At this redemptive moment of our convoluted history, it has become expedient to initiate a transparent process that would begin to interrogate the antecedents of aspiring leaders. A panoramic view on Nigeria’s chequered history, opens a pandora box of leaders whose tongues flattered with deceit, and whose throats have become an open grave. This category of leaders have been responsible for the stagnant development of our nation.
This has been the lot of the people of Delta state who have suffered untold hardship under the watch of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. Virtually every tribe felt betrayed by Okowa’s treacherous disposition. His style of government easily gives him away as a slimpy, crafty and hypocritical human person.
Under the political arrangement of Delta state, Okowa was elected to fill the slot of Delta north which comprised mainly of the people of Ika and Anioma. Hence, he enjoyed overwhelming support from the Anioma people in the election that catapulted him to the government house, Asaba as the state Governor. Ironically, upon assumption of office, he betrayed the people who believed he was their own. The government Asaba became an extension of his Ika community to the chagrin of the Anioma people who were made to become on lookers in a government they had laid claim to.
Today, the people grumble in silence over total neglect of their immediate communities by the Governor Okowa’s led administration. Apart from Asaba, the state capital, no visible infrastructure was provided by government in Anioma communities. Major towns like Ogwashi-uku, Ibusa, Issele uku and Ubulu-uku remain a shadow of their proud past.
The Okowa’s government failed to provide basic essential amenities as portable pipe born water for the people who suffered perennial water supply for ages. The people are currently licking their wounds over the injustice melted at them by outing going Okowa’s administration.
Governor Okowa was reputed to have openly betrayed Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike and the entire South South quest for the presidency ahead 2023 general elections.
Okowa’s taciturn disposition led to the colossal failure of South South zest and quest for the presidency. Governor Okowa who was one of the exponents of the south south crave for the presidency, abandoned the group which comprised of PDP Governors in the south south region at the eleventh hour for a self fulfillment mission that eventually threw him up as Vice to the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Abubaka Atiku.
The circumstances surrounding the emergence of the incumbent Speaker, Delta state House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori as the current PDP governorship candidate would not be unconnected with Okowa’s treacherous disposition.
He was reported to have betrayed his political godfather, penultimate Governor of Delta state, Chief James Ibori who fought his Urohobo kinsmen to ensure the realization of Okowa’s political aspiration as Governor. He jettisoned Ibori’s preferred Governorship candidate, David Edevbie through his usual backstabbing scheming. After a prolonged legal fireworks at the temple of justice, Governor Okowa had his way. The consequence of his action has thrown the Delta state PDP in disarray as it recorded a huge number of decamped members to the APC opposition party.
Though political observers believed that Oborevwori’s candidature is Governor Okowa seeking a third term through the back door. Undoubtedly, upon assumption of office, Oborevwori would dance to the tune of Okowa’s treacherous symphonies.
Also, narrating his ordeal in the hands of Governor Okowa in a blog site, Olorogun Barrister Kenneth Gbagi, former minister of state for Education said while addressing Pastors in Ika north that Okowa allegedly deceived him with the Bible for seven and half years.
He alleged that Governor Okowa promised to handover the ruins of government to him at the expiration of his eight years tenure, adding that “the consequence of his lies, thinking that he’s wise, is staring him at his face today.”
Hear him: ” Okowa is an empty person. He no longer has anybody with him. He thought he was smart. Okowa would tell different things to different people over one issue. And comes with a mien that you don’t believe that he could be a liar. That’s why I told him that he lies with perfidy.
“Okowa is very good in calling on God.
If you see the way Okowa is calling God, a criminologist would fall for him. If you go to Okowa’s office, he has a big red Bible conspicuously displayed with a cap folded on top of it. You will never think he could lie.” Gbagi lamented.
Governor Okowa once said that a man who has no shame, character and integrity would never lead properly. That paradoxical statement is the crux of this essay, Okowa, a serial betrayal.
