₦airaland Forum

PRESS STATEMENT

17TH MARCH, 2023

STOP HARASSMENT OF OUR LEADERS IN ETHIOPE WEST LGA, PDP TELLS POLICE; APPEALS FOR NEUTRALITY DURING GOVERNORSHIP/STATE ASSEMBLY ELECTION

Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has been informed of a deliberate plot by the Nigerian Police to invite our top leaders, especially in Oghara and Jesse, Ethiope West LGA, and subsequently, detain them over the weekend, thus removing them physically from participating in the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections, scheduled for Saturday, March 18th, 2023.

Our leaders who have been subjected to this unprovoked intimidation and harassment include: BARR. JOHN NANI,
RT. HON. BEN IGBAKPA, ISAAC OMOMEDIA, JOKPA OYOKOSE, HENRY EGHWUBARE, BENJAMIN OBOH, DUNCAN EGWERE, MRS. HAPPY OTOJARERI, PATRICK ATUMAH, FESTUS MADUKU, NICHOLAS OMOKO, PHILIP OKE, and others.

We unequivocally declare that this is a calculated plot, not only to disenfranchise our leaders and prevent them from exercising their constitutional right to fully participate in the elections, it is also a wicked strategy to remove them from circulation, place them incommunicado and deny our teeming supporters of the critical presence of their leaders at this crucial election.

We hereby caution in strong terms, that we will not take this obvious harassment, intimidation, and suspected temporary incarceration and incapacitation of our leaders during this crucial election weekend, lying low.

PDP is a responsible, law-abiding political party and we therefore humbly urge the respected Inspector General of Police to advise the AIG Zone 5 and his officers and men, to maintain professional neutrality and remain apolitical during the election, not only by deferring their invitation to our leaders, if at all necessary, until after the election, but to also desist forthwith from implementing any other ill-intentioned, anti-democratic ploy to surreptitiously clamp down on our leaders on the eve of an election.

Deltans are convinced that the Nigerian Police would not want to blemish its hard-earned impressive reputation, by engaging in acts of sabotage that can potentially truncate the electoral process and subsequently provoke and unleash a backlash of visible unrest by an aggrieved electorate.

They should allow restraint and wise counsel to prevail in the above regard, please.

The world is keenly watching Delta State and Nigeria.


Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza,
Deputy Director, Media & Publicity,
Delta PDP Campaign Council/ State Publicity Secretary,
Delta State PDP.

2023 Guber: Owhe Ward 6 Unite For Oborevwori, Odior

.......As Ukodhiko, Ogorugba, Isagba, Ogwah Continue To Galvanize The People

By Ikodudu Kingsley

Ahead of the Saturday, March 18th, 2023 Gubernatorial and State House of Assembly election, the PDP HOR Member-Elect for Isoko North and South federal constituency, Hon. Pst. Engr. Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko, Prince Godwin Ogorugba, PDP Chairman Isoko North, Hon. Richard Richie Isagba, Campaign Council Coordinator for Owhe ward 6, and Hon. Mike Ogwah have continued to galvanize the Owhe people in a bid to garner more votes for the PDP.

Today at the Owhe Ward 6 enlarged meeting, comprising of Otor-Owhe and Akiewhe communities, Pastor Ukodhiko while addressing the people, thanked the people for their support in the presidential and National Assembly election that led to his victory.

He also charged the people to come out en-masse and vote for the PDP on Saturday, March 18th, to consolidate the gains of the February 25th electoral victory of the PDP.

"I am here today to thank the Otor-Owhe and Akiewhe people for the overwhelming support and votes they gave to me and the PDP in the last election. Frankly speaking, you people surprised me and showed me that Owhe is one indivisible clan that cannot be divided by a few individuals with divergent interests.

"I will not disappoint the Owhe people because they have reposed so much confidence in me by massively supporting and voting for me. I want to appeal to you people to replicate the same support this Saturday by coming out en masse to vote for Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Delta State PDP Gubernatorial Candidate, and Barr. Bernard Odior, the PDP House of Assembly Candidate for Isoko North State Constituency", Ukodhiko added.

On his part, the Isoko North party chairman Prince Godwin Ogorugba also thanked the people for believing in the PDP over the years and stated that their support in the 2023 general election will not go unrewarded with Pastor Ukodhiko at the federal, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and Barr. Bernard Odior at the state, Owhe people will get their own fair share of the dividends of democracy.

"I want to enjoin all Owhe ward 6 people to vote PDP in the coming election, as PDP is the only viable party in Delta State and Isoko", Ogorugba.

Responding on behalf of the ward, Hon. Richard Isagba noted that Owhe ward 6 is fully for PDP, and they are ready to triple the votes they had in the last election in the coming election as most of the aggrieved party members have returned to the party and are working assiduously to ensure resounding victory at the poll for the PDP, come Saturday, March 18th, 2023.

Guber Poll: Okowa Urges PDP Leaders To Work For Party's Victory

Delta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on Wednesday, urged the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in across the state to carry all members along to ensure a resounding victory for the party in the March 18 gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections.

Okowa gave the advice at a stakeholders meeting with members of the party at the residence of Chief Solomon Ogba in Aviara, Isoko South Local Government Area of the state.

He urged the party faithful to collaborate by putting the past behind them and work collectively to enable the PDP record overwhelming success for all its candidates in the forthcoming elections.

According to him, members of the party should draw a lesson from what happened in the presidential and national assembly elections held on February 25 so as to avoid a repeat of what happened during that election.

The governor appealed to aggrieved persons to bury the hatchet and work for the electoral success of the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and the party's candidates for the House of Assembly.

He also implored leaders and members of the PDP to work assiduously to enable them deliver their units and wards, adding that they should protect their votes at all the levels.

"When l was listening to the PDP Chairman in Isoko South, he said that they will deliver massive votes for the party and to deliver such votes, everybody must work together.

"I thank you all very well. Those who are aggrieved should bury the hatchet and work together because if the party goes down, every member of the party will collectively go down and if the party goes up, every member will rise collectively.

"We must realise that together, we must fight this battle and therefore, everybody has to be on track with the same plan to enable us emerge victorious in the March 18 polls.

"The past presidential and national assembly elections should teach us a lesson so that we can plan ahead and work together for the victory of the PDP.

"We must carry everybody, including the youths and women, along in the scheme of things. It is very important that we carry everybody along. The youth must not be ignored.

"We should realise that with the BVAS technology, it is one man, one vote. So, we should learn that everyone has one vote," Okowa said, and urged members of the party to woo eligible voters in their areas to vote on Saturday.

Earlier in their separate speeches, the PDP Chairman in Isoko South Local Government Area, Chief Godspower Obaro and Chief Solomon Ogba, had assured that they would mobilise eligible voters in the area to vote massively for the party's governorship and House of Assembly candidates.

PRESS RELEASE

14TH MARCH, 2023

DELTA PDP CONDEMNS ATTACK ON RT. HON. SHERIFF OBOREVWORI'S CONVOY, CALLS ON POLICE TO FISH OUT PERPETRATORS

Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Campaign Council, is absolutely staggered and horrified by the reported attack on the convoy of our Governorship flag bearer Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, by unknown gunmen, between Elume Junction and Okuabude, in Okpe Local Government Area of the State, on Sunday, March 12, 2023.

The heavy attack, which was confirmed in a Press Statement by Mr. Dennis Otu, Chief Press Secretary to our Governorship Candidate and Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, left many vehicles, including the one conveying our candidate and several security vehicles attached to the convoy, riddled with the hail of bullets sprayed on the convoy, by the unknown gunmen.

Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori only survived the ambush by the special Grace of God, the fortuitous protection of his bulletproof vehicle, and the gallantry of his brave security men, who rose to the occasion by engaging the gunmen in a fierce gun exchange duel which lasted over ten minutes, before the assailants took to their heels and disappeared into the thick darkness of the night.

Delta State PDP is unequivocally declaring this heavy attack as a deliberate, well-planned, and clinically executed assassination attempt on the life of our Governorship Candidate and leading contender in the Delta State Gubernatorial race.

We have repeatedly raised alarm and highlighted the penchant of violence synonymous with some political parties in the State, especially at election time and this recent incident is one attack too many on our Governorship Candidate, so close to election day. We are therefore strongly calling on the Security Agencies to quickly swing into action and bring the suspected assassins to book immediately.

We are also calling on our teeming supporters to remain calm and peaceful in the face of this horrible manifestation of deliberate violence, targeted at eliminating the next Governor of Delta State, by the grace of God.

Delta State PDP will neither be intimidated nor distracted by this cowardly act of known purveyors of violence, and while reiterating our clarion call on the Security Agencies to apprehend the perpetrators, urge our members to always be vigilant and prepared for any eventualities as election day approaches.

PDP! Power to the People!!

Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza.
Deputy Director, Media & Publicity,
Delta PDP Campaign Council/ State Publicity Secretary,
Delta State PDP.

PRESS RELEASE

14TH MARCH, 2023

CHIEF JOE OMENE ENDORSES SHERIFF OBOREVWORI AS GOVERNOR, CONFIRMS OUR DECISION TO MAINTAIN EQUITY, FAIRNESS, JUSTICE IN DELTA STATE

The Delta State PDP Campaign Council, most sincerely and with a deep sense of respect and gratitude, extend our heartfelt appreciation and satisfaction to our cerebral and highly articulate elder statesman and leader, Chief Joe Omene, former President General of the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, for his forthright and faultless endorsement of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, as the next Governor of Delta State.

We have watched and listened with great awe and admiration, the video excerpt of an interview with Chief Omene, released by RERO TV, and we were totally fascinated by the clear, simple, incontrovertible facts and logic with which the former leader of the umbrella body of Urhobo ethnic nation, x-rayed our present political situation and espoused, in his usual courageous, uncensored and charismatic style, the singular reason, above every other consideration, why Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, should become the next Governor of Delta State.

As a responsible political party, we have always strived to maintain fairness, equity, and justice in the delicate balance and equilibrium to sustain the rotational power-sharing arrangement that defines us as a party of the people, across all positions in our party at the State and Local Government levels, while ensuring that the principles and tenets of internal democracy and representational recognition are maintained in the distribution of offices and responsibilities, as much as possible.

We, therefore agree completely with the position of Chief Joe Omene, which he presented so succinctly and unequivocally, that having first of all established that the rotational power-sharing balance in Delta State has rightly and equitably been delivered to Delta Central, the definitive and absolutely fair and just decision, is to ensure that the OSU, (Okpe, Sapele, Uvwie), the only axis in the Delta Central Senatorial zone composition yet to have produced a Governor in the State, is given its rightful due and recognition.

This is the point which Chief Joe Omene concisely and effortlessly delivered with his symbolic candour, embellished with an admirable dose of pointed innuendo with which he expressed his disappointment over the deliberate efforts by respected and revered leaders and statesmen of our party, to disintegrate the house which they collectively built, with their unstatesmanly manoeuvres.

We could not agree more with Chief Joe Omene in this position, even as we admit that his clarification is an endorsement and justification of the pragmatic, progressive, and collectively encompassing vision of sustaining the equity and unity of Delta State which defined and guided the conduct of our party primaries, several months ago.

We are grateful to Chief Omene for setting the records straight and clearing the air on a unanimously accepted matter, which so many discerning leaders of our party, who should be defending the brave and courageous decision, have unfortunately manipulated it for selfish political purposes.

