The National Coordinator, Benin River Vanguard (BRV), Anthony Okotie in this interview, declares that Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Delta State will eventually emerge victorious at the poll. Excerpts:

By Charles Adingupu

As the general election draws near with the ticking of the clock, aspirants of different political parties at different levels are putting finishing touches to their campaigns. For some, there is no alternative to electoral victory in their different constituencies. But for others, the election is not different from an ordinary afternoon athletic contest that one would walk away from if the result is otherwise.

However in Delta State, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, seems to be on top of the game, as feelers showed that the various opposition parties angling for the exalted seat of the state have ethnic colouration.

•Senator Ifeanyi Okowa flanked by his wife and Professor Sam Oyobvbaire during his governorship declaration in Asaba, Delta State.

The national coordinator of the Benin-River Vanguard (BRV), a social cultural organisation, Anthony Okotie, however, assured that the emergence of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as the state flag bearer of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has guaranteed victory not only for the party members but for Deltans at large.

Despite these ethnic cleavages which have become the norm of Delta politics, the activist stated that the PDP umbrella is big enough to accommodate the different ethnic groups bickering over the governorship of Delta State.

“For me, PDP is the only party that does not discriminate. It’s a party for all. Hence, people in Delta must support Okowa in realising his governorship aspiration,” he said.

In this regard, the social crusader beckoned on indigenes of Itsekiri extraction not to hesitate in casting their votes for Senator Okowa, who, he describes as a tested hand and a man who can deliver the inherent benefits of democracy.

His words, “The Itsekiris must rally round Senator Okowa because he is exposed to the vagaries of political underplay in governance. There’s no gainsaying that he will continue the good work of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan if elected governor.

Noting Okowa’s promises of boosting infrastructure development, he said:

“I believe that what is most critical at this stage of our development, is job creation. The man, Senator Okowa has given his word on it. However, those who know him too well would attest that he’s  not a man who reneges on promises. Certainly, he will create jobs in order to checkmate the unwholesome activities of our youths who have taken to crime and indulge in other vices contrary to conventional norms,” he said.

The BRV coordinator posited that Senator Okowa’s disposition to electoral campaign in the state, shows that he’s a grassroot politician already abreast with the suffering of ordinary Deltans.

“Deltans will certainly agree with me that Senator Okowa’s style of campaign goes beyond recording electoral victory but ostensibly feels the pulse of average Deltans in order to address their immediate and legitimate needs upon assumption of office.

“He has broken the ethnic barriers in Delta State by ensuring that the crisis rocking virtually all the  regions are settled politically. This will continue if elected. The composition of his campaign team speaks volumes of his stance against politics of exclusion which has more or less become a sine qua non in Delta State politics,” Okotie said.

According to the right activist, the list of Senator Okowa’s campaign team depicts that he is a detribalized politician.