…As Delta Speaker, PDP Chieftains Eulogize Gov. Okowa
By John Oghojafor
Neither the heavy downpour nor the earlier false rumour that the rally was cancelled by the Modu Sheriff faction of PDP could deter the hundreds of thousands of the party supporters from the nooks and crannies of Delta Central thronging into the Sapele stadium for what was called mother of all rallies.
As early as 8.00 am the 20,000 capacity stadium had been filled to excess with PDP faithfuls from the 8 Local Government Areas of Delta Central thronging in to celebrate what the party generally acknowledged as a successful mid-term performance of the state governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. However, just when the occasion was to officially kick off in the forenoon, the heavens opened up and in less than forty-five minutes, the pitch of the stadium was flooded. But like Chief Ighoyota Amori would say in an interview later, the heavy downpour was an acid test on the faithfulness of members to the PDP, adding that come rain come sunshine, Delta Central is the stronghold of PDP.
The sight of thousands of the members resplendently dressed in various PDP colours dancing to blaring tunes from different musical sources under the heavy downpour could only speak of the degree of mobilization and preparation of the organizing committee headed by the State PDP chairman, Olorogun Barr. Kingsley Esiso.
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Speaking at the occasion, the Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa thanked the Delta Central PDP members for the massive mobilization for the rally, pointing out that it was a demonstration of the fact that the party was on ground in the senatorial district.
Said he: “You have proved it today that Delta Central is for the PDP. This is the very first rally we are holding in Delta Central since 2015 that we have come out in a very large number. You have done us proud, we are proud of you and God will bless you.
“Going forward, now we have so many of our own and so many others who have come to add up to the party. I’m convinced that the future is better and brighter for us as a people, as a family as we partner together to ensure that there is ‘operation totality of PDP’ in Delta State. I’m convinced with what I’m seeing here today and we will win in all the local government areas in Delta Central this time.”
Fielding questions from newsmen on the massive mobilization of the party members to the rally, the Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Chief Barr. John Nani stated that the level of mobilization was a testimony that the PDP is the only party on ground in Delta State, adding that the structure and leadership of the party in the state which revolves around Governor Okowa and former governor, Chief James Ibori has helped to galvanize the party and the people together.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Sheriff Oborevwori stated that the mega rally was to make a statement that PDP is on ground in Delta State, adding that it became necessary for the rally to hold in Sapele to afford the opportunity to showcase the hundreds of members of other political parties who defecting to the PDP from across the nine local government areas of Delta Central.
Hon. Oborevwori eulogized Governor Okowa for what he called his prudent management of the state resources, adding that he had done very well in the past two years in the face of meager resources.
“What we are doing here today is to celebrate Governor Okowa for his prudent management of the state resources. He has done very well in spite of the meager resources he has packaged the state, commissioning projects from local government to local government, it has never happened before and he has done well.”
According to Oborevwori, the people owe Okowa a second term in office in 2019, stressing that “we are going to deliver him.”
The roll call for top PDP stalwarts was endless which include: the Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Chief Ighoyota Amori, State PDP chairman, Olorogun Kingsley Esiso, Delta Central PDP chairman, Chief Dr. Pius Sinebe, Dr. A.P. Fovie, member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency, Hon. Lovett Idisi, Hon. Evelyn Oboro, Hon. Leo Ogor, Hon. Solomon Awinawhi, Hon. Evance Uvwurie, Hon. Uvie Ijitobor, Hon. Ovie Agas and Chief Sir and Chief Mrs. Tom Amioku, Hon. Austin Ayemidejor and Dr. Ebenezer Okorodudu.
Others are Chief Solomon Funkekeme, Hon. Michael Diden, Chief Emuobonuvie Enamuotor, Hon. Sunny Akpodiogaga, Chief Edwin Uzor, Mr. David Edevbie, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, among others.
The high point of the rally after passing a vote of confidence on the Governor was the welcoming and acceptance of defectors from Labour Party and A. P. C from across the state by the State’s party Chairman, Barr. Kingsley Esiso and Governor Ifeanyi Authur Okowa.
POLITICAL LEADERS AT THE RALLY INCLUDE:
Senator Ighoyota Amori, Chief Dr. A. P Fovie, Chief Bernard Edewor, Chief Jite Brown, Hon. Raymond Edijala, Hon. Solomon Awhinawhi, Hon. Evelyn Oboro, Barr. Lovette Idisi, Chief Sir and Mrs Tom Amioku, Hon. Chief Peter Uviejitobor, Barr. Ovie Agas, Engr. Blessing Enamuotor, Chief Prof. Sam Oyovwiare, Chief David Edevbie, Chief Pius Sinebe, Chief Edwin Uzor, Madam Philo U Ededey, Chief Sunday Onoriode Eromedoghene, Hon. Chamber Sikogo Chamber, Hon. Michael Diden AKA Ejele, Engr. Blessing Enamuotor, Hon. Julius Pondi, Eromedoghene Chief Solomon Funkekeme, Hon. Rueben Izeze, Chief Francis Arhiyor, Chief Obofukoro, chief Adiotomre, Hon. Joice Overa, Chief Sunny Akpodiogaga Emeyese, Mr. and Mrs Sakpaide and many others.
LIST OF DECAMPEES FROM LABOUR AND APC:
- Chief Paulinus Akpeki from Sapele
- Chief Honourable Evance Ivwurie from Ethiope East
- Hon. Chief Peter Uviejitobor from Udu constituency
- Chief Vincent Ema of Labour party from Warri South
- Moses Mogan from Labour party from UDU L. G. A
- Chief Solomon Jarikre from Ethiope West
- Felix Igbodu, Chief Vincent Atuma from Ethiope West L. G. A
- Hon. Jungle Itu from Warri South L. G. A.
- Mr. Ben Ayogri from Ethiope West
- Barr. Anthony Odia
- Comrade Felix Adjeke among others.
