By KELVIN OSEMENE/FIDELIS EGUGBO /ANDREW OHWOBETEHE

THE Delta state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, at the Oghara Township Stadium flagged off its campaign for the 2015 governorship polls with a strong indication that it was set for total victory.
Two national leaders of the party, Chief Diepriye Alamiesigha, Chairman, PDP Presidential Campaign Contact Committee, South-South and Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh, South-South party chairman
who spoke at the occasion while commending the state chapter for repositioning for victory, maintained that PDP was prepared for total victory.
They expressed optimism that PDP would sweep the polls both at the presidency and state levels.
Earlier, the state party Chairman, Chief Edwin Uzor, had said victory at the forthcoming polls would not be compromised.
The chairman, who enumerated the achievements of PDP-led administration in the state since the return to civil rule in 1999, urged all Deltans to vote for Okowa/Otuaro ticket of PDP, President Jonathan and all candidates of the party during the elections.
He assured that victory for the party would guarantee more dividends of democracy and prosperity for Deltans.
Chief Uzor, while stressing the importance of the people’s vote, appealed to Deltans to collect their permanent voters card as they could not exercise their franchise without the cards.
Addressing the mammoth crowd of supporters, the PDP Gubernatorial candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, promised to consolidate on the gains of the Uduaghan administration while expanding the frontiers of industry, agriculture and health among others.
Similarly, Governor Uduaghan expressed confidence that the party will emerge victorious in all the elections as flags were presented to the Senatorial candidates, those for House of Representatives, including candidates for House of Assembly at the Oghara Township Stadium venue of the ceremony which was well attended.
Governor Uduaghan stated that the PDP has a history of victory in the state and its track record of project delivery in the state and the country has given the party campaign materials.
The Governor, who presented the PDP gubernatorial candidate for the elections, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to Ethiope West Local Government Area’s traditional rulers’ council at the Palace of the Ovie of Oghara shortly before moving to the Oghara Township Stadium, asserted, “we have always won elections and we will win again because the PDP have a lot of things on ground to campaign with.”
Senator Okowa at the occasion said he will consolidate on the achievements of Governor Uduaghan and that of former Governor James Ibori administrations.
He assured the traditional rulers that when elected, he will continue with government partnership with them for the development of the state.
The Ovie of Oghara, HRH Oyibo Eshemiatu commended the PDP for its unity and commended Governor Uduaghan for providing good leadership to the party.
Ovie of Mosogar, HRH Omene specifically said the traditional rulers have endorsed the candidature of Senator Okowa stating, “we are moving away from politics of ethnicity, we are moving to the politics of development and we know that Senator Okowa will ensure development when he becomes the governor.”
At the campaign rally at the stadium, Senator Okowa assured Deltans that his administration will continue to build bridges of unity in the state, asserting, “we will remain as one united Delta”.
He added that his administration will develop the agricultural sector, accelerate industrialisation of the state, restructure the education sector and improve on the programmes of Governor Uduaghan’s administration.
The PDP Chairman in the state, Chief Edwin Uzor, who presented flags to the candidates observed that the PDP has done a lot for Nigerians, especially in Delta State and urged Deltans to vote for the PDP to enable the party continue with its development stride.
Others who spoke at the rally include the state’s Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), Senator Okowa’s running mate, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, the South South Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Cairo Ojougbo, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru, the Chairman of the PDP Campaign Committee, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, the Chairman, Presidential Campaign contact committee for Delta State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyesegha, among others, urged Deltans to vote massively for the PDP in the interest of the nation and the state in particular.
In a related development, the PDP campaign train moved from Oghara and berthed at Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of the state where Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan stressed the need for continuity which could be achieved by voting all PDP candidates, including President Jonathan.
He commended all for supporting the three point agenda of his administration, particularly peace and security.
The event also witnessed the presentation of flags to party candidates in the three Senatorial districts, including Senator James Manager, Delta South, Chief Ighoyota Amori, Central and Barr. Peter Nwaoboshi, North.
Others who received the party flags were House of representatives and state House of Assembly candidates, including Erhiatake Ibori, daughter of former Governor, James Ibori ,who would fly the party’s flag for Ethiope West constituency, Delta state House of Assembly.
All economic, social and commercial activities in the area were put to a halt as roads leading to and out of the Oghara township stadium, venue of the historic event in the locality were blocked.
Party faithful and supporters of the governorship candidate, including women and youths from all over the state, trouped out en-mass to welcome and declare their unreserved support for Dr. Okowa’s dream and desire to govern Delta state.
The PDP flag-bearer assured Deltans of his desire to continue to carry-on the good work of the transformation agenda of his predecessor that has led to growth and development of the state, saying that both women and youths in the three Senatorial districts would be recognised in the scheme of things.
While calling on all irrespective of religious and ethnic affiliations to close ranks and support the move to take Delta to the next level, Dr, Okowa added that it is only PDP that has the agenda good enough to realise the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
A front line politician and PDP Chieftain in the area, Hon Victor Ogheneochuko Bobi, who spoke to newsmen later, called on Urhobos to put their differences aside and support Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s candidature, revealing that the emergence of Okowa is Delta best bet.
Hon. Bobi who is also the Financial Secretary of Rain Oil Petroleum Tankers Drivers (PTD) Association of Delta state vowed to mobilise his men and indeed the people of Ethiope West Local Government Area to vote for Dr. Okowa.