- Governor Okowa, Ibori at Delta South Political Gathering Recently
The political turf of Delta state is becoming busier with shades of intrigues being played out by the day.
As it were, the atmosphere is getting charged with superior political ideologies displaying parochial and old fashioned ones. The political parties are gearing up for the political derby with invigorated interest and zeal as the tempo of politicking is getting to a feverish peak in the state.
No doubt, the fiercest contest for the political offices in the state is set to be pitched between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), the most popular parties in the state.
We recall recent development in the hordes of political activities in the state, which was the endorsement of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his Deputy, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro for a second term, at the PDP Delta South mega rally in Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South local government area, on June 9, 2018, before then, the people of Delta North and Central had also done so.
Also recently the traditional rulers of Delta Central, and the entire traditional rulers in the state, had given their endorsement, even the market women in Sapele, as was displayed during the recent commissioning of the Sapele Main Market, where the occasion was turned into a political rally.
Without doubts, the occasion was remarkable, going by the mammoth crowd of PDP supporters, and the aspirants that thronged the event, thus rekindling the governor Okowa’s passion to extend his stay at the government house beyond 2019.
We note that this newest display of solidarity by the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a sure signal that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa would garner full support of his party in the 2019 governorship election as he gears up to governing Delta state for another unbroken four years.
At a close watch, one could notice the buzzing euphoria in the camps of the various political parties with their members being optimistic of coasting home with a victory at the 2019 polls.
We state that while these expressions of hope are quite phenomenal, it behoves governor Okowa, and other political parties’ aspirants to know that victory at elections is hugely dependent on the decision of the electorates who would cast their votes at the polls.
The implication of the above narratives underscores the grime fact that only a free and fair election can guarantee the aspirants their much desired victory. Therefore, we advise that the procedures for achieving a free and fair election must be kept sacrosanct and promoted anytime, anywhere political issues are being discussed, debated or canvassed.
It is on that note, we call on governor Ifeanyi Okowa to work hand in gloves with the federal government, INEC and the security operatives to ensure the 2019 elections are conducted under a peaceful atmosphere so that the electorates could exercise their franchise without fear of being intimidated, molested or threatened by political thugs under any guise.
This may not be a huge task for the governor to achieve if he would interface with the relevant stakeholders and prioritize the gains in free and fair elections vis a vis transforming the chequered political landscape of Delta state to pave way for a better tomorrow.
In the same plank, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa should know that he requires another brand of courage to pursue people oriented policies to the letter, if he retains his current office as the governor of Delta state come 2019.
