It was a moment of joy and seeming demonstration of youthful exuberance for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State as he danced joyously with all smiles( as seen in video). To many, this was apparently to highlight the point that he is now the de facto political leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta state following the triumph of his loyalist, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, who emerged the flag bearer of the PDP in the just concluded primary.
It would be recalled that Okowa’s anointed aspirant, Oborevwori had defeated Olorogun David Edevbie, a former Commissioner for Finance in the State who later went on to serve as Okowa’s Chief of Staff and was backed by Chief James Ibori, former Delta State Governor and the Leader of the Ibori political family which wields controlling influence over the PDP in the State.
Recall also that Okowa’s emergence as governor in 2015, according to many accounts, was largely at the instance of Chief Ibori who is regarded as the Odidigborigbo of Africa in political circles. However, Okowa’s rebellion against the former governor whom he once served as Commissioner for Agriculture is being interpreted by many political analysts as an indication that an ambitious Governor Okowa now wants to be the defacto political leader of Delta state PDP! But many continue to raise the poser: Is Okowa really the type of leader the PDP wants?
In a viral video, Governor Okowa was seen dancing youthfully alongside Oborevwori in the full glare of party stalwarts, supporters and well-wishers at the Government House Chapel in Asaba obviously to celebrate the success recorded at the primary.
The New Diplomat recalls that Oborevwori polled 590 votes to beat his closest rival, David Edevbie, commissioner for finance during the James Ibori administration, who polled 113 votes.
While Oborevwori is the preferred candidate of Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta governor, James Ibori, former governor, is said to have backed Edevbie.
Other governorship hopefuls and their vote counts include James Manager (83), Kingsley Otuaro, Delta deputy governor (9), Peter Mrakpor, former attorney-general (9), Fred Majemite (six), Ejaife Odebala (three), Abel Esievo (two), Braduce Angozi (two), Bright Onajefe-Gift (three), Chris Iyowaye (0), Lucky Idike (one), and Ikie Agbarianovwe (0).
Olorogun Gbagi, a former minister of education, who was also cleared by the party to contest, withdrew from the race.
Announcing the results on Wednesday, Ndubisi Nwobu, PDP returning officer, said a total of 824 delegates were accredited for the primary.
