KUDOS TO SENATOR OKOWA FOR HIS POLITICAL NETWORKING AND CONSULTATION TOUR FOR DELTA STATE 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS- Elder

(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 infrastructuraldevelopment, 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.Disunity 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 misadministration.
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-marketableGovernorship 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)..