It is not yet total victory for the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
The All Progressives Congress flag-bearer in the state, Olorogun O’Teger Emerhor, and his counterpart in the Labour Party, Chief Great Ogboru, have rejected the olive branch Okowa waved at them to join hands with him in moving the state forward.
The Governor had acknowledged during a thanksgiving service and reception to celebrate the Peoples Democratic Party victory during the rerun of the Delta Central Senatorial District election at Out-Jeremi in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state, that litigations would not do the oil rich state any good but slow down growth and development of the state and urged the duo of Ogboru and Emerhor not to despair but believe in his avowed all-inclusive government.
The state LP Chairman, Chief Tony Ezeagwu, urged Okowa to, instead, pursue the eligibility contest he filed against his candidate and Emerhor at the Federal High Court, Asaba to logical conclusion.
The Federal High Court on June 18 quashed the Governor’s eligibility suit, asking the parties in the matter to go and sort themselves out at the Elections Petitions Tribunal.
Speaking at the weekend in Otu-Jeremi, during a thanksgiving service and reception to celebrate the Peoples Democratic Party victory during the rerun Delta Central Senatorial election, the Governor specifically enjoined Ogboru and Emerhor to set aside all political differences but collaborate with him to bring about positive change in the state.
He said he would provide selfless service and ensure that dividends of democracy are evenly distributed among the three senatorial districts of the state, vowing to redeem his promise of “Prosperity for all Deltans”.
Okowa said: “It is by His grace we are where we are today and it is only when He builds our foundation can we stand firm. The real thanksgiving is by developing a stronger relationship with the people and selfless service and my administration will continue to make efforts to ensure that dividends of democracy come to Deltans.
“In Delta Central, it gladdened my heart that PDP got the majority votes during the elections thereby delivering our candidates into the various positions the party vied for.
“I want to appeal to our leaders to create space for our women because I am making appointments from a list given to me from the party in the various local government areas, so, include women in your lists for we do not intend to leave anybody behind.”
Okowa backed former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan on the proposed re-organization of DESOPADEC, maintaining: “My administration’s watchword is fairness, equity and justice for all.”