Ifeanyi Okowa, immediate past governor of Delta State, has given reasons Deltans, should support Sherriff Oborevwori, incumbent governor of the state, to succeed.
Among the several reasons is that Oborevwori would build on the foundation laid by his (Okowa’s) administration for greater Delta State.
He said his administration of eight years ((2015-2023) had laid a foundation for stronger Delta State and that it was time to build on the foundation laid.
“Oborevwori has come to build on that foundation we have laid; to take the state and its people to greater heights through his MORE agenda and I urge you all to support him to succeed,” he said.
Okowa made the call at during the grand reception held in his honour at Owa Model College, Boji-Boji, Owa, Ikah North East LGA, his country home, by the Ika nation, to celebrate his home-coming after a successful eight years in office as the state governor.
According to Okowa, “People may say a lot of things but one thing I know is that Oborevwori is a man with a good heart. He is a man with the heart of the people. He’s not one that would look down at anybody; and that is the kind of governor that we want in Delta State.
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“We want somebody who will relate with the old, the young, the rich and the poor as well as relate with traditional institution and with the very lowly in the society.
“If you want to preside over the affairs of the people, you must have a clear understanding of what the people want and you cannot even know what the people want except you are ready to step down to where we are,” Okowa said.
He however, appealed to those he couldn’t meet their expectations to forgive him, saying it was due to many circumstances that people may not even have knowledge of. “It is not easy to sit on the governorship seat. It is when you are there you’ll know that it is a hot seat,” Okowa said.
Earlier in his speech, Sherriff Oborevwori had pledged that his administration would be fair, just and equitable to all parts of the state just as he promised that every senatorial district would be treated equally in terms of projects and appointments.
According to him, “We have promised to do more for Deltans for entrusting us with this cherished mandate and we will do so with the fear of God.”
He commended the Ika nation for organising the reception in honour of the former governor as he described Okowa’s eight years in the saddle as very wonderful and impactful on the lives of our people.
“There is nothing as good as your people celebrating you; because some people will finish serving in public office and they cannot return home.
But here you are being celebrated and given a hero’s welcome by your people, and Deltans have come in their large numbers to honour you today in appreciation of your good deeds,” he said.
Oborevwori appealed to them and the entire Deltans to extend same love and support shown his predecessor to the current administration even as he promised to be a servant-leader.
“The immediate past governor is very experienced in governance and leadership and I learnt a lot from him in the last eight years,” he said.
Oborevwori at the ceremony approved the naming of the Old Lagos-Asaba Road cutting across Ika North East and Ika South LGAs after Ifeanyi Okowa as requested by Ika LG council.
Earlier, Nduka Irabor, chairman planning committee, said they honoured the former governor for his outstanding accomplishments in the administration of the state and for making Ika nation and the entire state proud.
He lauded Deltans for coming out in large numbers to honour the immediate past governor and his family, adding that the Okowa administration witnessed unmatched peace and unprecedented development across the three senatorial districts of the state.