Deltans are now wiser and more informed on why Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is the right choice as our Governorship flag bearer and the next Governor of Delta State. We therefore urge all eligible voters to come out en masse on March 18, 2023 and vote for PDP and the UMBRELLA all the way to victory.

PDP! Power to the People!!

Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza.
Deputy Director, Media & Publicity,
Delta PDP Campaign Council/ State Publicity Secretary,
Delta State PDP.

Delta APC's desperation and penchant for unbridled propaganda

We have been inundated by series of mendacious propaganda and barefaced lies churned out on daily basis by the opposition All Progressives Congress APC in Delta State.

Recall that we did informed the general public about the agenda of the APC and its Governorship Candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege's plots to engage in campaign of calumny and massive deployment of propaganda attacks on the Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa led administration even when the Governor is not in the ballot with him.

As a government and as a political party, we have refrained from engaging in likewise manner because we believe that we are not just decent people but because we have enormous achievements in the state to campaign with.

However, the Deputy President of the Senate and APC's Guber candidate should be reminded that we are not unaware of his trial for fraud in the United States of America and how he desecrated the hallowed chambers of the Senate with the mace saga.

We are not also uninformed of how he hijacked surveillance contracts meant for the people of the state especially the Urhobos and the Isoko people while paying them pittance.

Because we are decent people, we need not emphasise the fact that the few things he brought into Delta are largely warehoused in his Orogun community, hence he is not just tribal but clannish.

As a party in the state, we pride ourselves with the massive infrastructural development of the PDP administration over the years and we are running our campaigns based on Sheriff Oborevwori's M.O.R.E Agenda which is structured to ensure smooth and progressive continuity in governance, anchored on Meaningful Development, Opportunity for all Deltans, Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security in the state.

On the alleged N850 billion loan or debt as alleged by the APC, we can only but describe it as a lie from the pit of hell and we challenge them to provide the names of the banks that lent us the money and when they were borrowed.

The Asaba Airport concessioning remains one of the best decisions of the Okowa administration because the airport is doing better than what it was before the concession. The uninformed APC would have wanted us to run the airport with state funds with no expertise.

In line with global best practices, experts in aviation field who are not in any way related to the Governor are running the airport and they also confirmed that they never met the Governor throughout the negotiations.

We therefore urge Deltans to ignore the calculated attempts by the APC to demonise our party even as we remain ever committed to ensure that our Governorship Candidate, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori and candidates of our party in the State House of Assembly emerge victorious in the March 11 Governorship and House of Assembly polls.

Aniagwu Charles
Hon. Commissioner for Information
Delta State
March 5, 2023.

2023 Poll: Ukodhiko's maternal family in Oleh, says we can't abandon our son

By Ikodudu Kingsley

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the popular House of Representatives Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for Isoko Federal Constituency, and foremost businessman, Pastor Engr. Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko, today, visited his maternal Etojezi family and Oghae Street in Oleh, to thank them for all their efforts in promoting his candidacy in Oleh and to seek their blessings as we draw closer to the date of the election.

The visitation which could be likened to a mini-carnival saw Oleh women come out in droves to welcome Pastor Ukodhiko who is their son, and members of his entourage.

The event took place at the Oghae Street ancestral building known as 'Ogwah' and was presided over by Chief Paul Obi who is the Odio of Oghae street.

Pastor Ukodhiko in his brief opening speech stated, "I want to appreciate all members of my maternal family and members of Oghae street for their support since this vision of representing my people was birthed, for not abandoning me despite the opposition from some persons.

"As we all know, the first stage of the general election will be held on the 25th of this month which is less than two weeks from now, I am here today to seek the traditional blessing and the continuous backing of my maternal family members as customs demand, and to reassure my family members of my resolved to give Isoko the Isoko quality representation", Ukodhiko added.

Speaking on behalf of the Etojezi family and Oghae Street, the Odio of Oghae street, Chief Paul Obi, said, "all the members of Oghae street, your maternal street and members of Etojezi family, are aware of your ambition and we will not abandon you at all, you are our son because your mother is from here. In the morning, you are blessed, in the afternoon and evening, you are blessed.

"You have our support, we will vote for you, and also we will canvass others to vote for you", Chief Obi stated.

The women of Oghae street also led a special prayer session for Pastor Ukodhiko.

Some of the members of Oghae street who were present at the event are Chief Victor Oveh, the Osogba of Oghae street, Comr. Obiebi Humphrey, Secretary of Oghae street, Dr. Eniforo Malam-Obi, Rev. Paul. Ilolo, Elder James Agwor, elder Oki, Hon Chief Benjamin Efekodo, Comrd. Mike Evivie, Hon Jerry Obi. Chief James Obeuwou, Mrs. Roseline Ubara, Paris Ubara, and Mrs. Joy Egbo, among others.

Some of the dignitaries who accompanied Pastor Ukodhiko are; Hon. Christian Iteire, Chairman Isoko LGA, Dr. Barr. Paul Oweh, Commissioner representing Isoko Ethnic Nationality on the Board of DESOPADEC, Prince Godwin Ogorugba, PDP Chairman, Isoko North Chapter, Hon. Frank Ozue, Vice Chairman, Isoko North LGA, Hon. Peter Emaziye, Ph.D.

Others are Hon. Richard Isagba, SSA to the Governor on Legislative Matters, Hon. Mike Ogwah, Deputy Director of Special Duties, Delta State Campaign Council, Chief John Araka, the 20th editor of Daily Times, Chief Emmanuel Edevor, Hon. Jahswil Asaba.

PRESS RELEASE

22ND DECEMBER, 2022

DELTA PDP MOURNS JOE UNUAME

Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has expressed sadness over the sudden demise of Chief Joe Unuame, a prominent chieftain and beloved stalwart of the party, who was involved with his driver, in a ghastly motor accident, on their way to a campaign rally of the party in Patani Local Government Area of the State.

Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, State Publicity Secretary Delta State PDP and Deputy Director, Media and Publicity, Delta State PDP Campaign Council, conveyed the sad mood of the party, in a statement that reads:

"It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we received the wrenching news of the sudden passing of our friend, brother, and one of the solid pillars of the PDP in Delta State, Chief Joe Unuame, who was involved in a fatal motor accident in which he and his driver lost their precious lives, on their way to our campaign rally in Patani, Delta State.

"Chief Unuame, who hails from Akpere-Olomu community, Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, was a beloved party stalwart in Delta Central and a renowned grassroots mobilizer who threw his full weight behind the Vice-Presidential bid of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the Governorship ticket of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori and Sir Monday Onyeme, as well as all the PDP Candidates for the 2023 general elections.

"This sudden, untimely, unexpected tragedy has not only thrown us into grief and mourning, but it has also shocked us beyond words and left a gaping vacuum in our ranks, especially at this auspicious time when his ebullient presence and boisterous good nature, would have been so critical to our efforts, as we move into the last lap of our comprehensive campaigns to secure the ultimate victory in the 2023 elections.

"Our heart goes out to the families of the deceased and we pray that God almighty give them the strength and fortitude to bear the monumental departures, even as we pray that such afflictions will not visit us again in the collective political family of Delta State.

May the gentle soul of Chief Joe Unuame and those of the dearly departed, rest peacefully in the bosom of the Lord, Amen.

Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza,
Deputy Director,
Media/Publicity Committee,
Delta PDP Campaign Council and
State Publicity Secretary,
PDP, Delta State.

2023: Atiku will defeat Obi in South-East - Aniagwu

Spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Charles Aniagwu says the turn out for the party’s presidential rally in Anambra and Imo states shows that the party had what it takes to win in the South East geopolitical zone.

Speaking on Arise Television on Saturday, Aniagwu said that the PDP was still very popular in the South East and urged Nigerians to support the party’s Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to rescue the nation from destruction.

Aniagwu said contrary to claims that Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi may win because he was from the South East, popular politicians had defeated their opponents in the past even in their strong holds.

According to him, the same way you have Peter Obi in the South East, same way you have Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso in the North and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in the South-West, so individuals will naturally come from somewhere.

"That a man comes from somewhere does not mean that he may not be defeated and I may need to take you back to 1992 and if you could recall Bashir Tofa and Moshood Abiola. Tofa from Kano and Abiola from Ogun State in the South-West but Abiola defeated him in Kano.

"So that a man is from a place does not mean that the place will automatically be for him. And so I would not want us to be intimidated with the fact that somebody is from somewhere.

"Atiku is not just speaking and making promises, his chances both in the South-East and elsewhere in the country is far brighter than even the northern star and that is on the basis of his pedigree in time past.

"You will recall that between 1999 and 2007, Atiku and Obasanjo held sway in this country and their records are there for everyone to see," he said.

The campaign spokesman further remarked that Atiku had the ability to search for talents to develop the country as he did while he was Vice president.

"Atiku is not just talking because he has the ability to search for talents irrespective of where they are from.

"Dr Okonjo Iweala and Professor Chukwuma Soludo who served as Minister of Finance and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, were discovered by Atiku and they made great impact during their tenure."

On bringing peace back to the South-East, Aniagwu said Atiku had already enshrined peace and unity in his policy document "My Covenant With Nigerians"

"Atiku has made it very clear that he is going to discuss with both state and non-state actors and the crisis in the South-East is basically from non-state actors.

"Some people see them as agitators while others see them as militants but Atiku is not going to be involved in labeling. He will discuss the issues with them and good enough some of the issues are already known to him.

"Issues of under development and marginalization and he says he is going to address them to ensure that every Nigerian irrespective of where you are from is going to be brought on the decision table and once those issues are dealt with, the people agitating would have been assuaged to embrace peace," he said.

Aniagwu who is also Delta State Commissioner for Information, said the party's Vice-Presidential Candidate and Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa had addressed similar issues in the state to the extent that the creeks where there used to be agitations is now as peaceful as the upland.

"Atiku besides his pan Nigerian disposition also believed that that formula worked and will be adopted to bring lasting peace across the country, so we are quite convinced that Atiku will take decisions that will make everybody comfortable by forming a government of national unity," Aniagwu added.

DPV Rally: Askia Endorses Ukodhiko For Reps

By Ikodudu Kingsley

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of DESOPADEC, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, has endorsed the PDP House of Representatives Candidate, Isoko Federal Constituency, Pastor Engr. Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko, ahead of the 2023 general election.

The news of the endorsement was personally delivered by Chief Askia, who is the National Deputy Chairman of DPV, at the Delta Political Vanguard (DPV) mega rally in honor of their National Chairman, Evang. Michael Diden (Ejele), at the Olomoro Primary School Field, Olomoro, Isoko South Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking at the rally, Chief Ogieh stated that, "DPV is for PDP 5/5, and we are ready to deliver the PDP and all her candidates in the 2023 general election. He noted that Isoko is PDP, and we will deliver because that's what we are known for.

Ogieh who is the Udu of Isoko land paid glowing tributes to Diden and even vouched for him before the Isoko people that he will perform if voted for, and enjoined the Isoko people to vote for Ejele and Ukodhiko.

Before lifting Ukodhiko's hand while endorsing him as the candidate of DPV, Chief Askia said, "I am supporting you and DPV is supporting you because the primary election of the PDP House of Representatives, Isoko Federal Constituency which you won, was a free and fair election and you won because the delegates voted for you".

