Delta 2023: Okowa has no running battle with Ibori, says Urhobo Youth Group

… Says Okowa has no plan to dismantle Ibori’s structure

 

By Ovasa Ogaga,

 

Urhobo Youth Leaders Association (UYLA), has said that Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has no running battles with the former Governor, Chief James Ibori over who becomes the next governor of the state come 2023 elections.

UYLA stated this at a press conference on Tuesday at DSC express road, also said that Governor Okowa has no plan to dismantle Chief James Ibori’s structure as being alleged in some quarters, adding that his remarks so far on 2023 do not in any way suggest betrayal as being quoted.

The statement which was signed by its President, Chief Tony Ofoni, Deputy President Olorogun Vincent Ogheneruemu Oyibode, Vice President Chief Austin Atiti, and the Publicity Secretary Oghotomo Samuel appeal to politicians and political leaders from Urhobo nation to apply caution going forward in the quest for Urhobo to produce the next governor of the state.

They added that the Governor has openly told the Ijaw nation that he never promised them the governorship of Delta state in 2023 and that the PDP State Chairman, Chief Kingsley Esiso has in a statement during an occasion 2020 stated that it was only fair for Delta Central to have the governorship in 2023 and that statement did not earn him any query from the Governor.

The group while applauding the DC-23 group for their push towards Delta Central producing the next governor, however, advised them that as a lobby group should be more discreet in their operations and persuasive and not combative in order to win other ethnic nation to support the Urhobo quest for governor in 2023.

UYLA also declares their support for the dissolution of the State Executive Council by Governor Okowa, noting that a situation where over 10 members of the State Executive Council including the SSG, Chief of Staff, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Chief Strategist, and others were nursing one ambition or the other particularly to take over from the incumbent was a huge distraction to the smooth running of the wheel of governance and only a proactive and decisive action of the governor could save the situation and put the Stronger Delta vision of the administration back on track. The dissolution is therefore a laudable master-stroke to keep the ship of governance in the direction of progress.

The statement read: “Recently, we have read with grave concern, some publications, public statements and comments by members of the public in both print and electronic media, on the question of 2023 gubernatorial elections. There had been claims and counterclaims over which part of the state should produce the next governor of Delta State. What troubled our minds most is a programme on Channels Television and NTA tagged ‘INSIDE THE NIGER DELTA’ anchored by Mamode Felix Akugha alleging that the incumbent Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa was working hard to dismantle the 21 years old political structure of Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former Governor of Delta state.

We are constrained to react because a statutory right of the Governor to take steps to reinvent his cabinet through a dissolution of the former State Executive Council is generating such a degree of bad blood and negative comments from a section of the populace. The Urhobo Youth Leaders Association has resolved not to keep mute while the well-considered actions and activities of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa are being discredited through a well-oiled campaign of calumny designed to pitch the governor against the interest of Delta Central in the politics of 2023.

On the role of the novel DC-23 group in the 2023 push towards Delta Central producing the next governor, we want to applaud the initiative. However, we must be quick to point out that the way and manner the group has conducted its affairs since it was formed left much to be desired. As openly admitted by members and leaders, DC-23 is a lobby group designed to work with the government of the day towards producing the next governor. A lobby group influences the policy of the government and is discreet in their covert operations without a loud outing with the tendency of taking the shine off the incumbent governor.

“The approach adopted by DC-23 in designing a constitution, calling on aspirants to declare their intentions to them and making public statements to put the Governor under pressure was not the right thing to do. They ought to work underground, lobbying others to buy the idea of power-shift to Delta Central without beating war drums. The combative stance of DC-23 cannot achieve the Delta Central dream for 2023 and to that extent, we wish the group tread with caution so as not to jeopardize the common interest of the people.

“We are particularly concerned with the attacks and counterattacks by some elements within Delta Central who have been working hard to undo one another in order to be in the good book of the governor. This is not the acceptable way of fighting the common course of the Urhobo people. Those characters who are fond of making noise in favour of one leader or the other cannot be invested with the garb of patriots fighting for the cause of Delta central. All hands must be on deck and there is none who is not important in this struggle.

“We are worried about a well-orchestrated plot to drive a wedge between former Governor James Ibori and the incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, a man with the incredible reputation of being a promise keeper. Governor Okowa has no plan to dismantle Chief James Ibori’s structure as being alleged in some quarters. His remarks so far on 2023 do not in any way suggest betrayal as being quoted. He has openly told the Ijaw nation he never promise them the governorship of Delta state in 2023. The State Chairman of the party, Chief Kingsley Esiso has in a statement during an occasion 2020 stated that it was only fair for Delta Central to have the governorship in 2023 and that statement did not earn him any query from the Governor. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is presently the leader of the party in the State. For the purpose of emphasis, our Governor has no running battle with Chief James Ibori and his structures as been claimed in some quarters by mischief makers who want to distort the unity we enjoy in the state with Governor Okowa as the driver of the progressive and highly performing party and Government.

“Okowa, as a tactical strategist, and does not need to make his direction known too early into the game. In the fullness of time, an Urhobo man will emerge as Governor by the grace of God but not on the altar of flexing muscles with the incumbent Governor who deservingly should be respected.

“We members of the Urhobo Youth Leaders Association, UYLA wish to appeal to those who are causing confusion in Delta Central to refrain from their destructive path. All Delta Central people should unite behind and work closely with Governor Okowa in the search for a successor in 2023. As youths, we are also lobbying interest groups from other senatorial districts without seeking publicity. We insist that lobby groups must work underground without making noise. It is trite to note that only Delta Central cannot go alone. We need the other senatorial districts to be able to achieve this goal.

The group appealed to other senatorial districts of Delta North and South to show understanding and allow Delta Central to produce the next Governor come 2023 so that after 8years it will rotate back to Delta South.

“We call on our leaders and elders to be more civil in their approach so as not to jeopardize our political future. Finally, we appeal that all lobby groups should work discreetly to achieve the Delta central dream for 2023,” the statement added.