KWALE/Nigeria: Former Delta State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta North senatorial candidate, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has asked the people of Ndokwa Nation to support his bid for the Senate, pledging to maintain a direct relationship with communities and make their concerns heard in the National Assembly.
Okowa made the appeal on Saturday during an interactive engagement with Ndokwa stakeholders in Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Government Area, where he presented his case for returning to the National Assembly and urged the people to hold him accountable to his promises if elected.
The meeting, organised by the Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU), brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, women and youth representatives, political stakeholders and other members of the Ndokwa community.
Speaking to the gathering, Okowa said effective representation must begin with listening to the people and understanding their priorities.
“Our people must have the opportunity to speak, share their aspirations and contribute to the conversations that shape their future,” he said.
The former governor said his aspiration to return to the Senate was driven by his desire to provide what he described as effective representation for Delta North and to establish a stronger channel through which communities could communicate their needs to government.
“Today, I seek your support to become a voice that will be recognized in the National Assembly,” Okowa said.
He also asked the people to judge him by his performance if elected, making accountability a central part of his appeal.
“I ask you to mobilize support for me and for our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates; but beyond your support, I also ask that you hold me accountable when I am in office,” he said.
Okowa said he wanted to strengthen the relationship between communities, political leaders and elected representatives so that local concerns could be communicated effectively and appropriate authorities engaged to address them.
He also recalled projects and other interventions undertaken during his tenure as governor, saying whatever had been achieved was through God’s grace and collective effort.
The former governor urged women and youths to participate actively in political mobilisation and civic education, while calling for greater unity among Ndokwa communities.
“The work ahead is significant, and by listening to one another and working across communities, we can turn our shared aspirations into meaningful progress,” he said.
The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, who attended the meeting, also spoke in support of the APC’s candidates and highlighted what he described as some of Okowa’s contributions to Ndokwa during his administration.
Onyeme cited political appointments involving people from the area, as well as roads, bridges and other projects, while describing Okowa as an inspiration to many people in Ndokwa.
He urged the people to support the APC, arguing that the party’s control of the Federal Government could provide opportunities for greater political engagement and development.
“The APC is the ruling party at the federal level, and we must position our people to benefit from the opportunities available through political participation and effective representation,” Onyeme said.
Rear Admiral Mike Onah (rtd.), OON, also called for political participation, saying Okowa was well known to the people and urging Ndokwa residents to remain active in mainstream politics.
The NNU President-General, Chief Amechi Asugwuni, in his remarks, acknowledged Okowa’s decision to contest the Delta North Senate seat and emphasised the importance of representation that understands the aspirations and developmental concerns of the people.
“As a union, we recognize the importance of effective representation that understands the aspirations, concerns, and developmental needs of our people,” Asugwuni said.
He stressed the importance of partnership between leaders and the people, urging members of the union to remain united, peaceful and committed to democratic participation.
“The power of partnership is one of the most important themes of today’s gathering; progress can only be achieved when leaders and the people work together, communicate openly, and remain accountable to one another,” he said.
Other speakers, including Professor Julie Nwabogo Umukoro and Community Development Committee chairmen from different communities, also spoke on the political choices facing the area ahead of the 2027 elections.
The event was attended by several political and community leaders, including Chief Goodwill Obielum, Barrister Sam Osasa, General Mike Ndubisi, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, Hon. Charles Emetulu and Pastor Chuks Agidigbo, alongside traditional rulers and other stakeholders.
The engagement comes as political activities intensify in Delta North ahead of the 2027 elections, with Okowa campaigning for the APC’s senatorial ticket after his move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
For Okowa, the Kwale engagement provided an opportunity to place accountability, community engagement and representation at the centre of his case for a return to the Senate, while stakeholders at the meeting articulated their respective positions on the forthcoming elections.