"I want to re-echo it today, as the Political Operational Leader of Isoko and the DPV, I have endorsed Ukodhiko as our rep's candidate; sequel to the decision, I am warning all mischief makers that they should stop peddling rumors with my name that I am not supporting Ukodhiko. I am supporting him and I am working for his election victory.

"I want to state it here today, nobody should use my name for cheap politics, whoever is saying another thing with my name, is on his own. I am for Ukodhiko and PDP 5/5.

"As the Udu of Isoko Land and the National Deputy Chairman of DPV, I am charging all our members, to go back to their various wards to work for the victory of the PDP," Askia added.

Atiku'll resuscitate MSMEs with $10bn - Okowa

Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Saturday, affirmed that the party’s Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, would revive and grow Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with 10 billion dollars.

Okowa stated this at the flag-off of PDP's Presidential Campaign in Imo held at Heroes' Square, Owerri and urged Imo people and all Nigerians to vote Atiku-Okowa ticket for the unity, rescue and rebuilding of the nation from the ruins the APC-led Federal Government pluned into.

He charged party faithful in the state to take the campaigns to the homes of the people to assure them that the PDP would resolve all security and economic challenges facing the nation, if elected.

"What I am seeing here today shows that you are indeed working very hard for the PDP and I am convinced that PDP will win the election in February, 2023.

"I greet all of you and I am very convinced that you are very ready to work for the PDP because you have come here in very large numbers.

"I urge you all to go to all our communities and preach to the people about the programmes and policies of the PDP as encapsulated in the Atiku's 'Covenant With Nigerians'.

"Only Atiku can unite Nigeria and rescue us out of the dire situation the APC has placed Nigerians with their inept leadership.

"Atiku has assured of a 10 billion dollar fund to support MSMES and you can be assured that whatever he says, he does.

"I have gone to various parts of the country and I am convinced that Atiku and PDP will win the election and when that happens, Imo State will be counted among the states won by the PDP," he stated.

On his part, National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, said Imo had been a traditional PDP state since 1999 and urged the people to work together to win the presidential election for the party in 2023.

"Once we have won the Presidency, then be assured that Imo will be back to PDP. If you vote PDP be sure of economic growth because without security you cannot develop.

"We shall tackle insecurity so that our people can return to their various endeavours," he stated.

Ayu warned against division in the party and urged the leaders to unite and work for the party’s victory in 2023, saying ""We will not accept division in our party; everybody must work together to produce victory for the party".

Chairman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, said Atiku Abubakar remained the only candidate to unify the country and bring back the industries and create jobs for the people.

"Atiku will resuscitate and restore our nation's lost glory," Udom stated.

Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council and Governor of Sokoto State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, charged Imo people to vote for the PDP to recover the nation from abject poverty, insecurity and economic malaise brought upon the country by the inept APC.

The campaign team, which had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Imo State Traditional Rulers' Council led by the Chairman, Eze Dr Emmanuel.C. Okeke (Eze Imo), had in attendance Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; former Governors of Imo, Chief Achike Udenwa and Chief Emeka Ihedioha.

Others include former Governor of Old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, former National Chairman of the party, John Nwodo; former President of the Senate, Adolphus Wagbara and Senator Ben Ndi-Obi.

Okowa congratulates Buhari at 80

Vice Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his 80th birth anniversary.

Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba extended the goodwill of the government and people of the state to the President on the landmark anniversary, saying God had been faithful.

The governor used the opportunity to commend Buhari for the completion of the second Niger Bridge, and remarked that it was a demonstration of "political will and statesmanship"

He said “as you clock 80 today, I heartily rejoice with you and your family on behalf of the Government and people of Delta.

"Let me on behalf of our people commend you for the completion of the second Niger Bridge, an audacious project that was long overdue.

“Your administration has provided support to states and local governments through interventions and refunds to mitigate the myriad of economic challenges faced by the two tiers of government.

“As you celebrate this year’s anniversary, it is my prayer and that of Deltans that God will continue to grant you good health and wisdom to finish strong as your administration winds down.

“On this auspicious occasion, I join your family, friends and other Nigerians to thank Almighty God for granting you a life of great accomplishments and service to mankind.”

Okowa signs 2023 Appropriation Bill of N571.6bn

Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Friday in Asaba, signed the state’s 2023 Appropriation Bill of N571.64 billion.

The budget, which is the last to be signed by Okowa as Governor of the state, comprises N235.5 billion for recurrent expenditure and N336.1billion as capital expenditure.

The governor also signed assented to nine other Bills - The Delta State Manufacturing and Use of Cotonou Boats Bill, 2022; Delta State Public Finance Management Bill, 2022; Delta State HIV/AIDs Anti-discrimination, Prevention and Protection Bill, 2022; Delta State Waterways Tax, Control and Licensing of Boats (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, 2022.

Others are Delta State Forfeiture of Property Bill, 2022; Delta State Maternal and Perinatal Deaths Surveillance and Response Bill, 2020; Delta State Passenger Welfare Scheme Repeal Bill, 2022; Delta State Administrative Procedure Bill, 2022 and the Delta State Transportation Data Management Bill, 2022.

In his remarks after signing the Bills, Okowa assured Deltans that the state would strive to implement capital projects embedded in the 2023 Budget as well as endeavour to complete ongoing projects before the end of his tenure.

He commended the House of Assembly for its cooperation over the years, adding that his administration couldn't have achieved the much it did without the strong support of the Assembly and Deltans.

"To have found time to work through these bills in spite of the electoral campaigns shows that you have stayed committed to our people who voted you into office.

"We will continue to remember you in the course of history because a lot has been done over the past seven and half years during which we have truly impacted on our people.

"We could have done better if we had a better security because we need a secured country for us to be able to impact more meaningfully to the people.

"But under the circumstances we have found ourselves, working with our people we have delivered the dividends of democracy to the best of our ability.

"Until May 28, 2023, we will remain functional and continue to impact on the lives of our people, including the youths to make them get entrepreneurial skills that will ultimately make them self-reliant," Okowa stated.

On the other Bills signed into law, he said they would contribute to the socio-economic development of the state and thanked the lawnakers for their commitment to duty.

Presenting the Bills earlier, the Speaker of the Assembly, Chief Sherrif Oborevwori, said that the Bills went through all legislative process before being passed.

He expressed appreciation to the Governor and members of the House for their support and cooperation over the years he served as the longest serving Speaker of the House of Assembly.

"I wish to express our profound gratitude to you for the cordial working relationship and synergy existing between the House and the Executive.

"This has not only brought stability to the House but also prosperity to Deltans and development across the State.

"God has indeed been gracious to Delta State and the House of Assembly in particular. We have enjoyed peace and harmony which have resulted in the excellent working relationship among the members.

"As you remarked during the presentation of the 2023 Budget on the floor of the House that this is the last Budget you will be laying before the honourable House, this will also be the last Budget I will be presenting to His Excellency, the Governor for assent as a Speaker of the House of Assembly," Oborevwori stated.

https://businessday.ng/amp/news/article/okowa-signs-2023-appropriation-bill-of-n571-64bn/

PRESS RELEASE

14th December, 2022

THERE IS NO IMPUNITY IN DELTA PDP, WE ARE ONE FAMILY

The Delta State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has reiterated the fact that there is no impunity in the Party, and PDP is one big, united family as was demonstrated in the recently concluded and hugely successful, comprehensive Ward-to-Ward Campaigns across the 270 Wards in the State.

This affirmation was contained in a statement by Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, State Publicity Secretary of Delta State PDP, while reacting to several contrary opinions on the unity of the party, including an earlier Press Release titled: "THERE MUST BE AN END TO IMPUNITY IN PDP DELTA STATE", signed by Chief Barrister Aghwarianovwe Novwe Ikie (Solicitor of England and Wales/Barrister & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria).

Describing the Press Release as totally misleading, divisive, and an unnecessary diversion at a time when the party is fully settled and focused, after embarking on the well-received campaigns across the Wards and is now fully prepared and poised to commence its Local Government Campaigns for the 2023 elections, the Delta PDP Press Release reads:

"Our attention has been drawn to a totally misleading and divisive Press Release titled: 'THERE MUST BE AN END TO IMPUNITY IN PDP DELTA STATE', signed by Chief Barrister Aghwarianovwe Novwe Ikie (Solicitor of England and Wales/Barrister & Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria), an erstwhile PDP Governorship aspirant in our last primary election.

"While we are mindful of the fact that he has, by his own admission, already approached the Court over a completely different matter which has no bearing whatsoever on the internal affairs of our party, we hereby inform and assure Chief, Barrister Aghwarianovwe Novwe Ikie, that we are fully and unambiguously satisfied with the judgment of the Supreme Court on the authentic Governorship candidate of our party for the 2023 elections, and so do not wish to join issues with him, or anyone else, over some of the sensitive legal assumptions, as well as the other spurious and baseless allegations, he boldly asserted in his Press Release.

"However, as a very responsible and law-abiding political party, guided always by the provisions and tenets stipulated clearly in our party's Constitution, we want to state categorically that we take very strong exception to his statement that: 'The PDP State Party machinery rigged the process of “electing” these purported delegates in favour of the sitting Governor'. The Party ensured that no delegate election took place across the State. The Governor, through his lackeys, selected the entire 835 Delegates and wore the sham/illegal process, the garb of a legal election.'

"In the same vein, we would also commend Chief Ikie for highlighting the appropriate sections of our Electoral Guidelines and Constitution which were the grundnorm on which the elections of the 3-Man AD-HOC Delegates for the PDP Primaries were conducted.

"We are glad to note, without any prejudice whatsoever, that with the exception of a few infinitesimal complaints which were to be expected, since no system or human process is completely infallible, the congresses to elect our ad-hoc delegates was hugely successful across the Wards and LGAs in the State and were widely reported on all media platforms.

"Let us also remind Chief Barrister Aghwarianovwe Novwe Ikie and others who may still be nursing such hallucinations, that our Party's ad-hoc delegates were neither robots, puppets nor mannequins and since lobbying and competition for votes are two of the important hallmarks in a proper democratic contest, it is only natural that delegates will have choices, especially since our party provided a level playing field for all aspirants, who are qualified to contest at the primaries to have unhindered and unfettered access to all the delegates.

"We are proud to state without any equivocation that our Governorship Primary was not only free, fair, and transparent, it was also an exemplary reflection of what a proper democratic exercise, conducted in the true spirit of freedom of choice, where all aspirants got votes and since again, elections are about numbers, the aspirant with the highest number of votes emerged as the authentic candidate of our party by majority votes and was duly recognized as the Party's Guber flagbearer for the 2023 Elections.

"This point is incontrovertible and the fact that we conducted a free, fair, and transparent Governorship Primary has neither been challenged nor invalidated.

"It is against this crystal clear backdrop, complemented by the final and decisive Supreme Court pronouncement on the authentic Delta PDP Governorship Candidate, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, that we wonder with some interest at the motive(s) behind the statement and actions of Chief Barrister Aghwarianovwe Novwe Ikie and his ilk, which we see as diversionary, reactionary and aimed dubiously at creating an unnecessary diversion at this auspicious time when the party has fully settled and has set up the formidable structures for our comprehensive campaigns, which have already conducted and successfully delivered our Ward-to-Ward campaigns, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

"We deem it superfluous and quite gratuitous that someone who claims to have nursed the aspiration for the Governorship ticket of our great party, should exhibit such joyless, unenthusiastic acrimony at this time, when the clarion call of all true, loyal, and committed members of our party, fully buoyed by cheerful exhilaration of the Supreme Court Judgment, is that we should all come together as one family, united with the sense of purpose towards winning the 2023 general elections in a 5/5 clean sweep.

