By Hugo Odiogor
Uneasy is the head that bears the crown. That is the challenge facing Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa as he steps out to wrestle with fate and destiny in the Delta States political terrain, where he is aspiring to occupy the Unity House at Okpanam Road, Asaba.
The Owa born Senator representing Delta North senatorial district is carrying the flag of the People’s democratic party PDP and the collective aspiration of the Anioma people, to have one of their own become the governor of Delta state, just as the two other senatorial zones have done in the past 16 years.
The dominance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State politics has undoubtedly made it the party to beat. Consequently, there is the assumption that whoever is contesting the Governorship election on the platform of PDP is likely to win.
This was the case during the December 8th, 2014 primary election of the party where a total of 26 aspirants lined out. Delta North alone presented 18 of the aspirants
Never the less, the forth coming governorship election is a different ball game as Dr. Okowa is squaring up with the candidates of the two other political parties that are taking part in what is now a three-horse race.
OKOWAMANIA
The Oghara flag off was a huge carnival that left no one in doubt of the strength of PDP with a master political stroke by Dr. Okowa as he pulled the traditional Chief Ibori crowd and had a full house.
Dr. Okowa emerged as a unifying figure and as a leader in whom all Deltans can trust. The flag off was also an opportunity for all the groups working for the re-election of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to collectively solicit support for the President.
Dr. Okowa has set his priorities on accelerated industrial development by sustaining what Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has started with the Warri industrial Park, restoring of Agriculture to boost food security, Job creation, Improved Health Care delivery through provision of Health Insurance scheme, reviving the education sector to equip its products with the skills to find jobs, transportation and human capital development. Dr Okowa has equally outlined his vision to strengthen the private sector to accelerate commerce and Industrial growth.
Flagging off his campaign in Oghara, Ethiope West was strategic. This is heart of Delta Central politics. Chief James Ibori hails from here and his daughter, Ehriatake Ibori, is one of the emerging political pillars in this area and she hopes to represent them in the Delta State Assembly. Since 1999, Ethiope has consistently voted for PDP. Dr. Okowa needed to make the statement that he is running for the office of the Governor of Delta State. He also had to show appreciation to the people of Ethiope West which supported him to win the ticket in the first place, but above all, this is the local government of his former boss, regardless of the travails of the god father.
In fact, Chief Great Ogboru, who is flying the flag of Labour Party is also from Ethiope East. Ogboru appears to be the favoured candidate of the leadership of Urhobo Progress Union. The Urhobos who have occupied the governorship seat for 10 years, are presenting two candidates under the banners of Labour Party and All Progressive Congress. Chief Great Ogboru is of the Labour Party and Olororun O’Tega Emerhor is of the APC. The Urhobos have been boasting of their intention to give their bloc vote to Labour and APC, the main opposition party in the state. It was therefore a massive boost to see the impressive turn out at the Oghara stadium where the big shots in Delta State politics; including Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan were present to witness what may turn out to be audacious march to power.
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