaries.

  • EFCC: Delta non-indigenes absolves Okowa of wrongdoings

    EFCC: Delta non-indigenes absolves Okowa of wrongdoings

    Non-indigenes community in Delta State, Friday, accused persons they described as detractors of former Governor of the state, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, of deliberate mischief and malice, saying they were enemies of Delta.

    They said that the persons behind the petitions and media trial of the former governor took that course because they were afraid of Okowa’s towering personality in the political space in the state and country.

    The group, which comprised Arewa, Yoruba, Igbo, Middle belt, Igala, South-South among others, stated this when they visited Okowa at his residence in Asaba, over his recent invitation by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation of misappropriation of state’s funds.

    Speaking through the leader of the Arewa community in the state, Alhaji Auwalu Tukur, the non-indigenes said that Okowa stood out as the only governor in the state whose developmental strides were outstanding, adding that his love for the state and the people dated back to periods before governorship.

    According to Auwalu, when Okowa was commissioner and later Secretary to the State Government, he championed adult education for non-indigenes, and ensured that members of the community were part of government, with no fewer than five Special Assistants to the Governor then.

    “When you went to the Senate, we can recall with relish the powerful empowerments you gave to us; you empowered many of us, and some of our children got Federal Government jobs.

    “By God’s grace, you became Governor of Delta State in 2015, and you did very well because everybody was calling you “Road Master” and also had hospitals everywhere.

    “That was when you made the first Hausa man the Chairman of Delta State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, and many of us you are seeing here were SAs and SSAs during your tenure.

    “We have come to tell you that we are with you through our daily prayers and we will continue to be with you till the end of time because you have carried us along and you have shown us the way and empowered us and we will continue to be grateful.

    “Those trying to give you a bad name will not succeed by the grace of God, and on this note, we pass a vote of confidence on you,” he said.

    Responding, Okowa thanked the non-indigenes for their support over the years, assuring that he would continue to champion their course in any way he could.

    According to him, many of you were born here, and many of you have lived here and raised your families and businesses here.

    “This is why in any position i have occupied in government i have always advocated that you should be recognised because you have lived here, your home is here, your business and your children are here, so there is no reason why you should not be treated as indigenes of Delta State.

    “Recognition in this context shouldn’t just be about appointments but for the fact that you have lived here with your families for a long time you should be seen as a Deltans and I thank God that you are gradually being recognised.

    “Most of you have party positions, and we have Igbo and Arewa Councillors, and I am happy that you are beginning to have that recognition.

    “I urge you to continue to see Delta State as your home because when you do that, we will continue to have peace and development,” he said.

    On EFCC invitation, the former governor said “the most important thing is that I am not afraid of the accusations. Let the investigation go on because the amount of N1.3 trillion they are mentioning is frightening.

    “You all know how Asaba and Okpanam were in 2015 and you know how it is now. We constructed many roads and built storm water drainages to prevent flooding.

    “You know many leaders would prefer to build infrastructure that will be seen like roads, flyovers, and many others, but if you build that and there is no road to pass due to flooding, it’s useless.

    “You know it was always a nightmare when it rained then in Asaba and Okpanam, but it took visionary leadership to carry out such storm water drains because you are burying money on the ground.

    “We started similar storm drainages in Warri and I am glad that the current governor is continuing with it, and it takes boldness to do those things.”

    He stated that his administration left several legacy projects across the state and commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for continuing and ensuring the completion of many of them.

    “Professor Chike Edozien State Secretariat we built won ‘he most iconic public building in Nigeria’ and it was designed by a Deltan, Arch Kester Ifeadi.

    “Workers now work there from morning till night, and you all can also recall the state of the Mariam Babangida Road, and the three universities we established now have no fewer than 33,000 students on admission.

    “We worked for the people, and I am glad that the people saw what we did even in riverside communities in the state.

    “Through DESOPADEC, we rebuilt Oboghoro and Utonlila communities in Warri North, and we were constructing the bridge to Orere and other communities in Ewu Kingdom, over 500 meters length.

    “During my tenure, we built five more bridges on the Trans-Warri-Ode-Itsekiri roads and bridges and I am glad that Governor Oborevwori is about completing the project to enable our Itsekiri brothers drive straight to Ode-Itsekiri.” Okowa added.

  • EFCC’s invitation stimulates Okowa’s political consciousness

    EFCC’s invitation stimulates Okowa’s political consciousness

    The immediate past governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday, said the recent invitation to him by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rather than weaken him, stimulated his political consciousness.

    He disclosed this while playing host to kinsmen and members of Owa-Alero Development Union, who paid him a solidarity visit at his residence in Asaba.

    The former governor thanked his people for the visit and
    said that there was no cause for alarm about the EFCC invitation by the EFCC.

    He said that he had been strengthened by the number of persons and groups that had been visiting to identify with him, and assured that truth would prevail.

    “The frivolous allegation against me has, indeed, reawakened my political consciousness as different groups have been visiting me since l returned from honouring EFCC’s invitation.