"Let us state explicitly and unconditionally that, as a political party which believes and upholds the sacrosanctity of the rule of law, we are always prepared to submit to due process in the adjudication of contentions, and it is in that light, that we acknowledge and respect the decision of Chief Barrister Aghwarianovwe Novwe Ikie.

"We will however not be deterred or discouraged in our strident call and appeal to all party members, irrespective of their dispositions, to come together, now that our road to victory in 2023, has become clearer and smoother with the Supreme Court Judgment and overwhelming success of our Ward-to-Ward Campaigns.

"We will not relent in our concerted efforts to continue to reach out to all our members with the simple, yet powerful message that we are one united family and we are stronger, more dominant, and persuasive in our quest for an all-round landslide victory, working together as one big happy family.

Delta is PDP and PDP is Delta.

PDP! Power to the People!!

Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza.
State Publicity Secretary,
PDP, Delta State, and
Deputy Director,
Media/Publicity Committee,
Delta PDP Campaign Council.

2023: Nigerians will rejoice again, Okowa assures

Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Wednesday assured Nigerians that they would rejoice again as the nation would overcome its present travails after 2023 general elections.

Okowa gave the assurance at the 2022 Annual Convention and Christmas Concert of Christ Holy Church International, Asaba, with "Immanuel" as theme, and urged Nigerians to pray to God who alone could turn situations around for the good of the people.

He said that the sufferings of today would definitely pass away and a new life would come for Nigerians, adding that "rather than grumble and blame people, spend the time to pray to our God because He alone can turn things around.

"But, God alone who had allowed us to pass through the last seven years there is a lesson to be learnt from this."

The governor, who took the only lesson of the occasion, said that the Christian faith was nourished daily by the word of God and expressed belief that the people were gathered to nourish their faith through the word of God.

"The convention is for us to be enriched such that when we leave for our various homes, we would have been assured that our lives have been affected positively.

"As Christians, we all know that God always want to be with us. But the question is, are we ready to be with God?

"The benefit of Christian life is to allow God to be with us and dwell in our lives and as children of faith we can do nothing without Jesus so we must struggle daily to abide in Jesus," he said.

The PDP Presidential running mate said that Nigeria was facing challenging times which required the people to go into self-retrospection.

He stated that a very challenging period was prevailing in the country and that people were wondering if this was the Nigeria of their dream.

Okowa said "this, certainly is not the Nigeria of our dream; so, what do we do in this time? It is to call on the name of our God to touch the lives of our people so that we will do His will.

"These are interesting times for politics and politicians because as we talk to the people it is only God that knows our hearts and He alone knows those He has prepared to lead at this time.

"Our people must be prayerful and watchful so that God will truly lead us as a church and as a people so that we don't act with the trauma of the times."

In his sermon, President, Christian Association of Nigeria and General Superintendent, Christ Holy Church International, Most Rev. Daniel Okoh, said that the theme of the convention, "Immanuel", was an assurance that God was always with the people.

He said that God did not abandon His creation, adding that Nigeria would not break because God was with the country.

"The coming election will not break Nigeria. As a matter of fact, 2023 is the year of golden opportunity for Nigeria. 2023 is year of opportunity to elect leaders who will turn around the fortunes of Nigeria.

"God has already chosen those who will lead the people come 2023 and since God is interested in the government and the economy of men, then the people should be involved because God will use people to turn things around for the country.

"Do not be afraid because we have God who dwells among us to chose our leaders and watch over them and to hold them accountable," the cleric stated.

The CAN President condemned those attacking INEC offices and urged Nigerians to be prepared to vote for the candidates of their choice to lead the country out of its present travails.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/12/2023-nigerians-will-rejoice-again-okowa-assures/amp/

Medical Officers’ Brain Drain: Okowa, Enabulele proffer solution

Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and President of World Medical Association, Dr Osahon Enabulele, have said that improvement on emolument and working environment would reverse the preponderance of brain-drain of medical personnel from the country.

They made this known in their separate remarks at the opening of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) National Executive Council Meeting and Leadership Retreat in Asaba, on Wednesday.

They expressed optimism that resolutions from the NEC meeting, with the theme "Doctors and Effective Leadership in the Health Sector" would also proffer more solutions to resolving the issue and others plaguing the medical profession and healthcare delivery.

Reacting to the request for replacement of medical workers who left for greener pastures abroad, Okowa said he had given approval to fill the vacancies.

According to him, it is painful that people are leaving the country due to poor conditions. We cannot stop them, but the vacancies created by such exits should be filled; I have given the approval that they should be replaced so that we don't over-labour those left behind.

"I have long given approval to the Commissioner for Health that all doctors and medical professionals who exits the services of the state should be replaced immediately.

"No doubt, the economic fortunes of a nation are closely intertwined with the status of the health of its people. But, to remain economically buoyant as a nation, we have to ensure that our health sector is not plagued with daunting challenges.

"Although we have achieved some milestones in health as a nation, the healthcare system of our country is beset with the current problem of brain-drain.

"It is worrisome that our medical doctors who are expected to provide care for those who are ill among us, are leaving the shores of our country in droves.

"I feel this is a very key issue facing us as a nation and we should look into ways of stemming this ugly tide as we will continue to lose our medical professionals to other countries abroad if urgent measures are not adopted.

"It is a national challenge, which demands the collective attention of all, and among other reasons, is especially the desire to earn more money. There are also some complaints about the working environment and inadequate equipment," he said.

Okowa said that his administration had built new hospitals and provided modern hospital equipment to meet with current realities.

"In Delta State, we have tried to tackle some of these challenges by carrying out extensive renovations of most of our health facilities in all the three tiers of government
across the State.


"In addition, we have largely replaced old, worn-out and obsolete medical equipment with new ones in virtually all the health facilities in the State.

"We have also built new hospitals; an example is Asaba Specialist Hospital, which is providing tertiary-level services in the State, including the Delta State University Teaching Hospital at Oghara. Others include the Advanced Diagnostics Medical Centre and Mother and Child Centre in Owa-Alero.

"Their medical equipment are state-of-the-art and these facilities will also serve as referral centres providing tertiary-level health services in the State and indeed, the entire country.

"They have been provided with all necessary amenities, including a very conducive environment and attractive working conditions for staff.

"I am proud to add that Delta State is one of the very few in the Federation to domesticate the Medical Residency Training Act of 2017 in all our health institutions where residency training is being done," he stated.

On his part, Dr Enabulele said that there was a need to have effective leadership that would address the myriad of issues confronting the health sector in the country.

He called for concerted efforts to address the issue of brain drain, saying "we must ensure that we walk the talk in terms of leadership."



Enabulele described Governor Okowa as an exemplar of good leadership, and wished that the medical profession and Nigeria had more persons like him.

Chairman of the occasion, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, recalled the role of the NMA in the past and urged them to wake up and contribute their best to rebuild the nation's health sector.

He commended Governor Okowa for his impact in the health sector of the state, especially with the state’s contributory health insurance scheme.

In his address, the President of the association, Dr. Uche Ojinmah, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government and some state governments, including Delta, for paying the new hazard allowance, adding that the Delta blazed the trail in paying the new allowance and many others.

Ojinmah called on other state governments in the country that were yet to commence payment of the allowance to do so to maintain industrial harmony in their health care sectors.

According to him, the quest for the long overdue upward review of CONMESS has been reinvigorated and shall not wane until the goal is achieved.



The NMA boss stressed that the grief of the long-suffering Nigerian doctor must meet a relief quickly to avert a total acquisition of escape velocity also known as 'Japa'.

He said the NMA was passing through a lot of turbulence as a result of loss of standards and derision of merit in the society, and urged members to be of good cheer in the discharge of their duties.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of NMA in Delta, Dr. Carter Okolakpa, had expressed appreciation to Governor Okowa for the immense support his administration had offered the association.

Okolakpa appealed to the governor to declare an emergency on the replacement of medical doctors and other healthcare workers who had left the service of the state.

This, he said, would reduce the stress the doctors and health workers were passing through due to manpower shortage.

In his remarks, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Chike Edozien, who was represented by Chief Chris Chukwurah, called for a strong leadership in the country that would address the challenges be-devilling all sectors of the nation, adding that the problem in the country was failure of government to implement well-articulated policies and programmes.

The Asagba, who is a medical doctor, wished participants fruitful deliberations.

During the ceremony, Prof. Clement Osime of the University of Benin, who delivered a lecture titled "Doctors and Effective Leadership in the Health Sector," stressed the need for medical practitioners to put in their best in the discharge of their duties.

He also tasked the medical doctors on leadership, saying it was important for them to be good leaders so as to be good mentors and motivators.

PRESS RELEASE

10TH DECEMBER, 2022

Delta APC: Life Cycle Of Lies, Illusion And Delusion

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State has dismissed as cant, the story by the camp of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) that claims falsely in its headline that “Crisis in Delta PDP, as party excos, unit leaders, canvassers, dumps (sic) party.”

While treating the online publication with disdain, PDP in a Press Release signed by the Deputy Director, Media and Publicity Committee, PDP Campaign Council, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza said that the claim that Delta State PDP is in crisis confirms the persistent disinformation embarked on by the clueless APC even in the face of strong contradictory evidence, proves the opposition party and those behind the propaganda as possessing symptom of a psychiatric condition.

It’s inconceivable that anyone, will against all caution imposed by the ambiance of peace and calm that pervades the PDP across Delta State prefer to live in delusion by claiming and wanting the good and right-thinking people of the State to believe the deception that “Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State has been thrown into further crisis as party executives, unit leaders, party canvassers.”

Urging Deltans to ignore the APC lies and figment of its imagination, PDP said there’s no iota of truth in the APC story, but propaganda with the intention to trick the unwary to believe something that does not correspond with the known and observable fact.

The observable fact is that PDP in Delta State is united; it is in peace and working hard collectively across the State to ensure that all its candidates across board win the 2023 elections with massive votes. The party that has just concluded the arduous runs when its campaign trains cruised through all the Wards in the State, selling its candidates and evangelizing for the people’s votes in an atmosphere that was devoid of rancour cannot be the same party that APC wants people to believe is a party in crisis.

Indeed, all the party leaders, chieftains, followers, and supporters received the campaign train with fanfare, turning the Ward campaigns into carnivals even as the candidates were introduced to the people on each occasion. Besides, many former members of the APC dumped the party, made bonfires of the broom, the party’s symbol, and were received into the PDP.

At the PDP Ward campaigns, APC was exposed and likened to the ‘expired bad drug” that Nigerians must avoid like the leper. It has even been said severally that those who will vote for APC will define the number of mad people in Nigeria. Is it the party with this type of profile and perception that Deltans want to go with?

It is no news, therefore, that APC is Nigeria’s Achilles heel, and has been rejected. In Delta State, our Governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is riding high, and with his M.O.R.E. agenda, he is set to deliver to Deltans a State where love, peace, prosperity for all is the principal focus.

PDP therefore, calls on Deltans to ignore the APC cycle of lies, illusion, and delusion.

PDP All-The-Way!

PDP! Power to the people!!


Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza.
Deputy Director,
Media/Publicity Committee,
Delta PDP Campaign Council and
State Publicity Secretary,
PDP, Delta State.

