(Dr.) Chukwuma O. Nwaonicha
IKA WEEKLY
The ongoing Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa's political networking
and consultation tour in which he has visited twenty two local
governments of the State was highly welcomed by Deltans and kudos to the
Senator. Deltans were impressed by the Senator's speech and what he
stands for, and they promised to do their best to support him in his
Governorship ambition. Many narrated the help the Senator rendered to
them while in Delta State Government. They rated the Senator very high,
the best among other aspirants.
Majority of Deltans thank the
Ijaw Leader Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, Obis, Kings and Chiefs across
Delta State for their efforts in hosting Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur
Okowa during his political networking and consultation tour. The Senator
and his entourage thank the Ijaw Leader Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark for
his exotic hosting and brief summary of the way forward for PDP in Delta
State, stating that there will be no room for imposition of candidate
on Deltans during the gubernatorial primary. The Senator also thanksthe
Obis, kings and other chiefs for their patriotic concerns about Delta
State leadership position.
During
his political networking and consultation tour, Senator Okowa has
charged politicians in the State to embrace politics of intellectualism
,
development and poverty alleviation, rather than politics of
brigandage, character assassination and name-calling. All the Local
Governments (PDP Secretariats) he visited were interested in his
leadership style because the Senator doesn't believe in smear campaigns
andparochial leadership. The Senator believes that individuals in
position of authority and leadership should be ready to develop Delta
State and help it to grow. The Senator noted that going along the line
there are challenges of poverty reduction, creating employment for the
youths and infrastructural
development, which he said are some of his top priorities.
The Senator also called on the people of the State to continue to live
in harmony and support the present Delta State administration in its
transformation policies. He praised Governor (Dr.) Emmanuel Eweta
Uduaghan and his leadership for the Warri industrial Park and other
facilities of industrial development that creates employment.
The Senator promised to create two more industrial Parks in the other
two Senatorial Districts (Delta Central and Delta North) and to do more
to promote the development of the State thereby creating employment for
the masses. He stressed the need for the people to continue to live in
unity and peace, noting that without peace, it would be difficult to
achieve meaningful development in the State. The Senator called on the
people of the State to accommodate one another, irrespective of
political or ethnic differences. We are simply Deltans, the Senator
said.
As noted, the Senator is a man of principle, a dedicated
individual whose desire is topromote a better welfare for Deltans
including healthcare and agriculture especially promoting aquaculture,
other types of farming, agricultural credit line and agricultural
incentives among others. I do believe that God is on his side. While
canvassing godliness among the people, the Senator pointed out that it
was the duty of the godly and the virtuous people in the society to
always preach to the bad ones so that the problems of political violence
and other vices in the State could be reduced.
The Senator
told the PDP members that they should support the President because he
(the Senator) whole heartedly is supporting Mr. President second term in
office. The Senator told Deltans to vote en masse for Mr. President
come 2015 election so that Mr. President could get the over two million
registered votes in Delta State.In addition, the Senator advised Deltans
to remain solidly behind the Federal Government in its Transformation
Agenda. What a devoted and loyal Senator, bravo!
Deltans has
thrown its weight behind the aspiration of the Senator to become the
next governor of the State come 2015. Pledging their support for the
Senator, Deltans noted the outstanding leadership qualities and
intimidating profile of the Senator and extolled his transparency and
life of selfless service. Deltans described him as the man with the kind
of personality, character and experience the governor of the State in
2015 must possess. In all local Government the Senator visited there
were tears of joy by Deltans for his past and present good work for
individuals and for the State.
Deltans were highly impressed by
the testimonies of all the good things said about the Senator and the
many great things the Senator have silently done, the lives he have
touched and his selfless sacrifices and contributions to uplift
humanity. I was particularly touched by the testimony of his
contributions and promotion to the building of healthcare centers and
schools among others during his service as a Commissioner and as SSG to
the State. I believe that the political networking and consultation tour
was also intended to offer Deltans and Delta Elders the opportunity to
ask him questions on the various issues that have been raised in the
media and rumors mills about his personality among others issues. The
tour afforded him the opportunity to properly inform Deltans and Delta
Elders about the true position of things and the need to be properly
coordinated in the march towards the future.
