* Says, I am Neutral in the Fight for Guber ticket!
Worried by reports presently making the rounds that he has anointed a particular aspirant in the forthcoming governorship primary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has reiterated his neutrality.
Ahead of the primary, 12 governorship aspirants mostly from Delta Central Senatorial district and a handful from the South Senatorial district have been screened by the Screening Committee headed by Bayelsa State Governor Duoye Diri.
They are a former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi; Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori; former Principal Secretary to late President Musa Yar’Adua and immediate past Chief of Staff to Gov Okowa Olorogun David Edevbie; Senator James Manager, Senator representing Delta South and Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro.
Others are former Delta State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Peter Adogbejire Mrakpor (SAN); former commissioner for Housing, Olorogun Fred Majemite; Managing Director of Wellmann Group, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye; former Sapele Council Chairman, Omizu Ejaife Odebala, Uvwie-born politician, Sir Onajefe-Gift Bright Edejewhro; Mr. Lucky Ohworode Idike and Chief Abel Oghenevo Esievo.
Dismissing the allegations, Okowa who spoke in Asaba, debunked rumour of endorsing any aspirant in all elective positions.
He assured that the primaries of the PDP will be fair, transparent, and credible.
He declared: “I have not endorsed any aspirant for any elective positions in the forthcoming general elections in the country. We shall provide free, fair, transparent, and credible party primaries.”
On the allegation that he hijacked the list of delegates, he described it as the handiwork of mischief makers, stressing that those who were out to derail the process will not succeed.
For those criticising the policies and programmes of his administration, Okowa advised them to be factual and assured them that nothing would derail him from fulfilling his electioneering campaign promises.
It would be recalled that the Delta State chapter of the PDP has been thrown into soaring internal crisis, fuelling apprehension that things may have fallen apart beyond control. At the very heart of the crisis is said to the be an unending clash and conflict between Governor Okowa and a former governor of the State, Chief James Ibori. While Chief Ibori is said to be pushing for Edevbie, the sitting Governor, Okowa is reportedly backing Speaker Sheriff Oborevwori.
