IT was a day that will be remembered for many decades and generations.

A day that the campaign team of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, was reassured from the mammoth crowds that the ruling will win the 2015 general elections in Isokoland despite initial misgivings and anger that the oil-producing ethnic nationality was not given the deputy governorship slot.

The tribe’s umbrella body, Isoko Development Union (IDU), had warned that it would not support any party that did not give it the slot. Consequently, it became apparent that it would be an uphill task to assuage the Isoko people’s hurt feelings especially since the Ogboru-led Labour Party had picked his running mate from the tribe who is a former IDU president-general.

However, those who knew that the situation could still be turned around did not lose hope because of the presence of grassroots politicians in the PDP who had done much over the years to empower the people through projects, policies and programmes that created jobs and many other opportunities. Such politicians include State SSG Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, Senator Stella Omu, State PDP Secretary Chief Solomon Ogba and State Revenue Board Chief Joel Thomas-Onowakpo, who are playing various roles (such as heavy mobilization at the grassroots) in the campaigns.

Before Okowa’s team arrived in the Isoko towns of Ozoro and Oleh as part of efforts by the party to ensure that he wins the governorship race, these respected politicians with mass followership had worked day and night to ensure that a massive crowd of PDP loyalists and leaders in Isokoland were on ground to welcome him and his entourage. Many groups (such as Itihikpebe) that had also worked tirelessly were also represented.   The Oleh stadium was a beehive of activities as different groups of supporters carrying the placards of their respective candidates thronged the VIP area singing and dancing.

The noise of party activities was so intensive that when Okowa and his running mate, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, arrived at the stadium in the company of their wives, they were barely noticed until the master of ceremonies, Ogba, announced the arrival of the “governor in waiting”.   Isoko PDP leaders who spoke including Stella Omu and a host of others assured Okowa that people of the oil-producing ethnic nationality would vote for him. Omu particularly urged Okowa to have the unflinching belief that Isoko would give him and President Goodluck Jonathan 100 per cent vote next month. She, therefore, urged all Isoko PDP loyalists to work hard to ensure that the party wins the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and state assembly elections.

Okowa promised to end the political marginalisation of Isoko people by carrying them along in his government. He promised strategic wealth creation through projects and jobs for all Deltans. On his part, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has called on the people of Mbiri, Ika North East Council to vote massively for President Jonathan, Dr.Okowa and other PDP candidates. Speaking at the commissioning of the rehabilitated 7.8 kilometres Umunede-Mbiri Road, he enjoined them to collect their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) on which basis they can vote at the polls.