By Emma Amaize & Festus Ahon

ASABA—Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has congratulated the state’s governor-elect, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, saying that the victory has affirmed the performance and supremacy of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.

Speaking in Asaba when Okowa and party faithful paid him a  ‘thank you visit,’ Uduaghan noted that the victory was also traceable to the unity of Deltans, who all participated to  ensure that the party triumphed.

Meanwhile, in a statement in Asaba, yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sunny Ogefere, the governor commended members of the PDP in the state as well as the electorate for renewing their faith and trust in the PDP to pilot the affairs of the state for the next four years.

Uduaghan thanked Deltans for their peaceful conduct during and after the elections and assured that development strides in the state under Okowa will be rapid, peaceful and progressive.

Reacting to his victory, Senator Okowa said there was no victor no vanquished in the election which he described as peaceful and credible.

Promising to carry everybody along in his government, Okowa said he will build on the legacies of Governor Uduaghan. He added that his election was a victory for all Deltans and commended Deltans for the confidence they reposed in him by electing him as their governor. He also promised to extend hands of fellowship to his opponents.

“We are particularly impressed that you debunked the unholy rumour that was spreading like wild fire concerning your Excellency’s commitment to PDP’s victory.

“We will be loyal to you and to our leaders, including Chief James  Ibori.  Chief Ibori and Dr. Uduaghan remain the real leaders of the PDP in Delta State. We will remain as a family, no matter the issues leading up to the elections. It is time to put those issues behind us and chart a way forward,” he said.

The deputy governor-elect, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, Dr. Joseph Otumara, and Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, Director- General and Chairman, PDP Campaign Organisation respectively, in their addresses commended Governor Uduaghan for his support and co-operation in ensuring the electoral victory of the party, noting that the governor was leaving behind a lot of legacies particularly those of peace and unity for the state.

Also reacting, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr Steve Oru, said that the election of the PDP candidate was a testimony of the party’s good works in the state.

Congratulating Okowa on his electoral victory, Oru thanked Deltans for their overwhelming support for the PDP and restated that the PDP was the only party that could address the needs of the people of the state.

Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr Ovuozorie Macaulay,  said the election was the most credible in recent times and rejoiced with Senator Okowa on his victory.

On his part, Olorogun John Oguma expressed gratitude to God for the election of Okowa as governor of the state, describing the election as free and fair.

Candidate of the Advanced Congress of Democrats, ACD, Dr Breakforth Onwubuya, who came fourth in the poll, said the exercise was free, fair and credible.

Saying that the election was transparent and an improvement on previous elections, Onwubuya urged Senator Okowa to be magnanimous in victory and ensure that the confidence reposed in him by the electorate was not misplaced as soon as he is sworn-in as governor. He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the peaceful conduct of the election.

Also, Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Area, Mr. Itiako Constantine and the former Chairman of Oshimili North council, Chief Tony Ogbo, congratulateded Senator Okowa on his victory.

While Ogbo also commended the people of Akwukwu-Igbo/Atuma and the entire people of Oshimili North for supporting the House of Assembly member-elect for Oshimili North Constituency,  Pat Ajudua, Mr Ikpokpo, commended Johnson Erijo and Dame Orezi Esievo for their emergence as members-elect of the Delta State House of Assembly in Isoko South constituencies I and II respectively.