By Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke

ABUJA—Ahead of his public declaration, today, for the Delta State 2015 governorship contest, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has ruled out a return to the Senate, saying his only consideration is to be governor of the state.

Senator Okowa, in an interview in Abuja, also dismissed as speculative claims that one of the frontline aspirants had been anointed by the mainstream of his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the ticket.

Asked if he would consider returning to the Senate if denied the gubernatorial ticket of the party, Senator Okowa said: “That is off the line because I have focused my mind on being governor and so I can’t be thinking of the Senate.

I have focused my mind on being governor; that is what I want, that is what I pray for, that is what I am going for, and that is what I go to campaign for. So, there is no question of returning to the Senate; that is already off the line for 2015. I believe, very candidly too that I would not be denied the ticket. I believe that we are going to have a free and fair process because the party has promised so, because I know that is what my state will wish, and in a free and fair process, I am very hopeful that I will emerge.”

On speculations that he could be disadvantaged by the reported endorsement of one of the frontline aspirants by the mainstream of the party.