ASABA/Nigeria: Delta Governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has urged his rival in the March 9 gubernatorial election, Chief Great Ogboru of the All Progressive Congress (APC), to join his administration in building a stronger state.
He made the call on Friday at an inter-denominational thanksgiving service shortly after the reaffirmation of his electoral victory by the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which sat in Asaba.
“I appeal to my brother, Ogboru, that the time has come to stop fighting; it is time to partner together to do the best that we can for our people.
“I appeal that enough is enough; it is time to build Delta State together for the good of our people.
“I ask for the hands of the opposition, because Delta State is for all of us; we cannot do it alone and I want to thank our supporters and all Deltans for praying for us.
“We require the assistance of all in prayer and in human partnership, and we must continue to pray for our state and our country, because we believe that our prayer will save our country.
“As Deltans, we must hold firmly to the Lord, because Delta State will continue to remain peaceful and united as we will prosper together,” he said.
The governor, who also thanked his legal team and former President of the Senate, Sen. David Mark, who attended the service in company with his wife, assured Deltans that the next four years would be more fruitful than his first tenure.
Earlier in his sermon, the Government House Chaplain, Venerable Charles Osemenem, had said that God ruled the affairs of men.
According to him, because God is interested in the affairs of man, we should be careful and mindful of what we do; let us acknowledge God in all our ways because, our God never fails.
“When He opens a door, nobody can close it,” the chaplain said.
Wife of the Governor, Dame Edith Okowa, the Deputy Governor, Mr Kingsley Otuaro; Sen. James Manager, House of Representatives member, Ndudi Elumelu; Speaker, Delta House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborovweri, were among dignitaries at the service.
It Was a Victory for a Stronger Delta – Obielum
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Organization in Delta North Senatorial District in the last gubernatorial election, Chief Godwill Obielum has described the reaffirmation of the electoral victory of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as a victory for all Deltans.
Reacting to the victory in Asaba, Chief Obielum said Deltans believe that the elections have come and gone and are already enjoying Governor Okowa’s second term.
“We campaigned vigorously, the people came out to vote massively for Governor Okowa and it was gladdening to note that the wish of the people was upheld by the Tribunal.
“The verdict was a victory for a stronger Delta because, our people have started looking at how the state will be in 2023, they have started enjoying dividends of the second term of Governor Okowa’s administration.
“That Governor Okowa performed in his first tenure was obvious with the way the people voted; we know that the state is a PDP stronghold, but, the love of the people for our Governor based on his performance in his first tenure was evident; they spoke with one voice through their voters’ cards.
“With the zoning formula, Delta North which Governor Okowa is from will do eight years just as Delta Central did eight years through Chief James Ibori and Delta South did eight years through Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, so, it was just natural that the people came out to cast their votes for who and what they believed in,” Chief Obielum said.
He observed that the jubilation in the state was a clear evidence that the judgment was expected and thanked Deltans for their support for the PDP since 1999, noting that the party will continue to meet with their aspirations.
…It Was Expected That Okowa Will Win – Ezechi
EXECUTIVE Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Youths Development, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi has congratulated the governor on his victory at the gubernatorial electoral tribunal which sat in Asaba.
Ezechi in his reactions shortly after the tribunal reaffirmed the victory of the governor at the polls on Friday (20/09/19), said the verdict was expected.
“We give thanks to God for this victory; it was an expected verdict because, Delta is home to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and it is just impossible for two to be greater than 23.
“Governor Okowa won in 23 local government areas while his greatest rival won in two local government areas with Governor Okowa getting good number of votes too in those local government areas that he lost but, his opponent decided to stretch the democratic provisions by going to the tribunal.
“We are all Deltans and with the all inclusive-governance approach of Governor Okowa, the opponents should not cause distractions but, rather, join the government to build a stronger Delta.
“The youths, elders, religious and more than 80 per cent of Deltans came out to vote for Governor Okowa, so, the Tribunal did the right thing by upholding the decision of the majority of the people which they did with their voters cards.
“We cannot only congratulate our dear Governor, Dr Okowa, we congratulate Deltans, members of the PDP and all lovers of democracy; it was indeed a victory for democracy and we believe that this should signify the end to litigations as a result of the elections,” Hon. Ezechi said.
