The Delta State Government has denied online publication of a feud between Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori, describing the allegation as untrue and a fabrication.
Communication aide to the governor, Mr Fred Oghenesivbe in a statement, yesterday, said “ My attention has been drawn to a mischievous and misleading news report published by All Progressives Congress, APC, Delta on its news portal and an online medium that Governor Okowa is at loggerheads with our amiable leader and former governor, Chief Ibori “The general public, especially the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, faithful, supporters of Governor Okowa and Chief Ibori should please disregard the mischievous publication.
“The publication alleged that the dissolution of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission, DESIEC, may truncate or delay the forthcoming council elections in the state and at the same time generate bad blood between major stakeholders in the PDP political family. The report went further to allege that Chief Ibori is in cold war with incumbent governor, Mr Okowa, “for Okowa not consulting Ibori before DESIEC dissolution.’
“Our findings revealed that the report was largely influenced by the major opposition party in the state. The DESIEC Bill 2017 when passed into law, according to the majority leader of state House of Assembly, Tim Owhefere will further guarantee credibility and substantially enhance electoral process in the state. This is very important and should be supported and encouraged by all Deltans. “It is the constitutional duty and responsibility of the executive arm of government to ensure good governance in the state through powers, functions and responsibilities assigned to it by the constitution and other enactments. It follows that the executive as part of its functions can initiate executive bills and it is the duty of the legislative arm of government to scrutinise such bills, debate and modify, reject or pass such bill into law.
RThe legislature has always exercised its powers without inference by the executive arm. “In accordance with democratic principles and the constitutional powers vested on the legislature by section 4 (6) (7) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Delta State House of Assembly at a lawful session presided over by the Speaker, Mr Sheriff Oborevwori and based on majority votes dissolved DESIEC, which procedurally set in motion the legislative process for the possible enactment of a new DESIEC LAW 2017. House majority leader, Mr Tim Owhefere moved the motion for the dissolution and was ably seconded by Mr Samuel Mariere.”