Why Nigerians will sack APC in 2023 - Delta PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State says it was optimistic Nigerians would vote out the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general elections because the country had retrogressed in all indices since they took over from the PDP in 2015.

Chairman of the PDP in Delta South Senatorial District, Chief Julius Takeme stated this while addressing party faithful at its ward-to-ward campaign rally at Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of the state.

He said that with rising hunger, poverty and insecurity in the country, Nigerians were desirous to send the ruling APC packing and urged members of the party to remain united ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The party boss said Nigerians have resolved to sack the APC on account of the negative change brought by the lacklustre President Muhammadu Buhari administration and usher in the experienced duo of PDP's Atiku Abubakar and Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to rescue, reset, rebuild and return the country to its glory days.

Also speaking, former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and member representing Isoko Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Leo Ogor commended the people for their support over the years and urged them to remain committed to the party.

He said that since 1999, the PDP in the state had laid good foundation for successive administrations to build on and called on the people to vote for all candidates of the party.

The federal lawmaker appealed to aggrieved members of the party to sheathe their sword and work assiduously for the party's victory.

The campaign train which also visited Oyede, Okpe-Isoko, Ofagbe and Ellu Wards, had in attendance former PDP National Vice Chairman, Elder Emmanuel Ogidi; member representing Warri Federal Constituency, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi; Senatorial candidate of the party Hon. Michael Diden; House of Representatives candidate Engr. Jonathan Ukodhiko; Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly Hon. Ferguson Onwo; the House of Assembly candidate, Barr. Bernard Odior.

Others include Commissioner for Energy, Chief Fred Obe, DESOPADEC Commissioner Dr Paul Oweh; Coordinator of the Isoko North PDP Campaign Council Dr Emmanuel Okoro, Chairman Isoko North Local Government Council, Hon. Christian Iteire and Chairman PDP Isoko North Chapter, Prince Godwin Ogorugba among others.

2023: Atiku, Okowa will resolve Nigeria’s challenges - Uduaghan

Former Delta Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has urged the people of the state to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential ticket of Atiku Abubakar and Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, saying the duo will rescue, reset and rebuild Nigeria from its current travails.

Addressing a mammoth crowd of party faithful at Owhelogbo, Isoko North Local Government Area of the state, Uduaghan said that for the first time in history, a Deltan would be Vice President of the country if the people vote for the party’s ticket.

The former governor called on the people to vote for all other candidates of the party from Sheriff Oborevwori for Governor, Michael Diden for Senate, Jonathan Ukodhiko for House of Representatives and Bernard Odior for House of Assembly.

"This is the first time we are having a Vice presidential candidate from our state, so I urge you all to vote Atiku-Okowa ticket so that our dear Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa will become the first Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from Delta State.

"Let's vote for all our PDP candidates because they are proven men and women of integrity and they have the capacity to resolve all our nation's challenges.

"My administration did a lot for Owhelogbo and other Isoko communities and l know the present Okowa administration is also doing a lot here, so if you vote PDP again you will get more," the former governor assured.

On his part, State Chairman of the party, Olorogun Kingsley Esiso said the people have every reason to vote out the APC led Federal Government because of the growing poverty, insecurity and economic downturn of the country.

Esiso said the people were tired of rising hunger and starvation and urged them to come out enmasse on election day to vote for all candidates of the party.

The campaign train which also visited Otor-Igho, Otor-Owhe, Emevor, Oghara-Iyede and Otor-Iyede had in attendance Delta South Chairman of the party, Chief Julius Takeme; Member Representing Warri Federal Constituency, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi.

Others are Commissioner for Energy, Chief Fred Obe; MD/CEO DESOPADEC, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, Commissioner DESOPADEC Dr Paul Oweh, Chairman Isoko North Local Government Council, Hon. Christian Iteire; Chairman Isoko North PDP Prince Godwin Ogorugba, Director-General isoko North PDP Campaign Council, Dr Emmanuel Okoro, among others.

Chief Joe Omene Exposes Real Omo-Agege, Describes Him As Greedy, Self-Centred, Betrayer, Worst Delta Politician Ever.

By Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza.

We have always known that Delta APC Gubernatorial candidate and Deputy Senate President, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, is not the sanctimonious, squeaky clean, Knight in shiny Armour saviour, his obsequious loyalists and some of those selected smiling photographs on social media and Google images portray.

But we had refrained from deconstructing him at a personal level since we are not a political party that succumbs to low, dirty personality propaganda and hoped that one day, someone very close to him would do us the favour of presenting him the way he really is.

Today, the chickens have finally come home to roost as Chief Joe Omene, a great leader, elder statesman, and former President General of the Urhobo Progressives Union, UPU, has literally exposed and derobed Omo-Agege, leaving him bare to tan in the harsh electoral harmattan season of Delta's political landscape.

A recent 6 minutes, 57 seconds trending video, posted on Social media by RERO TV, left no one in doubt about Omo-Agege, as High Chief Joe Omene, took the Deputy Senate President to the cleaners, in a caustic, unsympathetic, and forthrightly authoritative, sage-like baritone, which tore the reputation, personality and integrity of the Delta State APC Gubernatorial Candidate to shreds.

Hear him: "The Omo-Agege you're seeing, just think of any politician from Urhobo, he's the worst. He's a very greedy man, self-centred, and everyday, when I see him criticize Governor Okowa in the papers I just laugh. Assuming he becomes Governor, he will be far worse.

"He is also a betrayer. Just look at the people he started working with, he has betrayed all of them," the distinguished Urhobo leader declared.

This was just the first salvo in a steady six minutes profiling of Omo-Agege, which is better heard than reported, except to hint that Chief Omene went on to give a graphic and detailed commentary of how the Delta APC Guber candidate betrayed former Governor, Chief James Ibori, who brought him into Government from the United States and gave him top positions like SSG and Commissioner Special Duties, only to be betrayed because Omo-Agege did not get the Governorship ticket.

Chief Omene revealed how Omo-Agege betrayed Chief Great Ogboru, who was instrumental in ensuring the two Senate tenures he's now enjoying and even the UPU, which stood as guarantor for his Senatorial ambition as Deputy Senate President, only for him to deviously embark on a divide and rule regime as the highest political office holder in Delta Central and Urhoboland, in order to exploit the division in Delta Central political structure, for his own selfish ambition.

He even called those who endorsed him for the position of Deputy Senate President "insurgents", after he had secured the position. Hear Chief Omene again: "We endorsed him without any preconditions and even wrote to President Buhari as the umbrella body of Urhobo ethnic nation, but he later called us insurgents after he had got the position.

"He called us insurgents, but when we were endorsing him we were not insurgents o. After endorsing him and getting what he wants we became insurgents. How can a lawyer say something like that about people who were in Court? It's not proper for a lawyer."

Shedding light on Omo-Agege's clannish development agenda, Chief Omene had this to say: "You're the Senate President (sic). As the (Deputy) Senate President he brought Law School, where did he site it? Orogun! He brought Polytechnic, where did he site it? Orogun! He brought so many other things, where did he site them? Orogun! He didn't site anyone in any other part of Urhoboland. No ooo.

"That will tell you the kind of person he will be, assuming some people vote for him foolishly to become Governor. He does not have the overall interest of Urhobo," the great Urhobo elder statesman said unflinchingly.

Delta PDP has never had any doubts about the Chameleonic nature of Ovie Omo-Agege. He was once a member of our great party and the circumstances under which he left the party were less than noble, disturbingly dishonourable, acrimoniously petty, and uncharitably rancourous, as he fermented all manner of disharmony within party ranks in his selfish quest to overturn an already accepted zoning arrangement, because of his "emi lo kan" mentality, just like his Presidential candidate in APC.

Chief Joe Omene has done Deltans a great service by exposing the real Ovie Omo-Agege to the world and we are quite gratified by this honest revelation. We have also been vindicated in our unwavering position that even in his own community and so-called stronghold, Ovie Omo-Agege already has major trust, personality, and integrity issues and the initial effervescence of his emergence which is fast fading, will continue to dissipate and evaporate rapidly, as the 2023 election draws ever closer.

© Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza is the State Publicity Secretary, PDP, Delta State & Deputy Director, Media, and Publicity Committee, PDP Campaign Council.

PRESS RELEASE

5th December, 2022

TONY NWAKA'S JOURNEY IN VAINGLORY AND PRIDE THAT PRECEDES THE FALL

The attention of the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council has been called to the effusions by one Tony Nwaka, Ph.D, the candidate of the feeble and futile All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking to represent the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal constituency in the House of Representatives in 2023.

A statement by Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, Deputy Director, Media, and Publicity Committee, Delta State PDP Campaign Council stated that the party would have ignored the childishly silly and excessive boastfulness of Tony Nwaka about his personal abilities and achievements, but thought it necessary to respond for the sake of those who may have been taken in by the error and false presentation.

The intervention is also to deflate the puerile assertions and invectives thrown against the person of Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, the effective Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, the pride of Aniocha/Oshimili and PDP in the Green Chambers, and the party’s candidate for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in the 2023 elections.

It is important to let Tony Nwaka know that nobody is against his right to seek to contest for the election to represent the people of Aniocha/Oshimili in the House of Representatives. Of course, he is already the candidate of the lackluster and wicked APC, otherwise referred to as the proverbial ‘Bad Drug” that has thrown this nation into negativities in all ramifications from which the PDP seeks to rescue and reset Nigeria. But we ask him to go out there and campaign, rather than indulge in an exercise of vainglory, deceptively woven to goodwill the people.

The Delta PDP calls on Tony Nwaka to back down from his high horse of futile academic exercise that is not a prerequisite for winning elections. It is mindless of him to want to destroy Ndudi Elumelu, whose good works remain sweet-smelling savour before the good people of Aniocha/Oshimili by pandering to base and irresponsible sentiments.

Which ideas does Tony Nwaka of APC have that he wants to offer? Is it the idea of one from a political party that has been acknowledged by Nigerians and Deltans in particular, as a party of liars and political deceits? Or is it an idea of one from a political party that has set Nigeria on a downward spin? Where was Tony Nwaka when his ruling party unsettled the good people of Nigeria by afflicting them with poverty, so much so that the nation has now become the poverty capital of the world? Through unmitigated cluelessness, the economic prosperity of Nigeria has been thrown overboard by the APC Federal Government, and here is someone claiming he has ideas to give to the people of Aniocha/Oshimili when he could not give his ill-informed party the idea to stimulate this country and put her on the path of economic growth?

Let’s ask Tony Nwaka what idea has he given to his ruling party to ease the insecurity situation in the country, as well as make the farms less harmful a place to go to by farmers?

Nigerians have rejected APC and all its candidates, beginning with the sick Presidential candidate, Tony Nwaka for their cluelessness. So, have the good people of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency rejected Tony Nwaka.

For the good people of Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, the PDP candidate for the 2023 election, like the good wine, he does not need to be bushed. His antecedents in good representation over the years, with tangible and verifiable results speaks volumes about his acceptability by the people.

Tony Nwaka should not seek to hypnotize the people with his unproductive sweet tongue; we challenge him to go to the polls, where Ndudi Elumelu, his Achilles' heel is waiting to give him a resounding defeat and fall.

PDP! Power to the people!!

Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza.
Deputy Director/Secretary,
Media and Publicity Committee,
Delta State PDP Campaign Council.

