OBIARUKU/Nigeria: The invitation of the immediate past Governor of Delta State and Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential election, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been described as a strategy by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to stifle opposition by targeting key political figures.
This claim was made by Ugoesa Huxley Unumadu, the Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Culture and Tourism, while addressing journalists ahead of the Ikenge Festival in Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area. Unumadu, who holds the title of Izomo of Umuebu Kingdom and Obiaruku, accused the APC-led federal government of losing public confidence due to its failure to address the country’s worsening economic crisis. He said the despair and hopelessness visible among Nigerians reflected the administration’s inability to provide effective leadership.
According to him, instead of focusing on governance, the APC is preoccupied with its fear of losing power in the 2027 general elections. He alleged that the ruling party has identified top opposition figures, including Okowa, as threats, adding that the former Delta governor remains a key political strategist capable of leading the PDP back to power.
Unumadu dismissed any allegations of corruption against Okowa, stating that efforts to indict him would fail as his administration’s record speaks for itself. He credited Okowa for transforming Delta State into a development model, particularly in infrastructure, healthcare, education, tourism, agriculture, security, and internal revenue generation.
On the vision of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for tourism, Unumadu stated that the administration is committed to positioning Delta as Nigeria’s tourism hub. He emphasized that the government has invested in key infrastructure such as road networks, landmark tourism destinations, and security to drive the industry’s growth.
He further argued that Oborevwori was the best choice to succeed Okowa, having played a pivotal role as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly in shaping the state’s development blueprint. According to him, the governor’s MORE Agenda is a continuation of Okowa’s legacy and is crucial to the state’s progress.
Unumadu also highlighted Delta State’s strong economic standing, ranking as the third-largest economy in Nigeria after Lagos and Rivers states. He advised the APC to exercise caution in its political maneuvers, warning that Okowa enjoys widespread support across Delta and the South-South region.
He outlined Okowa’s achievements, including extensive road construction that linked rural settlements to urban centers, improvements in healthcare, and the establishment of three new universities—Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba; University of Delta, Agbor; and Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro.
Other notable accomplishments cited include the construction of the ultra-modern Maryam Babangida Leisure Park and Film Village in Asaba, a landmark tourism project of international standard, and the implementation of inter-community peacebuilding initiatives that prevented major conflicts and youth restiveness during his tenure. Unumadu also credited Okowa with a governance model that ensured security across Delta State, making it one of the most peaceful states in the country.
The Izomo of Obiaruku concluded by questioning how Okowa could have misappropriated funds given the scale of his administration’s achievements. He noted that many people still wonder how the former governor managed to execute such extensive projects, which have drawn global attention to Delta’s development strides.