    “It is of God, not me, because God knows why He allowed what happened to happen. What the enemy thought was for evil, God has turned it around.

    “When l look retrospectively at the situation of Delta State in 2015 when l assumed office as Governor and compare it to the situation in 2023 when l handed over, l give God the glory.

    “We may not have done the same thing everywhere, but l know that there was nowhere in the state that we didn’t touch.

    “If l look at how Asaba and Okpanam were in 2015 and how they now look, l will give God the glory. With what we have done with the storm water drainage in Asaba, today, Asaba is now like a special place.

    “Apart from Asaba, we did a lot in many communities in the riverine areas and other parts of the state,” he said.

    Okowa recalled that when he assumed office as governor, “we were number four in oil production and by the end of 2018, we climbed to number one, and we are still number one till today, because of the peace process we adopted.

    “This development didn’t just happen like that; it was because of the fact that the people saw hope in what we were doing.

    “So, people will talk, but in our conscience, we know we have done well, and we put out the communication about the audited accounts of the state government every year. The summary of the record is there in the public domain

    “Nobody has been able to contradict the statement we put out because it is simple and it is from the audited accounts. It is just foolishness that people will go and peddle rumour.

    “However, we anticipated this because it is politics. The EFCC people could not see any fictitious contract when they came for investigation. We were very meticulous because we came to work for our Deltans.”

    While lauding the Owa-Alero people for being able to organise themselves in a peaceful manner, Okowa appealed to them to continue to work together to sustain the peace and unity in the community in particular and the state at large.

    Earlier, the leader of Owa-Alero Development Union, Mr Chris Eboh, had told the former governor that they were in his house for a solidarity visit over his ill-conceived invitation by the EFCC, assuring him that they were solidly behind him.

    “We are quite convinced that you have done nothing wrong in the course of your stewardship as the governor of the state that warrants your invitation by the EFCC.

    “We are not perturbed at all about the EFCC’s invitation which you honourably honoured because we know that you performed excellently while serving as governor of the state,” he said.

  • Opposition afraid of Okowa’s towering personality – Delta youths

    Opposition afraid of Okowa’s towering personality – Delta youths

    The Delta State Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum said current persecution of former Governor of the state, Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, was driven by the fear of opposition and mischief makers of his rising profile.

    Speaking during a solidarity visit to the former governor at his Asaba residence on Thursday, the group’s spokesman, Comrade Ovie Umuakpo, said that recourse to petitions and media trial against Okowa was because of the politics of 2027.

    Umuakpo commended the former governor for his achievements during his tenure and pledged that the group would remain loyal and committed to his leadership.

    He said: “Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders have come here in solidarity with you because of what we recently read in the news that was widely circulated by the opposition.

    “We want to state categorically that the opposition are afraid of your towering personality across the nation, and they are only afraid of 2027.

    “They are afraid that if they leave Okowa, the Chief Strategist, untamed, they will have problems in 2027 because of the way and manner they have mismanaged Nigeria’s economy.

    “They are also worried about how they have bastardised their relationship with the North, and they are doing everything to harvest as many votes as possible by bringing down opposition figures to boost their base in the south against 2027.

    “You are a big tree that has produced other trees that provide shield to many persons; so, cutting down such a tree will be a very difficult task in Nigeria’s politics of today.

    “We are here to tell you that we heard what happened and are here to reassure you that we remain with you through thick and thin.

    “We know that what is happening is an attempt to witch-hunt you, to weaken our strength ahead of 2027, but unfortunately for them, it has bolstered our chances and we will win again in 2027, with you leading the charge. As a group, we remain committed and loyal to you because you did well in office.”

    The group recalled Okowa’s outstanding efforts at changing the neglected landscape of coastal communities in the state, describing it as unparalleled.

    According to Umuakpo, with what you did in the riverside areas, it will be very difficult for any governor not to consolidate on some of these gains because you have laid a very strong foundation for Delta State.

    “You are our leader not only in Delta but within the South-South region, and we are making every effort to make sure that you become a national leader in this country.

    “You are a moving train, and whether they like it or not, they can’t stop you, and any attempt to stop you, God will stop them.

    “All you did while in office was in the best interest of the state. You built three new universities to accommodate our youths seeking admission.

    “You built a world-class state Secretariat that now accommodates all civil servants. You constructed roads in the state through judicious use of resources.

    “Therefore, outsiders cannot come and tell us what we know in our state, and like we said some years ago that wherever you go, we will go, we still stand by it.

    “You have become our political compass, and when you lead, we will follow. So our message to you is worry not because we are behind you at all times,” he said.

    Responding, Okowa thanked the youth leaders for their support throughout his tenure and for also supporting the Oborevwori administration.

    He stated that he was not bothered about the media trials because he did nothing wrong, explaining that he was not worried “because I am a politician and every politician must develop thick skin.”

    According to Okowa, you are afraid when you have done something wrong, so there is no cause to fear. The EFCC has a right to investigate following due process, and I have nothing to fear concerning such investigations.