Oborevwori attends UPU Annual Thanksgiving Service, Ese Gam becomes Union PG.

By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe

Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, was among illustrious sons and daughters of Urhobo nation who attended the annual thanksgiving service of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, on Sunday at Urhobo House, Uvbiamuge in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

While exchanging pleasantries with the new President General of the apex sociocultural organisation, Chief Barr Ese Gam, Oborevwori congratulated him and his executives.

Delivering his homily, Archbishop Goddowell Avwomakpa of Christ Missionaries Crusaders Church, appealed to all sons and daughters of Urhobo nation, home and abroad, to be united and work for the attainment of Urhobo common interests at all times.

He noted that for Urhobo to make significant progress, all hands must be on deck to keep alive the great vision of the founding fathers of Urhobo Progress Union.

The highly respected Clergy urged the new leadership of UPU to ask God for Wisdom, so as to excell in their assigned responsibilities, noting that Urhobo nation is gradually waxing cold because of disunity among leaders.

He appealed to UPU PG, Chief Barr Ese Gam and his executives to work very hard to place Urhobo nation in her proper position in state, national and international scheme of things.

"Urhobo need to do more to become powerful politically, relevant in business and other aspects of human endeavours. We need more successful Urhobo sons and daughters to make us occupy the right position in the nation's affairs.

"We must put away bitterness and rancour from amongst us and be focused on our collective goals for the greatness and advancement of Urhobo nation. There is the need to raise new and successful leaders, and the time is now.

"The first thing for us to do is to draw nearer to God, and cast our cares upon Him, because He alone can direct us alright to accomplish individual and collective goals.

"I Congratulate the new executives of UPU, especially our President General, Chief Barr Ese Gam. Let's support him and the new team to succeed," Awomakpa said

UPU PG, Barr Gam assured Urhobo nation that he will immediately hit the ground running, reconcile all aggrieved parties, focus on goals of his administration and to raise the stake higher for Urhobo nation.

"There is so much work to be done and I need the assistance and cooperation of our traditional rulers, well meaning Urhobo sons and daughters, home and abroad, to succeed.

"On my part, I will ensure purposeful leadership devoid of acrimony. We are brothers and sisters, and it's important that we focus on the development and socioeconomic advancement of Urhobo nation at all times," Gam Said.

Personalities in attendance includes; the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the incoming governor of Delta State and Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, Delta Central Senatorial candidate of PDP, Senator Chief Ighoyota Amori, immediate past President General of UPU, Chief Moses Taiga, Olorogun Goddie Ibru, royal fathers, clergyman and people from all walks of life.

UDUAGHAN HOSTS BURUTU PDP

His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON, the Immediate Past Governor of Delta and Chieftain of the party earlier today hosted leaders and party faithful from Burutu LGA at his GRA Warri residence as part of his peace move to reconcile aggrieved members of the PDP ahead of the 2023 general elections.

While addressing the gathering Dr. Uduaghan used his humble political journey as an illustration that God can pick anybody despite our preferences to fill in any position. He agreed that qualification can give an advantage but it is not the only determinant because all power belongs to God.

Admittedly, the former Governor said it is always painful when one loses a contest but the reality is that there are always winners and losers in every contest. He maintained that the attitude of the winners can make all the differences - either preventing people from leaving a party or further causing polarization as is evident in the many fallouts from the party primaries. But he assured that before the elections, the big PDP family will be united because there has been progress in the peace moves across the state.

He tasked all those who clinched party tickets across all levels to reach out to their opponents, admonishing that a simple phone call or visit will calm aggrieved hearts because everyone spent money.

The leader of Delta South also used the opportunity to appeal to all those aggrieved not to leave or work against the party assuring that the position might reach them in the next contest because politics is a very slippery venture.

L. Monoyo Edon,
Media Assistant to His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON

2023: Don't be deceived by fake promises, Okowa tells Nigerians

Vice-Presidential Candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has called on Nigerians to be prayerful and watchful in order not to be swayed by politicians with fake promises.

He said that with the 2023 general elections a few months away, some politicians had started making empty and unrealistic promises to Nigerians as was the case in 2015.

Okowa made the call at the Thanksgiving Service to mark the end of the Annual Convention of Pasture of Life Ministries International, Asaba.

He said that the task to rebuild Nigeria was herculean, but pointed out that many people aspiring to lead the country did not understand the enormity of the problem facing the nation.

According to him, the times we are in Nigeria is very difficult and many persons want to make it look like its very easy to rebuild Nigeria, that will be deceitful of any man to say so.

"We were deceived in 2015 at the campaigns because promises were made in such a manner that people said let's drive out Jonathan’s and the APC came into government and we are where we are today.

"Here again people are beginning to its easy to fix Nigeria in 6 months but when you have not been in governance you will not understand exactly what the situation is and for somebody who says it's easy to fix Nigeria, it means the person does not even know the depth of the problem of Nigeria as at today,"

The PDP Presidential running mate said a lot of work needs to be done, adding that it requires the collective responsibility of every citizen to turn things around for the country.

"There is a lot of work to be done, and it requires great leadership and followership to work together to fix this country.

"It requires the collective efforts of our fathers and mothers but it also requires a lot of our youths to work together because people who don't understand the workings of governance can easily be deceived.

"We must seek the face of God, we must ask God prayerfully to allow His will to be done for this nation. So, we must all arise and pray that the will of God be in this nation so that we are not deceived again like we were deceived in 2015," he added.

Okowa further said Nigeria had never been so indebted like it is now saying, "the level of debt that we are in now in this country, we have never seen it before since 1999.

"All l ask is that our youths should shine their eyes, pray, don't be deceived again. Some people who told us that the naira and the dollar will become equal were deceitful.

"There are somethings that they will tell you and you will know that it is not possible because you have knowledgeable mind and you are educated.

"So, let us not just accept everything that people say, let us be cautious and prayerful and the Lord will truly guide us as a nation.

"As to whether Nigeria will return back to glorious days and surpass, yes it will; will it take time? yes also. We need to be prayerful," Okowa stated.

Guest Preacher Bishop Emmah Isong of Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI), Calabar, in his sermon "Them that love God" told Christians not to struggle to make it in life but just love God for all things work together for good to them that love God.

He urged Christians to love God and always pray for the nation in all they do and God will always show up in their lives, stressing that, "when you love God stumbling blocks put on the way against you will become stepping stones for you," Bishop Isong said.

Welcoming guests earlier, Presiding Bishop of Pasture of Life International, Bishop Jude Akhere had thanked the Governor for his immense contributions to the growth and development of the state.

He said he had lived in Asaba for 36 years and knew what the city looked like before the Okowa administration came on board.

He described Okowa as a governor with determination to change the status of Asaba capital city with several projects including Stephen Keshi Stadium; Professor Chike Edozien Secretariat; Maryam Babangida Way; DLA Road; Koka Flyover and Interchange
Asaba Storm Water Drainage; Okpanam Road; Asaba Leisure Park and Film Village.

Bishop Akhere also lauded the Governor for the establishment of three new universities, widow's monthly payment; Youth Empowerment Programmes; Contributory Health Insurance as well as free health care for children under 5 and pregnant women had contributed immensely to the reduction maternal mortality in the state.

Okowa mourns Delta-born gospel singer, Sammie Okposo

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has commiserated with the Okposo family and people of Isoko in the state over the passing of renowned gospel singer, Sammie Okposo.

The late Okposo hailed from Ivori-Irri, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta. He reportedly passed on in the morning of Nov. 25, in Lagos. He was 51.

Okowa, in the condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, expressed sadness over the passing of the "Wellu Wellu" crooner, saying that it was a big loss to the deceased's family, Deltans and lovers of gospel music across the world.

According to him, the passing of the popular gospel artiste is a big blow to music lovers, his family, Ivori-Irri community and Isoko nation, considering his immense talent and outstanding contributions to the growth of gospel music locally and globally.

The governor described the late Okposo as a "gentleman gospel artiste", who contributed to the growth and development of modern entertainment industry in Nigeria.

He said that as one of the scions of the gospel genre of the music industry, Okposo would be greatly missed by his colleagues and fans.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of an illustrious son of our state and a great minister in gospel music.

“The news of his death was shocking and it is indeed, a great loss because he was a valued asset to Deltans and Nigerians, especially as his songs continue to inspire many to worship God," he said.

Okowa prayed to God to accept the deceased’s soul and grant fortitude to the family and friends to bear his exit.

Ukodhiko’s pedigree, proof of capacity to represent Isoko Federal Constituency

By Ajiri-Oghene Oreh

As we go into the polls in 2023, what should be criterion for voting our next representatives for the next four years should be the personal pedigree, antecedent as proof or evidence of the candidates’ capacities to deliver on the mandate to be given to them.

Universally, the legislature is the powerhouse of democracy. Here in Nigeria, the National Assembly (NASS) remains the most critical arm of government. Many have come to see the National Assembly has the best training ground for the enthronement of purposeful leadership.

With the people of personal accomplishments and capacities contesting for seats in the National Assembly through various political parties in various states of the Federation, it is obvious, to say, the next Assembly will be robust, marked by robust legislative delivery and responsive representation to the people.

At this critical time in our nation’s political history, Isoko can’t afford to send a charlatan or a pretender with no personal pedigree, antecedent to the National Assembly. Yes, We must be cognizant of the fact, good governance or representation are not in words or mere political promises but in actions.

We must critically think and consciously look less on mere promises and money been doled out and, think more and look well of people who have the requisite personal pedigree, antecedent in both the public and private sectors having the capacity to give, not only good representation but bring the desired dividends of democracy to us all.

The Isoko ethnic nationality has always been known for sending men and women who have personal pedigree, antecedent, and who are vibrant with strong character as representatives in the National Assembly, be it in the Federal House of Representatives, or in the Senate as represented by Stella Omu

Thus, I make bold to say that, the House of Representatives Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Isoko Federal Constituency, Pastor Engr. Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko stands out as the best amongst those who are contesting the Isoko Federal Seat in Abuja.

The reason is not far-fetched as he has the pedigree and antecedent. For more than two decades, he has been a successful businessman and investor with global exposure, reach and contacts. He runs successful companies in the oil and gas , construction and real estate sectors, both at home and in the diaspora under the parent-body of Joeny Holdings Ltd which has employed hundreds of youths including those from Isoko extraction.

Ukodhiko’s pedigree is not in doubt, so also, his antecedent both in the public service and in the private sector. As a civil commissioner in Delta State, he used the position to serve his people and help in realising their manifold aspirations. He was a Commissioner and member of the Delta State Executive Council for 8months! And his record of public service shows he saw to the socio-economic empowerment of the people. Whether in his capacity as a Civil Commissioner or as businessman, he did his utmost best to protect, advance and promote the overall Isoko interest.

There are no doubts, Ukodhiko foray into politics is simply to improve the welfare of his people of Isoko Federal Constituency, and the overwhelming calls, the massive supports and mass mobilization of the people for him to go the House of Representatives are motivated by their recall of his sterling performance during his days in government, and his pedigree, antecedent and multiple competencies in the business world.

Ukodhiko an ordained pastor with shepherding thousands of worshippers, is well mannered and Highly disciplined with good values. Well educated and knowledgeable, he is at home with the power that be as much as he is very comfortable with the teeming constituents in Isoko, having a good understanding of the challenges faced by the people.

