IN every contest, there must be a winner and a loser. In the first place, that is why it is called a contest. Nigerians are football loving people and most times, they accept the defeat of their favourite teams with the hope of preparing better for future tournaments.
Though, politics is supposed to be a more brotherly game; where the contestants know their individual weaknesses and strengths, only few individuals like the immediate past President, Goodluck Jonathan, will be remembered for being galant in defeat. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had not declared current President Muhammadu Buhari winner of the Presidential election when Jonathan put a call to him, congratulating him on emerging victorious. That call, to say the least, prepared Buhari for what he is doing in the country today. Otherwise, there would have been an atmosphere of uncertainty if former President Jonathan and his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had dragged him to court.
In Delta State, Chief James Ibori had a smooth sail into Government House, Asaba in 1999 as his main rival in that year’s election, Chief Moses Kragha, a gentle man per excellence who was the candidate of the All Peoples Party (APP) quietly conceded defeat to Chief Ibori and his PDP, despite a clear lead in Delta Central by the APP.
However, since 2003, Delta State has not had a gubernatorial contest where the losers accepted defeat and agreed to work with the winners in the interest of the state they intended to govern. Most of us know that challenging gubernatorial electoral victories in the tribunal, court or whatever name it is called polarizes the populace. This is because, supporters of the perceived loser will always be a clog in the wheel of progress; believing that the victory of the winner would be upturned while the supporters of the winner will view the supporters of the losers as enemies, who do not want their progress. And knowing the nature of our dear state, the greatest loser of course is Delta State whose progress becomes stunted as a result of distractions.
Opponents to Governor Okowa in the last elections should as a matter of patriotism, jettison challenging the electoral victory. Is it an ego issue or that they believe they must govern the state at all cost? Do they want to govern the state because they want to serve the people, or expand their business empires? These and other questions that are better not voiced are very important for the people to know where they are going.
Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa cannot be said to be a man who is not prepared for the act of governance. From the vibrancy he put into his electoral campaigns to the reassuring the address of hope he delivered on May 29, during his inauguration, it was clear to any discerning mind, including critics, that this man knows his onion and was prepared for governance.
Against the expectations of many, his cabinet has been constituted and other appointments made without discrimination of any kind. He has proven that he is the governor of Delta State, not a sectional Governor.
Is Governor Okowa working for Deltans? Of course, Yes! What then, will those who are at the tribunal going to offer that Governor Okowa is not offering Deltans? No man is an island and, as an African, Governor Okowa is aware that a tree does not make a forest, neither is he working as if it is a winner-takes-all situation. So, the opponents have a lot of avenue to offer ideas on how to make the state a better place for all.
Governor Okowa, last weekend, stated that he was ready to work with Deltans including those in opposition, noting that Deltans who had divergent views as a result of the elections should know that the elections are over and should live in unity and peace for a progressive and prosperous Delta State.
According to him, “one thing we must realize, is that after the elections, we remain brothers and sisters, whatever the party you belong to; it is time for us to work together. Let us build Delta State together; the elections are over. I want to appeal to all, it is time for us to build Delta together, we are open to criticism, we are open to suggestion, we may not know it all, but one thing that I know is that we must be united, it is time for us to love ourselves, it is time for us to build the Delta State of our dream,”
It is only a godly, peaceful, humble man who desires a peaceful environment for prosperity to thrive that can make such statements. Democracy provides for opposition and Governor Okowa made it clear that he was not ready to gag the opposition. It is worthy to however, state that for a progressive state, it should not be an arm chair opposition or opposition that will bring the state to ridicule; but opposition that will be working for a progressive state, letting the government know where it is going wrong and proffering workable solutions.
Governor Okowa who was speaking during a thanksgiving service in honour of HRM Murphy Urugbezi, Ogwara I, the Ovie of Ellu Kingdom at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Ellu, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State used the occasion to thank Deltans for choosing him to govern them.
According to him, “this is an opportunity to say thank you to the people of Isoko nation, the people of Isoko North and Isoko South, the traditional rulers and their subjects, I am governor today because the people of Delta State came to say that I should be Governor, I got full support from both the traditional rulers and their subjects in the three senatorial districts, especially the people of Isoko North and Isoko South, we will continue to manage the resources of Delta State for the common good of the people, it is the promise we made.”
Those who took Governor Okowa to the tribunal are Deltans who may mean well for the state; and they still have the opportunity to proffer ideas on the way forward without being the governor. We look forward to a situation where Governor Okowa and those who battle him in the last elections will collectively, address a press conference and say, “despite all that you have heard, seen, or perceived, we are Deltans and we are united for a progressive, prosperous Delta State.” It is possible!
Delta is too blessed to be poor; abundant water resources, rich soil, endowed with oil and gas, and well educated and enlightened people who have excelled in different fields of endeavour. The time to build is now; it will start by you thinking positive and avoid the pull him down syndrome. Again, God bless Delta State where you hardly need fertilizer to grow your crops.
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