-By Albert OGRAKA:
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate and incumbent Governor of Delta State has been declared winner of the 2019 governorship election held on Saturday March 9, 2019.
INEC’s State collation officer, Prof. Serth Accra Jaja after the signing of results sheets formally declared Okowa winner of the keenly contested governorship election at about 12:30pm.
He was formally declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after trouncing his key opponent, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate with 925, 274 votes.
PDP polled a total of 925,274 votes while APC scored 215,938, according to the final scores as collated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The state collation officer, Prof. Serth Accra Jaja said the state has a total of 2,831,205 registered voters, with 1,188,784 accredited for the election while a total of 1,178,335 votes were cast, out of which 1,154,188 votes were valid while 24,147 were rejected.
The various political parties agents signed the result sheet before the formal declaration of winner.
At a thanksgiving service held at the Government House Chapel in Asaba, and atended by former governor of the state, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, Governor Okowa who dedicated his victory to God commended INEC for being very fair in spite of pressures.
While thanking party leaders, members and Deltans for being there for him throughout the election, the governor-eoect disclosed that people were allegedly paid to burn down 12 INEC offices in Delta state but had a change of heart and the attempts by the nation’s rulling party to make the election in conclusive failed.
He declared that It was a victory for justice and fairness, adding that “There is no loser. The victory is for us all. We must join hands to move Delta state ahead. I seek for your cooperation and prayers. We must keep hope alive and think about the larger Delta. I reassure Deltans that I will improve on a better Delta state with the commitment of all.”