Ukodhiko is a humanist in politics. His political vision rests on an ideology that is people centered, and it is to the people of Isoko he has made an unbreakable pledge to, to address the challenges and plights of the people through bills, motions and projects and holistic programmes.

With Engr. Jonathan Ukodhiko of the PDP in the House of Representatives, every parts of the Isoko Federal Constituency will witness transformation, and the people will be empowered to grow. Let’s think, support and vote for the man, Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko of pedigree, who has the capacity to represent us of Isoko Federal Constituency well in the House of Representatives!

*Oreh writes from Otibio Ward 13 in Isoko North LGA

Deltans Won’t Fall For Your Cheap Lies, Propaganda , Okowa To Omo-Agege

DELTA State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has said that the people of the state were too enlightened and exposed to fall for the cheap lies and propa­ganda being deployed by the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

Speaking at a news conference in Asaba, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, said that rather than avail Deltans with his manifesto, Omo-Agege had engaged in lies to deceive Deltans, but warned that the people were very discerning and would not fall for the calumny against the governor and the State Government.

Mr. Ifeajika said that Okowa never be­trayed Southern Nigeria in becoming the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Omo-Agege was maliciously peddling.

According to him, after the emergence of the presidential candidate of the party from the North, it was automatic that his running mate will come from the South, and for this, Okowa was found worthy to be selected hav­ing met the criteria set by the Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

He lampooned the Deputy President of the Senate, Omo-Agege, for his allegations that nothing worthwhile was done in the state with monies received over the years, disclosing that in his (Omo-Agege’s) Orogun community alone, the state government executed five important road projects.

“Across his Ughelli North Local Government Area, we have executed no fewer than 20 projects and across his Senatorial District, no fewer than 88 projects have been executed by the Okowa administration.

“Let him tell Deltans what he has achieved from the Federal Government where he sits as the second-in-command at the Senate. “It is on record that the Senate where he is a prominent member has been adjudged the worst since the fourth Republic began.

“It is this same National Assembly where he presides over that watched haplessly as President Muhammadu Buhari took our debt stock to over N60 trillion. Most times, the President collected loans, which he has continued to do almost monthly, without recourse to the Senate, in blatant contravention of the law.

“The injury inflicted on Nigerians by the APC through its maladministration in the country is fresh and tough on the people, yet the party is shamelessly campaigning for another chance to lead,’’ he said. On the issues raised by the APC’s Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu and former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, at the party’s rally in Warri on Saturday, the governor’s spokesman said “we will not join issues with Bola Tinubu and Adams Oshiomhole; they should first clear themselves on issues of identity and scandals before casting aspersions on Okowa, a man with sterling credentials.

“But we are not surprised at the way both men spoke at the rally, because in APC, lying and abusing people are in their DNA and the reason is obvious frustration.’’

He said work on some of the legacy projects of Governor Okowa’s administration was still ongoing in spite of the delay in accessing the bridging finance the government sought, adding, however, that “when we finally accessed N30 billion out of it, the governor, in his transparent culture, personally disclosed it to the media.

“So, we have nothing to hide here in Delta. That is the much that the State Government has collected from the bridging finance it sought and which some persons, including Omo- Agege, had ignorantly dubbed as loan of N150 billion and have continued to peddle it.”

He said that Oshiomhole, who was sacked as national chair­man of the APC by chairman of his Ward in Edo State, was suf­fering from frustration, especially after the defeats he suffered in all his battles in Edo, the worst being when he tried to stop Governor Godwin Obaseki from getting a second term.

“Hundreds of Oshiomholes and Tinubus couldn’t do any­thing about the battle. They lost it and it is the same way they will again lose to better option of Atiku-Okowa and the PDP,’’ Ifeajika added.

DELTA 2023: Sheriff Oborevwori and The New Deal

By Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza.

There is widespread excitement among the people of Delta State right now. The excitement has enveloped a good majority of the people in anticipation of what is really people’s moment come 2023. One man who has become a phenomenon is behind this exciting wind of anticipation. That man, the man of the moment and perhaps for all times, is Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, present speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and the Delta State Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigeria’s longest-surviving and most resilient political party ever, Africa’s largest political party and most pro-people organization.

Rt. Hon. Oborevwori did not emerge by happenstance. He has been on the political scene and undergone tutelage under three Governors in Delta State. He also has the rare privilege of legislative and executive experience and has over the years seen politics as a tool for constructively reshaping humanity and making life better for the people. This vision has not only evolved, but has become concrete as seen in his emergence as the PDP Governorship candidate of Delta State at a free and fair primary election.

Evolving with this man of destiny is the concept known as Sheriffication which has become an ideology and a movement in Delta State. Anywhere, everywhere and wherever you turn the agreement among the people, young and old, men and women is that Delta State has been Sheriffied. To be Sheriffied is to believe and embrace the idea of Sheriff Oborevwori becoming Governor of Delta State in 2023 and the concept is Sheriffication.

While the majority of Deltans hailed Oborevwori’s entry into the Governorship race with excitement, a small clique was displeased with what they considered Oborevwori’s near underprivileged background. This clique tried to discredit Oborevwori. They cast aspersions on him and questioned his academic achievements.

There were litigations intended to undo him and thwart the wish of the people for him to become their Governor. Good enough the litigations failed and the people’s desire to have Oborevwori as their Governor is gathering momentum. In a few months from now, the people will affirm him as the Governor of Delta State through the ballot. They will witness and celebrate his swearing-in and inauguration as Governor in May 2023.

The emergence of Oborevwori has a populist push to it. He came from among the people in every sense of the word. While some say that he came from the streets, they forget to see the streets as representing the true and real essence of the people. The street is where the people are and democracy is about the people.

The streets see Oborevwori as their own and he is very high on street credibility. He was born among the people, he grew up among them, lives with them and he knows their ways, their problems, their hopes, and aspirations. In him are the strategies with which to free the people from want, lack and set them on a pedestal for the new deal he is bringing to the table. Oborevwori is undoubtedly the ideal people’s politician and leader. His populist ideas and goals are unquestionably remarkable and unsurpassable.

The new deal Oborevwori is offering to Deltans is embodied in his manifesto aptly titled M.O.R.E. The acronym is symbolic because it recognizes that so much has been done in Delta State, but he is set to do MORE and take the State and people to the frontiers of the emergent New World order. The driving indices of MORE are Meaningful development, Opportunities for all, Realistic reforms, and Enhanced peace and security. Reading and evaluating the MORE agenda will reveal that Oborevwori has a deep understanding of what the development aspirations of Delta State are. Every Nation, every State is a work in progress always confronted by problems which right-thinking leaders who bear the burden of their people, like Oborevwori now does, are always desirous of remedying. The manifesto depicts Oborevwori as highly pro-people. MORE is the people’s agenda and in it, Oborevwori enunciates a new deal that will turn the State around for good.

The MORE agenda seeks to reposition Delta State and her people by engaging the core indices of modern development. Such indices under Meaningful development include education, energy, healthcare, physical infrastructure such as roads, transportation, housing, and new cities, rural development, urban regeneration, etc. The foci under Opportunities for all are employment and wealth creation, agricultural productivity, industrialization, ICT, sports, and creative enterprise. Realistic reforms will harness policies and programmes of Government for the good of the people, while peace and security will create an enabling environment for investment and social co-existence for all Deltans and other Nigerians and foreigners. Oborevwori deliberately deemphasizes the reliance on crude oil in articulating his development agenda. His dream of greatness and rebirth for Delta rests on her human capital and agricultural resources which are to be galvanized by education, energy, ICT, and industrialization.

Rt. Hon. Oborevwori, despite the tendency for political opponents to undermine his educational attainments, holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees in Political Science from two of Nigeria’s prestigious Universities. Thus Oborevwori is well-grounded in the theory and practice of politics. Besides his towering educational attainments, Oborevwori has also undergone political leadership and managerial trainings in some of the best educational institutions in the world to reinforce his hands-on engagement in practical politics.

The truth is that all of those who undermine Oborevwori lack his capacity in every imaginable parameter. Among the qualification and experience reinforcing his competence and capacity are: Certificate in Top Executive Leadership Programme, Manchester Business School, United Kingdom; Certificate in Legislative Framework for Budget Management, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, United States of America; Certificate in Legislative Management and Leadership, International Law Institute, Washington DC, United States of America; Certificate in Leading Inclusive Development, London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom; Certificate in Advanced Leadership Programme, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; among others.

It is doubtful if any other Nigerian politician has such a formidable attainment in the acquisition of knowledge of modern governance. This is the cumulative knowledge and experience that proposed the new deal for Delta State and her people. The new deal is in MORE as envisioned and articulated by Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

© Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza is the Deputy Director of, the Media and Publicity Committee, Delta State PDP Campaign Council.

2023: Okowa to Omo-Agege, Deltans won't fall for your cheap lies

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Monday said the people of the state were too enlightened and exposed to fall for the cheap lies and propaganda being deployed by the Governorship Candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

Speaking at a news conference in Asaba, Chief Press Secretary to Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said that rather than avail Deltans with his manifesto, Omo-Agege had engaged in lies to deceive Deltans, but warned that the people were very discerning and would not fall for the calumny against the governor and the State Government.

He said that Okowa never betrayed South Nigeria in becoming the vice-presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Omo-Agege was maliciously peddling.

According to him, after the emergence of the presidential candidate of the party from the North, it was automatic that his running mate will come from the South, and for this, Okowa was found worthy to be selected having met the criteria set by the Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

He lampooned the Deputy President of the Senate, Omo-Agege, on his allegations that nothing was done in the state with monies received over the years, disclosing that in his (Omo-Agege’s) Orogun community alone, the state government executed five important road projects.

"Across his Ughelli North Local Government Area, we have executed no fewer than 20 projects and across his Senatorial District, no fewer than 88 projects have been executed by the Okowa administration.

"Let him tell Deltans what he has achieved from the Federal Government where he sits as the second-in-command at the Senate.

"It is on record that the Senate where he is a prominent member has been adjudged the worst since the fourth Republic began.

"It is this same National Assembly where he presides over that watched haplessly as President Muhammadu Buhari took our debt stock to over N60 trillion. Most times, the President collected loans, which he has continued to do almost monthly, without recourse to the Senate, in blatant contravention of the law.

"The injury inflicted on Nigerians by the APC through its maladministration in the country is fresh and tough on the people, yet the party is shamelessly campaigning for another chance to lead,’’ he said.

On the issues raised by APC’s Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu and former Governor of Edo, Adams Oshiomhole, at the party’s rally in Warri on Saturday, the governor’s spokesman said "we will not join issues with Bola Tinubu and Adams Oshiomhole; they should first clear themselves on issues of identity and scandals before casting aspersions on Okowa, a man with sterling credentials.

``But, we are not surprised at the way both men spoke at the rally, because in APC, lying and abusing people are in their DNA. And, the reason is obvious frustration.’’

He said work on some of the legacy projects of Governor Okowa’s administration was still ongoing in spite of the delay in accessing the bridging finance the government sought, adding, however, that "when we finally accessed N30 billion out of it, the governor, in his transparent culture, personally disclosed it to the media.

``So, we have nothing to hide here in Delta. That is the much that the State Government has collected from the bridging finance it sought and which some persons, including Omo-Agege, had ignorantly dubbed as loan of N150 billion and have continued to peddle it."