According to
Deltans and Delta Elders, Delta State Governorship requires a person
that has the needed capacity and relationship at the State level,
National level and economic communities. It requires a leader with human
management skills. It requires a leader that is devoid of ethnic
sentiments, a leader that will unite rather than divide the state, a
leader that has respect for the elders, widows, youths and constituted
authorities. It requires a political leader that will be transparent,
responsible, prudent, ingenious, honest and accountable to the people in
his dealings and not a yes-man, a civil servant or non-politician that
do not know what he or she is doing. I do believe that this yes-man,
self-anointed civil servant or non-politician is already in a political
hole so he has to stop digging. As the saying goes, if you find yourself
in a hole, stop digging. He/she is only wasting his/her time and
efforts. Deltans, especially PDP members and
stakeholders were proud the Senator got all the good qualities and that he is on board.
my opinion and that of majority of Deltans, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur
Okowa is the best technocrat contesting for the Governorship of Delta
State come 2015. Besides being the best technocrat contesting for the
Governorship race, I do believe he is ready to appoint technocrats in
his administration.
The Senator believes a form of government or administration where decision-makers
are chosen for a governing office based on their technical expertise and background.
In another note, in my observations, as we approach the 2015 general
elections,we must as an obligation to the State protect our votes and
make them count. For change to take its effect we must be ready to make
sacrifice and forget the cancerous worms that are dividing us along
ethnic sentiment and uphold unity. We should get focus and work in unity
of purpose.Disunit
y can only weaken the good intentions of our
collective leadership from achieving positive and progressive results.
Playing politics with our collective destiny is dangerous. United we
stand, divided we fall. Again, Deltans have another opportunity to
ensure, that their votes count while insisting on supporting only those
who are able to give good or positive account of their stewardship.
The way forward for PDP in Delta State is to pick a winning
Governorship candidate at the primary and the basic challenge we must do
away with is this mentality that our votes will not count due to
manipulation. We should 'fight' to make our votes count and make
democracy work because it is a known fact that those in privileged
positions never give them up without a 'fight'. We must also down play
ethnicity, undermine the gifts and party affiliations and be simply
Deltans to put the right people in the right place. That way, we can
force our politicians to behave responsibly in terms of credibility,
reliability,
professionalism
, integrity, management, leadership and empowerment among others.
Deltans should vote for politicians who are qualified, competent and
responsible (from Local Government to the House of Assembly to the
Federal House of Representatives
and to the Governorship race) to
handle the affairs of Delta State's leadership and vote out those that
drag us back. This time around, it is grassroots voting and support that
will bring about the desired results. As the saying goes, the
punishment which the wise suffer who refuses to take part in the
government is to live under the government of worse men. That means we
have to vote to avoid the imposition of a candidate on Deltans. Also,
there is this saying that bad leaders are as a result of those who do
not come out to vote. Deltans should note that it's not only
registration but come out to vote at least for the Governorship
election.
Deltans should vote for a credible candidate for the
Governor of Delta State comes 2015 to build and promote a stronger and
united Delta State predicated on justice, equity and fair play. As a
Delta State indigene, a Patriotic Leader and a PDP Stalwart from Ika
South Local Government, my position for Delta State Leadership (from
Local Government to the House of Assembly to the Federal House of
Representatives
and to the Governorship race) election 2015 is to
produce: a leadership that is responsive to the yelling and suffering of
all Deltans, a leadership that empowers women and youths, a leadership
that is visionary, creative and has ideas, a leadership that listens to
the masses and has an open door policy, not a leadership that is
interested in using the masses to achieve his/her own personal goal and
interest or hidden agenda, a leadership that is humble and ready to work
with all Deltans, a leadership that will remedy the lack of economic
and social developments in Delta State and take the State to a higher
level, and a leadership that will embrace radical implementation of
Delta State Public Works Program (DSPWP) that will create employment for
millions of Delta State indigenes that is without work.
As
noted, at the executive level, majority of Deltans(Delta South, Delta
Central and Delta North) have identified Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur
Okowa as possessing the above qualities and as a viable candidate for
Delta State Governor come 2015.For those who want to join the entire
good people of Delta State in this effort to see the Senator succeed in
his political endeavor, I am calling on you to do so today through your
patriotic supports and be counted. There may be some, who may question
our motives for the choice of the Senator and reach conclusions without
lifting a finger to make a difference. Our effort is simply an attempt
to seek a change for the betterment of our State. The core of our
togetherness shall be: to work and promote the interest of all Deltans
for the benefit of all Deltans.
