By Ovasa Ogaga,
Leaders and members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Isoko Federal Constituency, Delta State, have dumped its party candidates and resolved to re-elect Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in the March 2, 2019 general elections citing unwritten power rotation agreement in state.
Member of the Isoko APC Elders Council led by Chief Joe Arausi from Isoko South
and a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abikelegba Odhegolo
who is a member of the state executive committee and South-South caucus of the
APC led others to declare their support for the second term ambition of
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
At a well attended meeting of the APC and members of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) held at the residence of Chief Arausi at Oleh, Isoko South local
government area of Delta State, the two leaders on behalf of all the members of
the party loyal to them observed that the principle of rotation of political
offices favours Governor Okowa’s return to Government House.
They stressed that his humility, delivery of democratic dividends have earned him the votes of the people across political lines.
Chief Arausi in his speech, said, “on behalf of Isoko people, we have a
pact with the Ika people, the people of Delta North to complete their tenure,
because we believe in equity, we believe this is the turn of the Anioma people
and in the spirit of equity, you (Governor Okowa) should continue till
2023.”
“No governor has equaled your (Governor Okowa) records in the area of
project delivery in Delta State, the people who are here and members of the APC
and PDP, I am the leader of the APC in Isoko South and the leader of the APC in
Isoko North, Hon. Odhegolo is here with us,” Chief Arausi said.
He disclosed further that, “the governor is here to consult us; it is the first time that we are seeing a sitting governor consulting members of the opposition political party, it is a mark of humility, the spirit of oneness and we are happy with the projects you have executed in Isoko nation.”
Speaking also, Hon. Odhegolo stated, “our Governor, you are the Road
Master because your signs are everywhere; let us leave party issues aside, let
us speak with facts, you have performed wonderfully well.”
“The change we talk about in APC is in you, Governor Okowa; your
performance has made a lot us in APC uncomfortable, I am speaking my mind and
that of members of the opposition political parties, we have decided that
because of your performance, we will work for your victory,” Hon. Odhegolo
said.
Governor Okowa at the occasion, thanked members of the opposition political
parties for working with his administration to record successes, observing,
“the governorship position is not for learners, I held several positions
before contesting for the governorship position because, I believe that I am
qualified, those who want to contest with me and have not held any other
position should contest for other positions.”
“This gathering depicts the political prowess of Chief Arausi, it takes
leadership to gather members of the APC and PDP; I believe the best way to
govern is to continue to ask for the partnership of the people because, with
the support of all, governance is made easier, there will be peace,
and development will take place,” Governor Okowa said.
“I thank all Deltans for their support; it is a thing of joy that majority of our people believe in equity, equity engenders peace, cooperation and respect for one another; we will continue to work in the overall interest of Deltans because, that is what we are elected to do,” Governor Okowa stated, adding, “what we desire is for all Deltans to join us, so that we will continue to speak with one voice because, Delta Is a great state.”
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