Hendrix Oliomogbe
The senatorial ambition of immediate past Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa seems to be in jeopardy as a group, Delta North Political Renaissance and Advocacy Group has vowed to mobilize against it, following his criticism of the inclusion of the proposed Anioma State in the South East geo-political zone.
The group said that the ex-governor, from the Ika axis of Anioma, who first had a stint in the upper legislative chambers between 2011 and 2015 and is currently gunning for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election, has no justification consulting the people of Aniocha South and Aniocha North Local Government Areas, who are predominantly of Igbo extraction and longed to be united with their Igbo kinsmen in the South East geo-political zone.
In a joint statement by the President, Dr. Kester Koyegwachie and Secretary General, High Chief Enuosa Benjamin, they stated that the outright rejection of Okowa’s senatorial aspiration was one of the resolutions adopted by the leadership and members of the foremost political pressure group at the end of an emergency meeting to evaluate unfolding political developments in Delta State ahead of next years general election.
The group stated that it had mobilized and gave marching orders to its “foot soldiers” and teaming supporters across the nine local government areas of Delta North to enforce the resolutions of the body to the later.
While knocking the Owa Alero, Ika North East Local Government Area born politician, for “double speaking”on the issues of creation of Anioma State and classification of Anioma people as Igbos, Koyegwachie and Enuosa pointedly accused the former Governor of “deliberately opposing the creation of Anioma state — a cause which, according to them, represented identity, equity and development.
In their words: “Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, it is no longer enough to speak in polished tones or hide behind political rhetoric. The people demand clear, honest and accountable answers to fundamental questions relevant to their very existence.
“Today, as the agitation grows stronger and legitimate where does the former governor’s opposition truly stand in the scheme of things?"
The chairman and the secretary recalled that in the build up to the 2023 general election, Senator Okowa, who was then the Vice Presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) told the world that he was an Igbo man, only to recant his words three years later by subtly working against the inclusion of the proposed Anioma State in the South East geopolitical zone.
The statement lashed the ex-governor for his inconsistency and deceitful disposition on issues of common interest to the people of Delta North, adding that efforts to actualize Anioma State creation were not only being misconstrued and misrepresented but also skewed against those in the forefront of achieving the age long wish and aspiration of the Anioma people.
They asked what would be the position of the former governor if Anioma State becomes a reality tomorrow, through alignment with the South East, wondering whether he (Okowa) would stand with the people or retreat again to ambiguity.
Koyegwachie and Enuosa reminded the former governor that he once served as senator and governor for a combined twelve years period of power, influence and authority and demanded to know the concrete efforts he made within the period towards the realization of the Anioma project.
The organisation further put the performance of Senator Okowa in the Senate under close scrutiny and sought to know the sacrifices he made towards the Anioma cause, the bills he championed and the alliances he built within the pendency of his four year tenure just as it insisted that leadership was not measured by titles but by impact
They continued: “Delta North deserves much more than recycled leadership. It deserves vision, integrity and a future built on transparency, hard work, service to the people and truth — not shadows of unanswered questions as in the case of the N1.3 trillion Delta State funds currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC).
“Senator Okowa, the allegations are just too weighty to be ignored, hence we urge you to first of all clear your name before seeking to represent the good people of Delta North in the Senate in 2027."
They said that among others, the people of Delta State deserve to know what happened to the whooping N1.3 trillion of the state's money that went underground during his tenure, noting that a leader must not only governs but answers to and clears any shades of doubt where necessary.
The chairman and the scribe said the general body language and conduct of Senator Okowa was that of a politician desperate to get what he wants at all costs without recourse to the consequences of such action and hinted of growing discontentment among the people of the district as evidenced by wide spread protest by youths over the move by the former governor to re-contest the Delta North senatorial seat next year.
The duo also took a swipe at the performance of Senator Okowa while in office as governor, saying that the period was characterized by outright monumental failure in development of infrastructure in most rural communities, as there were no visible and tangible projects in most rural communities across Delta State, particularly in Delta North.
In their words: “What tangible political legacy can the Governor point to in Aniocha North and Aniocha South? What enduring footprints did he leave behind? Institutions that empowered youth, or should the people accept those years as a period that deepened stagnation and pushed the region further into poverty and retrogression?
At the meeting, which was attended by delegates from across the nine local government areas of Delta North, the group further berated Senator Okowa for sidelining the legacy members of the APC in his so called consultation with the people, alleging that only PDP members who recently crossed over to APC were being consulted.
The group warned that the development could portend backlash for the APC if not checked and called on youths of Delta North to rise up to the task of implementing the decisions of the group without delay.
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