I am fundamentally an optimist
and I strongly believe we will change our State management system to
promotefaster development of the State in terms of job creation and
infrastructural
development. I challenge every Deltan specially PDP
apparatchiks to join hands with Senator Okowa to achieve this noble
objective for the good of our State.
Let me remind you all that
one of the main problems we have in Delta State is our continued search
for a reason for being a Deltan. Given the ethnic divide, our leaders
should be able to nurture a feeling of belonging and statehood in all of
us. Our ethnic differences should be a source of strength but instead
some of our leaders have used our differences as tools for division and
distraction while breeding misadministrati
on.
I understand
that one of the goals and priorities of the Senator is equal
opportunities for all Deltans. The goal and priority is not only
appropriate but also very timely, especially as democracy has remained
on the front burner of Delta State government. Democracy, no doubt is a
train that every indigene of the State must endeavor to embrace since it
requires the involvement of all individuals.
The goal and
priority of the Senator is not only limited to equal opportunities for
all Deltans but also includes: fairness in leadership, eradication of
ethnic conflicts and tribal sentiments in Delta State among others.
Above all, Deltans should believe in the rule of law and peaceful
co-existence with their neighbors.
The task ahead of us in State building is enormous but are not insurmountable,
and can be achieved through hard work, trust, discipline, caring,
commitment, patriotism and God-fearing among others. Therefore, to
effectively develop Delta State a responsible leadership is needed.
Leadership which makes its mark in history is that which devotes itself
entirely to the pursuit of the sensibilities of its disparate people.
When we are principled, our policies and goals must not fail. This is
the Senator.
At this point, I'm calling on all Daltans to
support and stand behind Senator Okowa because he will try his best to
carry along the poor, the widows and the jobless youths in the State, as
I'm sure the Senator would do his best for them if elected Governor.
As noted, one of the Senator's objectives for Deltans is to have a
better State where our orientation for love, peace, unity, safety, job
opportunities and economic prosperity reigns supreme. It is my
conviction that in Delta today, good governance will play a catalytic
role in the design and implementation of a viable strategy for economic,
industrial and technological development, and for addressing the
challenges to ethnicity, peace, security and stability in the state.
These challenges can only come to play if the Senator is elected as the
next Governor of Delta State. The Senator noted the above factors during
his excellent speeches at the political networking and consultation
tour to the twenty two local governments visited so farin the State and
Delta State PDP members agreed with the Senator.
As we approach
2015, we should note that those we allow into leadership positions can
make development faster, better or worse. As I noted, economic and
social development is slow in our State due to the 'cash and carry'
politicians that is why Deltans should support the Senator as the next
Governor come 2015 to address these issues. On the other hand,
sustainable development is continues process and continues improvement,
and will among other things create jobs; reduce poverty and crime in the
State, hence the Senator believes in policy continuity.
At
this juncture, I will like to briefly address what is at stake in Delta
State leadership. It is not in doubt that Governor (Dr.) Emmanuel Eweta
Uduaghan, wants to be in the Senate in 2015 representing Delta South
Senatorial District after his eight-year sojourn at the Government
House.It is also not in doubt that Governor Uduaghan wants a credible
successor who will continue with his three-point agenda transformation
to succeed him. I suggest that the Governor should be concern about the
character and quality of the person that would succeed him in 2015. I do
believe that the Governor wants somebody who will complete the projects
he had started and take the three-point agenda to higher heights.In my
sincere and humble opinion, no other Governorship candidate in PDP
should be so assiduous, humble and loyal to Governor Uduaghanthan
Senator Okowa to work with this agenda as one of his economic and social
development priorities.The PDP elders and stakeholders should insist
that there should be free, fair and open PDP primaries for all
aspirants. I strongly believe that the Senator shall be the choice of
the delegates at the primary.
As noted the quality of a good
politician is often backed by leadership skills, experiences,
intelligence and integrity - all combined to achieve certain goals and
priorities for the advancement and empowerment of the masses. Therefore,
the best quality of a politician is honesty, God fearing, trustworthy
and reliability. As stated in the past, I challenged Governor (Dr.)
Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, the PDP Chairman in Delta State, Chief Peter
Nwaoboshi and other Delta State PDP Stakeholders on the choice of the
next Delta State Governor that will make Deltans proud. There is no
other Governorship candidate than the Senator.
