The Delta State Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Forum said current persecution of former Governor of the state, Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, was driven by the fear of opposition and mischief makers of his rising profile.
Speaking during a solidarity visit to the former governor at his Asaba residence on Thursday, the group’s spokesman, Comrade Ovie Umuakpo, said that recourse to petitions and media trial against Okowa was because of the politics of 2027.
Umuakpor commended the former governor for his achievements during his tenure and pledged that the group would remain loyal and committed to his leadership.
He said: “Delta Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders have come here in solidarity with you because of what we recently read in the news that was widely circulated by the opposition.
“We want to state categorically that the opposition are afraid of your towering personality across the nation, and they are only afraid of 2027.
“They are afraid that if they leave Okowa, the Chief Strategist, untamed, they will have problems in 2027 because of the way and manner they have mismanaged Nigeria’s economy.
“They are also worried about how they have bastardised their relationship with the North, and they are doing everything to harvest as many votes as possible by bringing down opposition figures to boost their base in the south against 2027.
“You are a big tree that has produced other trees that provide shield to many persons; so, cutting down such a tree will be a very difficult task in Nigeria’s politics of today.
“We are here to tell you that we heard what happened and are here to reassure you that we remain with you through thick and thin.
“We know that what is happening is an attempt to witch-hunt you, to weaken our strength ahead of 2027, but unfortunately for them, it has bolstered our chances and we will win again in 2027, with you leading the charge. As a group, we remain committed and loyal to you because you did well in office.”
The group recalled Okowa’s outstanding efforts at changing the neglected landscape of coastal communities in the state, describing it as unparalleled.
According to Umuakpo, with what you did in the riverside areas, it will be very difficult for any governor not to consolidate on some of these gains because you have laid a very strong foundation for Delta State.
“You are our leader not only in Delta but within the South-South region, and we are making every effort to make sure that you become a national leader in this country.
“You are a moving train, and whether they like it or not, they can’t stop you, and any attempt to stop you, God will stop them.
“All you did while in office was in the best interest of the state. You built three new universities to accommodate our youths seeking admission.
“You built a world-class state Secretariat that now accommodates all civil servants. You constructed roads in the state through judicious use of resources.
“Therefore, outsiders cannot come and tell us what we know in our state, and like we said some years ago that wherever you go, we will go, we still stand by it.
“You have become our political compass, and when you lead, we will follow. So our message to you is worry not because we are behind you at all times,” he said.
Responding, Okowa thanked the youth leaders for their support throughout his tenure and for also supporting the Oborevwori administration.
He stated that he was not bothered about the media trials because he did nothing wrong, explaining that he was not worried “because I am a politician and every politician must develop thick skin.”
According to Okowa, you are afraid when you have done something wrong, so there is no cause to fear. The EFCC has a right to investigate following due process, and I have nothing to fear concerning such investigations.
“The fact is that some persons who are unkind to themselves and unkind to Delta State have decided to write the petition and engage in media trial.
“I would have been happier if they had been more reasonable with the lies they told. They told lies on issues and situations that are not practicable.
“When they say someone misappropriated N1.3 trillion, it does not make sense because how much truly came to the state? Is it even possible to take such funds?
“It is for the EFCC to carry out their investigations, and I can assure you that we tried as much to be decent and followed the laws of governance in our state,” he said.
While appreciating the youths and other stakeholders for their support, the former governor said many people would currently not appreciate the progress made in establishing three new universities during his tenure.
“I am proud of it, but many people will not see its benefits. It’s generational because, as at today, we have over 30,000 undergraduates in those new universities.
“They would have been outside seeking admissions at very high costs. This session alone, the three universities admitted over 11,000 students and imagine if that number was seeking admission outside the state?
“Imagine what the costs would be to their parents, and many of them wouldn’t have qualified because of the quota system the outside universities use.
“Before now, people were even selling their houses in Asaba because of flood, but today its no longer the same. It took us over 18 months to understudy it and construct the storm drainages, and I thank God that Governor Oborevwori is completing the ones we started in Warri,” he added.
Okowa disclosed that the seeming tension in the state was a creation of mischief makers who “are worried about their inability to occupy political space in Delta.
“They will do their best, but whatever they are doing is not leading them anywhere because in the last two weeks, I know the level of support that we have gotten.
“I was just in my corner, but they have just awakened the politics in me. What they thought would bring me down has actually increased the support for me.
“They already know that they have failed because as far as I am concerned, our political family remains intact, and we will continue to stay strong together with your support.”