He said that Oshiomhole, who was sacked as national chairman of APC by chairman of his Ward in Edo, was suffering from frustration, especially after the defeats he suffered in all his battles in Edo, the worst being when he tried to stop Governor Godwin Obaseki from getting a second term.

``Hundreds of Oshiomholes and Tinubus couldn’t do anything about the battle. They lost it and it is the same way they will again lose to better option of Atiku-Okowa and the PDP,’’ Ifeajika added

13% Derivation: Okowa’s govt transparent, accountable

Delta Government on Monday debunked media reports credited to a governor of a South South state that it had collected refunds from the Federal Government without disclosing it to citizens, saying it had remained committed to transparency and accountability in all its financial dealings on behalf of the people.

The Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije, made this known at a news conference in Asaba, while addressing the issues of 13 per cent derivation arrears payment to oil-producing states raised by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers at the weekend.

Tilije, who was in company with Commissioner for Special Projects, Chief Henry Sakpra and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said contrary to the ``revelation’’ by Wike, Delta had only received N14.7 billion in three quarterly installments of N4.9 billion each.

According to him, the total amount due to the State from the 13 per cent derivation arrears is N240bn out of which the Federal Government agreed to pay in quarterly installment for a period of five years.

"With the agreed amounts settled, some states like Rivers approached commercial banks and discounted theirs in full and collected, but Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa said he would not want to leave the next administration with a huge debt burden.

"He resorted to discounting only N150 billion out of the N240 billion expected receivables but later pruned it down to N100 billion.

"So far, we have got N14.7 billion in three quarterly installments and we have also accessed N30 billion out of the N100 billion we applied for as bridging finance," he explained.

The commissioner stated that contrary to the impression given by Wike that previous administrations in the country refused to pay the money to the oil-producing states, the discovery of the outstanding funds was made by current commissioners for finance in the Niger Delta states.

"The present Commissioners for Finance of the nine Niger Delta states looked into the books of the NNPC and discovered that 13 per cent derivation was not deducted from subsidy payments and investments in priority projects by the Corporation.

"We took the matter before the FAAC and National Economic Council and got them to approve the payment in arrears to the affected oil-producing states.

"It is important to state that this was only discovered under the Buhari administration, which he subsequently approved. It is not that previous PDP administrations refused to pay. It was never discovered then neither was it brought to their notice," he said.

Tilije also denied claims by former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, that the state government received over N60 billion on refunds for federal roads projects executed by the state.

Ovie Omo-Agege and His Crass Vituperations

By Jackson Ekwugum

November 21, 2022

Over the weekend, the good people of Delta State and, indeed, many Nigerians were assaulted with the vile propaganda that is the stock-in-trade of the All Progressives Congress. Addressing a press conference, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the APC governorship candidate for Delta State launched a tirade against the Governor of Delta State and PDP Vice-Presidential Candidate, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as well as Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, the PDP governorship candidate. The entire statement and his comments during the APC Presidential rally in Warri were riddled with fallacies, distortions, outright lies, unsubstantiated claims, and deliberate misinformation. They were served on a platter of malice with an unmistakable diabolical intent to spread disaffection and foment disunity among the good people of Delta State.

The APC Presidential rally in Warri was nothing but a failed attempt to divert attention from their monumental failure at the centre. The APC rode into power in 2015 promising to fight insecurity, corruption, and improve the economy. Nigerians, including APC members, know that on all three counts, the APC-led Federal Government has been an unmitigated disaster. Nigeria has never been more insecure than it is today. Corruption has grown wings under the APC, and the economy has hit rock bottom. Today, the naira is exchanging for N800 to a dollar as against their promise to make one naira equal to a dollar. Our external debt now stands at a staggering $40 billion as at the second quarter of this year, no thanks to the rubber stamp Senate where Omo-Agege is Deputy President.

Instead of apologizing to Nigerians for the pain and suffering they have been subjected to under their misrule, Omo-Agege and his band of political opportunists are busy reeling out phantom figures in a futile bid to confuse and deceive them. The length and breadth of the country are littered with failing and failed federal roads, including Agbor-Abraka-Eku Road and Warri-Sapele-Benin road, which makes you wonder what the loans were used for. It is shameful that Omo-Agege as Deputy Senate President could not prevail on the federal government to rehabilitate these roads that have remained a nightmare to motorists. The same scenario applies to the sea ports, which is the sole responsibility of the Federal Government. After almost years, is it now that the APC realised that the Warri Sea Port is not functional?

Omo-Agege and his co-travellers continue to deviously push the false narrative of financial profligacy in Delta State. The truth of the matter is that we have over N320bn in receivables including the N292bn refund by FAAC as part of illegal deductions before the payment of the 13% derivation. The Federal Government promised to pay in equal instalments of N13b over a period of five years. This compelled the government to request a drawdown of N150bn under receivable discounting which lingered until recently when 30bn was drawn. It is instructive to note that it was Governor Okowa who broke the news to Deltans and informed them that N25b has been channelled to ongoing projects while N5b was deployed to defray outstanding pension liabilities. Talk about openness and transparency!

The Okowa administration has judiciously utilized every money that it has received either from FAAC or IGR. Completed and ongoing road projects in the state number 883 covering a total length of 1, 932.14 kilometres while drainage channels have a cumulative length of 1,035.95 kilometres. Because Omo-Agege’s idea of politics and development begins and ends with his native Orogun, he does not know that it was Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo who commissioned the flagship 20.28km Obotobo I – Obotobo II – Sokebolou–Yokri – Road in Burutu local government area. Riverine communities like Burutu, Oporoza, Okerenkoko, and Benekrukru have been given a facelift with road infrastructure of the most vital interest and consequence by the Okowa administration.

Six bridges have been completed while an additional 15, including the Koka Flyover and Interchange on Benin Asaba Expressway, are at various stages of construction. The ultra-modern Central Secretariat Complex, an architectural masterpiece that was, again, commissioned by Vice-president Osinbajo, and the Ogheye Floating Market are two other signature projects of the administration. Meanwhile, three new universities have been established while nine new model technical colleges are nearing completion. Then there is the Stephen Keshi Stadium, the Asaba Storm Water Drainage, and the ongoing Warri Storm Water drainage projects. In human capital development, the Okowa administration has trained and produced 14,075 youth entrepreneurs while the state has maintained its leadership position in universal health coverage with over 1.2m enrollees (20% of the population) in the health insurance scheme.

I am not at all surprised that Omo-Agege is not ready to run an issue-based campaign as has been canvassed. This is a desperate power monger whose name has gone down in history as a political bandit. He needs to be reminded that Nigerians have not forgotten his dubious role in the infamous mace saga, which remains the greatest assault on our democracy and legislative freedom. It would have been too much to expect a man whose name has become synonymous with political subterfuge and brigandage to suddenly embrace the fine art of constructive engagement and ideological debates to sell himself and woo the electorate. As the saying goes, you can only give what you have, and all that Omo-Agege has to offer is his mischief, uncouthness, brazen lies, wild conjectures, vile propaganda, and bolekaja mentality. Even his half-hearted attempt to present a manifesto was nothing more than a cheap copy and paste job.

It is ironic that Omo-Agege would dare to pillory the emergence of Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori as the PDP governorship candidate in Delta State. It would have been laughable were it not so pathetic. It is common knowledge that Oborevwori emerged through a free, transparent, and credible primary election that was broadcast live on national television where Oborevwori defeated twelve other contestants with 591 votes out of 821 total votes cast. Compare that to Omo-Agege who, in his usual crude and despotic manner, hijacked the electoral process in the APC, connived with powerful forces to prevent others from contesting, and crowned himself the winner of a kangaroo primary election. Again, the outcome of that exercise did not come as a surprise. Omo-Agege’s antecedents first as Executive Assistant, later Commissioner and SSG in the state exposed him as a selfish, self-centred, bigoted, and heartless individual who would stop at nothing, including using underhanded methods, to get his desire at the expense of others.

That Omo-Agege would continue to parade himself as the architect of the new Electoral Act despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary speaks volumes of his character as an inveterate liar, serial deceiver, and traitor. Nigerians remember very well how this rabble rouser stood on the floor of the Senate and spoke and voted against electronic transmission of results because, according to him, there was no sufficient network in Nigeria to make that possible. For him to now seek to claim credit for what Nigerians fought for is the height of political chicanery.

Similarly, Omo-Agege wants to posture as a champion of southern presidency. Yet, it is on record that he led Senate President Ahmed Lawan’s campaign to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari. The truth of the matter is that such terms as equity, fairness, and justice, have no place in Omo-Agege’s dictionary. It is on record that he has been a staunch opponent of power shift in Delta State. Since 2007, he has contested the governorship, jumping from one party to another in the manner of a shameless political prostitute. Recall that in 2019 when some leaders of the APC sought to zone the governorship ticket to Delta North, he vehemently opposed it and the only aspirant who dared to contest almost lost his life. That is vintage Omo-Agege – vicious, cruel, and barbaric.

Deltans know better than to commit their fortunes and future into the hands of a notorious political bandit. And as for Senator Emilokan, clearly this is a man that is mentally and physically unfit to occupy the office he is aspiring to. There is really no need to respond to him because he is daily making himself a nuisance and laughing stock to Nigerians. Truly, I have compassion on him, and I hope that sooner than later, those close to him will come to his aid and rescue him from continually making himself a national embarrassment.

Ekwugum is Manager, Communications, Government House, Asaba

RT. HON. FRANCIS OBOREVWORI: NOW THE ALBATROSS OF HIS DISTRESSED OPPONENTS.

OLOMU ONYIYE.

As the campaigns now run along, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has rapidly remained the much-talked-about bride in the political landscape of Delta State.

His political image & Guber ambition, still ensconced & driven by the catchphrases of the "Sherrified Movement' & M.O.R.E Mantra, have become quite infectious & electrifying among Deltans, to the extent that most of them now follow his political activities with relish or delight. But then, his opponents won't stop hauling or shelling their salvos from their already depleted stock. The simple aim: just make a shipwreck of his Divinely ordained Guber ambition & that would be enough.

Their initial intention was to ensure that the Speaker's goodwill was smeared irreparably by the allegation of him being an 'agbero', a designation which for want of any other plausible explanation, only sought to equate such a man (who has for 7 years, headed & presided over the Legislative Arm of the State populated by equally Honourable representatives of Deltans) to the deplorable status of a motor park tout or resented village urchin.

However, the strange narrative of a 'thuggish' Speaker was naturally weaned off the minds of Deltans who clearly knew & stood for the truth. As they say, Truth never walks on crutches. If it must walk at all, it has to stand upright.

Right now, a new narrative has been spun in the coven-like mills of the traducers of the platinum Speaker. They say he's only going to be Governor Okowa's surrogate in Government. How petty.

Between the Speaker, who has so far, been transversing the length & breadth of his Senatorial District & the State, having meetings & consultations with stakeholders/electorate, and his opponents, who keep going irritatingly berserk with their dependence on some phantom 'Federal Might or Connection', who is more prepared for the job ahead?

Obviously, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori has shown capacity by not waiting for Governor Okowa before hitting the ground running. He's been proving his mettle as the acclaimed veteran that he is.

Let his opponents keep inviting their feeble Federal flag bearers and garrulous past Chairmen who engage in mere political showmanship and unfounded tirades, but the truth remains that Deltans already know and would separate the real leaders from the bunch of jesters come 2023.