By LAJA THOMAS
Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, former Secretary to Government of Delta State (SSG) is the Delta North senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming April election.

In this interactive session with newsmen in Lagos, he explains the significance of his emergence in the face of not just opposition but internal conspiracy which forced a re-run of the primary he had won in a landslide victory. He also outlines his plan of action if he wins the April election.

The PDP primary for Delta North Senatorial District was held twice. You won the first and then even more emphatically the second time. Could you just tell us the significance of these victories to you?

In the first place I want to give thanks to God for all that He did to ensure my victory at both primaries. It was obvious that the people of Delta North Senatorial District, were united in this partnership with me and they felt I was the best foot forward to go the senate to represent them. On January 11, despite all odds, because the primary was supposed to hold on the 10th, on the 11th, we had to start in the evening, the people were committed they came out and cast their votes and I won overwhelmingly; recording well over 80 percent of the votes while other four other aspirants came behind.

That exercise was televised life and the whole world saw it and I thought we had done our best. I got congratulatory messages from my colleagues who were there and also my INEC forms from the party. I want to thank the National Working Committee of the party for upholding justice. But somehow we did learn again on January 27 that there ought to be a rerun on the 28. It came as a rude shock.

But somehow it did not hold and all the people were there but it did not hold. But on the 29, it did take place even when INEC had spoken that after the 15th it was not going to take any result. So on the 29th we were there on the field and this time I came out with a much wider margin because most of the aspirants had stepped down for me. So we were only just two in the race –  Dr (Mrs) Mariam Alli amd myself. It is now history and we give glory to God.

One thing I did see in that primary of 29th is the fact that Delta North stood together as one family, united, speaking with one voice and the people were not intimidated or tired or discouraged. They were determined to cast their votes and we thank God for everything. I want to also thank God for the integrity of those who were asked to come and conduct the primary. They were not intimidated, they were firm and did what was right and just. For that I must thank the leadership of the party, especially Alhaji Haliru Bello Mohammed, and all members of the NWC for sending a credible panel which was determined to do justice to all irrespective of whosoever ox is gored.

All this happened against the background of what had been described as ‘a huge conspiracy’ against your ambition. What do you think about this.

Politics has different faces. People have different plots. Some are looking at the present, others are looking beyond now. But the interesting thing is that the large majority of the people of Delta North were resolved early enough, who they wanted to send to the Senate. It was very obvious because right from the time I did my consultative meeting as far back as May last year, before I resigned as Secretary to the State Government, there was wide acceptance of my person and that was what made me resign early enough to pursue my campaigns.

And I was quite confident as we moved on that the Grace of God was upon me because the people really responded in a very astounding manner. But as we move forward it was glaring that some people had their own candidates and were prepared to use their own connections in Abuja and within the party in the state. But I was resolved too that I want to represent my people in Abuja hoping  and believing that my people will cast their votes for me and I get reassured by the day that they people were willing and ready to cast their votes.

So despite all the challenges, all kinds of stories flying left, right and centre, once the people are with you and they have a strong resolve which actually was what we witnessed throughout, it is difficult to go against the collective will of the people. Therefore, the one major lesson we have learnt is that when the people come together, no power can stop them, no amount of narrow and parochial conspiracy or the level of intimidation because will always be with them once they have agreed on what to do that will positively change their lives.

What would you say is responsible for this level of popularity and support among your people?

Actually, I have been with them for so long. I started my politics at the grassroots; I was secretary of council; I was elected chairman of council and I have been with them and helped to form the PDP in the state. And in fact of all of us who aspired to this position, I was the only founding member of the party. And in the last 11 years I have been around and in various ministries and as a Secretary to the State Government.