The PDP
Chairman, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, Governor (Dr.) Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan,
other PDP stakeholders and loyalists that are pushing very hard for
Delta State to remain PDP State; should note that it will be
materialized if the right thing is done. That is, picking a good and
marketable individual as the PDP candidates at the primary and not
through imposition of any candidate on Deltans (from Local Government to
the House of Assembleto the Federal House of Representatives
and
to the Governorship race). Therefore, the way forward for PDP
stakeholders in Delta State is to pick a marketable and winning
candidate at the primary. That should be the major concern, top priority
and responsibility of Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, Governor (Dr.) Emmanuel
Eweta Uduaghan, the stakeholders and host of other PDP loyalists that
are pushing for Delta State to remain PDP State.
As noted, majority of Deltans have found the Governor they truly can trust,that is; Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.
Any leader whose impact extends beyond his immediate surroundings is a
success. Governor (Dr.) Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan will triumph in his
political career if Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa who is loved by
Deltans for his competence, management skills and non-parochial
leadership style succeeds him. However, Governor (Dr.) Emmanuel Eweta
Uduaghan's greatest achievement would be finding the best man to succeed
him and carry on his blueprint. As noted by majority of Deltans, that
man is not far-fetched; he is the Senator.
On the other hand,
PDP Chairman in Delta State, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi will go a long way in
his political endeavor if PDP maintains its sustainability in
leadership in Delta State. I know for sure that PDP cannot afford to
lose Delta State to another political party by picking a wrong and
non-marketableG
overnorship candidate at the primary. I believe that any party member that wanted to contest election must be ready to test his/
her
popularity, performance and good works as there would be no room for
imposition of candidate or candidates. As noted by Deltans and Delta
political class, the Delta State Governorship race is for quality
politicians and not for civil servants or non-politicians. These civil
servants or non-politicians
have no political structure in Delta
State even in their Local Governments; politically they are dead on
arrival. It is unheard of to use civil servants and non-politicians
for the duty of quality politicians in Governorship race.
Governor (Dr.) Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan's should resist the attempt to pick a yes-man, civil servant or non-politician,
and go for a politician withcompetence,
excellent management and leadership skills. Any attempt to pick a
yes-man, civil servant or non-politician is an insult and a slap on the
face of Deltans and Delta State politicians. Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi
Arthur Okowa is currently the finest administrators among the candidates
indicating interest in Delta State Governorship come 2015, irrespective
of their political affiliations. He has excellent work ethic and
interpersonal skills. The Senator has the charm, brilliance, competence,
compassion, loyalty and patriotism every Governor must have to succeed.
He is accepted as a friend at home and abroad. His network of
accomplices cut across the strata of Delta State and beyond. Deltans
without a doubt shall benefit from Senator Okowa's administration as the
Governor of the State. As the saying goes, few were called, many came
but one is chosen, that is the Senator.
In conclusion, the Senator
traced the history of PDP formation of which he is one of the founding
members while submitting that the founding fathers formed the PDP as a
party for the people by the people and for the people.
He
warned of the dangers of imposing people against the interest of
consistent and loyal members of the party who have suffered for the
party for the sake of being the flag-bearers of PDP on executive or
legislative elections. Also, Senator Okowa warned that acts of
imposition of candidates on PDP was absolutely adverse and negative to
democratic principles and ideology, adding that democracy must be seen
as an avenue through which people choose and decide who will govern or
rule them in elections that are free and fair. Delta State PDP members
agreed with the Senator's honest belief. Vote wiselyand vote your
conscience at the primary, the Senator said.
The Senator urged the
delegates to always use their votes wisely as their votes were not for
sale and any act to make their votes a mercantile affair will be
inimical to internal democracy of our political party and political
dispensation. The Senator thanks Deltans and wishes them well.
Finally, in my view, I believe that Delta State PDP members are against what I called growing anti-democratic
behavior by few of our Stakeholders in the State trying to impose
Governorship candidate (a yes-man, a self-anointed civil servant or a
non-politician)
on Deltans, noting that if this is not checked, it could undermine the entire democratic structure.
I know this yes-man, self-anointed civil servant or a non-politician
would be a nightmare to Deltans from Jump Street. I, therefore, advised
all lovers of democracy in Delta State PDP to immediately 'fight' for
their democratic right, as they are not likely to enjoy any democratic
tenet under these Stakeholders I described as despotic leaders who are
not disposed to divergent thinking. I Salute You.
As always, Remain Blessed, Elder (Dr.) Chukwuma O. Nwaonicha (Big Daddy)..
