-By Albert OGRAKA:
The unimaginable magnanimous and unprecedented ongoing campaign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which is billed for the 25 local government areas of Delta state, has tactically put the various opposition party, especially the All Progressive Congress (APC) on their wits end.
The enormous crowd of the PDP who throng out for the campaigns with strong determination to ensure that all candidates of the party are successfully elected into their various positions, have also sent more jitters into the camps of the opposition parties.
At the campaigns, the Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has said his re-election will be premised on sustenance of peace, development and equity in line with rotation of political offices in the state.
Governor Okowa who thanked the people for their support which he says will bring about unprecedented development in the next four years, expressed confidence that his administration has delivered on the promises made during the 2015 campaign, stating that the next four years of his tenure as Governor will be better.
Governor Okowa made these disclosures during the ongoing campaigns of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 25 local government areas of Delta State respectuvely.
Also recall that the Chairman of the PDP in the state, Barr. Kingsley Esiso had presented flags to the candidates of the party for different electoral positions, ranging from Senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats during the flag-off at the Oghara Township Stadium, Oghara, Ethiope West local government area of Delta State.
“I thank all Deltans for the votes cast for us in 2015, together, we have crossed the very difficult times, our collective efforts have been recognised nationally and internationally, we have delivered on our promises,” the governor said, stating, “as we move into the next level, we will continue to grow prosperity, but, I cannot do it alone, working with you, all Deltans, we will build a stronger Delta that we will be proud of and others will emulate; what we need is cooperation and peaceful environment.”
He lambasted opponents who will not campaign but be at home planning bad things, saying, “they will not succeed, we will get unprecedented number of votes all over the state; the opposition should come out and campaign, they should not be planning on how to disrupt the elections.”
He continued, “from the Presidency to the House of Assembly, we will have to deliver all our candidates; I offer myself for debate because, it is not enough for All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate to come out and say he wants to be governor and relying on thugs or run to Lagos after every election.”
At Sapele and Koko in Sapele and Warri North local government areas respectively, the governor called on opponents to engage in campaigns and tell the people what they can do rather than holding nocturnal meetings and be scheming on how to snatch ballot boxes and engage in electoral malpractice.
Those who spoke at the rally, including Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro, former Governor James Ibori, former Deputy Governors Amos Utuama and Benjamin Elue, Senator Patrick Osakwe, Senator Stella Omu, Dr Rolland Orisejafor, Dr Steve Oru, Chairman of the Campaign Council, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, Director General of the Campaign Council, Rt. Hon. Solomon Funkekeme, Chairman of the party in the state, Barr. Kingsley Esiso, among others, gave reasons why Deltans will re-elect Governor Okowa.
Barr. Otuaro said, “the time has come again for us to do it the way we have been doing since 1999.”
“The re-election of Governor Okowa is our challenge; I have no question in my mind that you (Governor Okowa) have done very well, I can say that without equivocation, you have done exceedingly well; you are competent, capable, knowledgeable and have the capacity to govern the state for another four years; you (Governor Okowa) deserve another term, I am indeed very pleased with you, your achievements,” Chief Ibori said while Prof. Utuama and Chief Elue respectively said, “we are here to affirm our support for the candidates of the PDP;” “there has been a foundation of power rotation and good governance in Delta State, let us go to our different units, our wards to work for PDP, I can assure you that victory is ours.”
Senator Patrick Osakwe described the support for Governor Okowa as “a mass movement.”
Senator Omu stated that Governor Okowa “is a master of good governance, master of road construction who has been tested and will be re-elected for us to continue to enjoy peace,” and Dr Orisejafor said, “I am here to declare that in agreement with all Deltans, the governor has done very well, today, we are testifying that he has delivered on his promises and has done extremely well; several factors are behind him and he will be re-elected.”
Rt. Hon. Solomon had in a welcome address, said, “we are here to celebrate God; our Governor has done well and we are here to appeal to Deltans to vote for all the candidates of the PDP.”
Prof. Oyovbaire stated, “there is no vacancy in Government House, Asaba; I have never seen a rally of this magnitude, hank God all Deltans are here; the man for whom we are gathered is a man of integrity, PDP will be back to Aso Rock. “
Chairman of the party in the state, Barr. Kingsley Esiso called for support for all the candidates of the PDP, saying the party has solutions to the problems of the country.