    “The fact is that some persons who are unkind to themselves and unkind to Delta State have decided to write the petition and engage in media trial.

    “I would have been happier if they had been more reasonable with the lies they told. They told lies on issues and situations that are not practicable.

    “When they say someone misappropriated N1.3 trillion, it does not make sense because how much truly came to the state? Is it even possible to take such funds?

    “It is for the EFCC to carry out their investigations, and I can assure you that we tried as much to be decent and followed the laws of governance in our state,” he said.

    While appreciating the youths and other stakeholders for their support, the former governor said many people would currently not appreciate the progress made in establishing three new universities during his tenure.

    “I am proud of it, but many people will not see its benefits. It’s generational because, as at today, we have over 30,000 undergraduates in those new universities.

    “They would have been outside seeking admissions at very high costs. This session alone, the three universities admitted over 11,000 students and imagine if that number was seeking admission outside the state?

    “Imagine what the costs would be to their parents, and many of them wouldn’t have qualified because of the quota system the outside universities use.

    “Before now, people were even selling their houses in Asaba because of flood, but today its no longer the same. It took us over 18 months to understudy it and construct the storm drainages, and I thank God that Governor Oborevwori is completing the ones we started in Warri,” he added.

    Okowa disclosed that the seeming tension in the state was a creation of mischief makers who “are worried about their inability to occupy political space in Delta.

    “They will do their best, but whatever they are doing is not leading them anywhere because in the last two weeks, I know the level of support that we have gotten.

    “I was just in my corner, but they have just awakened the politics in me. What they thought would bring me down has actually increased the support for me.

    “They already know that they have failed because as far as I am concerned, our political family remains intact, and we will continue to stay strong together with your support.”

  • Pray for unity in Delta, Okowa urges CAN(Photos)

    Pray for unity in Delta, Okowa urges CAN(Photos)

    Immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has called for prayers for the unity and development of the state.

    The former governor made the call when he received the State Executive of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at his residence in Asaba on Tuesday.

    He said that Delta had remained a praying state and that God had continued to be with the state and its leaders.

    The former governor congratulated the new executive committee of CAN in the state and expressed gratitude to the body for its support throughout his eight years in office.

    He urged the group to continue with same support to the new administration in the state, saying that as governor, Sheriff Oborevwori needed the spiritual support of all Christians and citizens in the state.

    According to him, I went through a lot as governor. Within three months of my coming into office, the governor’s lodge caught fire while we were sleeping, but God saved us, and we were able to run out of the house before fire service came.

    He added that there were other challenges, but with prayers from you and others, God saw me through all the travails.

    Okowa recalled that from May, 2015 to October, 2017, the Forcados Pipeline in this state was damaged, preventing oil exports from the terminal and the financial squeeze it caused in the country, made it difficult for us to pay salaries during the period.

    “We thank God that the workers saw the figures themselves and accepted half of their salaries until we started paying back the backlog after October, 2017.

    “The church was very supportive in prayers, including our traditional rulers, communities and even our youths and I remember that we had to invite the then Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, to come and talk to our people.

    “Thereafter, they allowed the oil companies to repair the Trans-Forcados oil pipeline that was breached for over two years.

    “That repair was completed in September, 2017 and thereafter, we started exporting oil again from the terminal and we later climbed to the number one oil producing state a year later.

    “So, when people begin to talk about misappropriation of funds, I wonder if they have forgotten all these so soon.

    “I may not be a Saint and I cannot say that as a politician i may not have done one wrong or the other but the most important thing is that I was truly interested in the development of the state to the best of my ability and I thank God for the support I got from all stakeholders in the state.

    “We thank God for the current Governor because he is completing ongoing projects and as I said, let the EFCC continue with their investigation, am not afraid of investigation and am sure by the grace of God the results will speak for itself,” he said.

    Earlier, the Chairman of CAN in the state, Rev. Rev. Lucky Osagbakhoe, said they came to introduce the new CAN Executive to the former governor as one of its critical stakeholders and to thank him for his support to the Christian body throughout his tenure in office.

    “We bring you greetings from CAN Delta State, this visit is to formerly introduce to you members of the new executive of Christian Association of Nigeria as we have course to relate with you from time to time as a major stakeholder.

    “We are also here to express and thank you very sincerely for your unrelenting enthusiasm, guidance and support to the leadership of CAN Delta State over the years and for all that you did for the good people of Delta State.

    “Your remarkable contributions to evangelism in Delta State will forever be remembered and we owe you debt of gratitude for the completion and furnishing of the CAN Guest House and over 3,000 sit capacity CAN Christian Centre in Asaba.

    “This visit is to reassure you that your being out of office will not in any way delete from our minds your contributions to the development of the state, because your legacies and achievements are too profound to be forgotten.

    “We hope to continue to partner with you in our work towards Christian unity in the state and beyond. By the grace of God, we would like to honour you by the middle of next if God tarries, with the title ‘Defender of the Christian Faith for openly letting the world know of your Christian life.”