Okowa’s re-election bid gets boost

The unwritten agreement on zoning arrangement in the politics of Delta State might work in favour of the reelection bid of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in the 2019 governorship election as some leading politicians both from Delta South and Central seem to have agreed in principle to respect the deal.

Leading the campaign during a public rally recently, the Delta Political Vanguard (DPV), aside from urging citizens of the state who are 18 to collect their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to enable them participate actively in the next voting exercise, also endorsed Okowa’s reelection.

Speaking at the event, Omeni Sobotie, a former political adviser to ex-Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, appealed to every citizen of the state who is 18 years and above to collect their PVC to exercise their voting rights.

Sobotie also advised Urhobo people to be committed to Okowa’s reelection, saying, “It would be their (Urhobo) turn to succeed Okowa in 2023.”

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Woman Leader, Mrs. Gbubemi Kpenosen also emphasised the need for the people to collect their PVC, saying it is their weapon to decide and determine who rules them.

On his part, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Tam Brisibe who spoke on behalf of the Ijaw people, disclosed that the Ijaws are fully backing Okowa for reelection.

However, a former Chairman of Isoko South Local Council, Bashorun Askia Ogeah described Okowa as a good product that does not need much to be marketed, saying, “We are confident that he will win again in 2019.”

In another remark at the rally, a lawmaker in the Delta State Assembly, Michael Diden harped on reason Okowa should complete his second term saying, “The governor has done so much.”

Diden, who represents Warri North, said if various speakers at the rally who are mostly politicians from Delta Central and South are yearning for Okowa for a second term, it means that the entire Delta State wants the governorship seat to remain in Delta North in 2019. 

According to him, “We should get our voters card to enable us show our strength.”

The Director-General of DPV, Ifeanyi Eboigbe said the governor would heed the call of the people to re-contest next year.