Secret Reporters No place to hide
Fejiro Oliver
If Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa had told Deltans that he was organizing a crusade; he would have smiled to the bank on Monday as what happened at the Oghara township stadium, headquarters of Ethiope West was more than a campaign rally.
The governorship hopeful convoy which left Asaba at 9:15am landed the expectant town around 11:03 where Okowa went to pay homage to the King of Oghara, Ovie Noble Eshemitan (Uku Oghara N’ame III) in his palace alongside the State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan. At the palace, the King who could not hide his feelings for Okowa confessed that he has been adopted by the Urhobos; thus killing the much preached Uvwiamuge Declaration of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU).
The sea of head that graced the occasion waited expectantly like the biblical passage of the ‘waiting for the manifestation of the Sons of God’ and truly, the son of man came into the venue amidst shouts of “Okowa, prosperity” renting the air, while his ever smiling face beamed radiance to the joyous crowd.
At exactly 12:45 pm, Uduaghan arrived at the venue adorning the same Urhobo attire of blue wrapper and white ‘resource control’ shirt with Okowa. Speaking at the event, the South South Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Cairo Ojuigbo passed a message to former members of the PDP who have defected to other parties to contest.
“We are giving anyone who has left the party 48 hours to return or he will be expelled from the party”, Cairo warned. Former Governor of Bayelsa State, DSP Alamesigha who was sent by the National body of the party in his speech noted that “We shall not allow that office (President) to be occupied by the opposition. It is the property of the South South for now”, a statement which the party faithful applauded.
And the man of the moment, Ifeanyi Okowa was given the microphone at exactly 1:22 pm to address the audience. In his usual style, he sang a worship song to God, just like he did during his declaration. Preaching unity to Deltans, he pleaded that they vote for him massively to enable the prosperity he preached about to reach the whole of Delta State. He promised to build two more industrial parks in the State if elected as a governor, while making sure that the agriculture sector receive boost to enable Deltans have food on their table.
He thanked the governor as well as James Ibori for building a Delta where there are roads linking each other in the State, a feat which is not in other states in the country. While dissuading Deltans not to be deceived by the opposition who changes name and party every year to contest; he emphasized on the unity of the PDP which has remain same since it was founded and with the word “I love you”, he beamed with smile and gave his running mate, Kingsley Otuaro to speak.
The campaign train moved to Warri North; Uduaghan Local Government, where hundreds of people waited patiently for him. Speaking to the people; he said that his governorship race has been a prophecy so far. He reminded the loyal electorates on how he stated during his primaries that Uduaghan will hand over to him and a particular medium (Vanguard Newspaper) went with a screaming headline that he was boasting. “I didn’t boast. I only knew that since I was the Director General of Patrick Osakwe Senatorial Campaign and when he was to leave the Senate; he handed over to me. Again on December 13th 2006, His Excellency called me to be his Director General, and again I knew that since I was his DG and he is leaving; he will also hand over to me”.
He praised the governor for providing an enabling ground for all aspirants to contest the primaries freely; unlike other states where they are still having problems. He promised the people of Warri North that he will complete all ongoing projects in their domain while ensuring that he do more for them. “When you whisper; I will hear you”, he told them
