Ex-Governor Okowa declares interest in Delta North Senate seat
Former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has formally declared his intention to vie for the Delta North senatorial ticket. Okowa said his bid to return to the National Assembly followed
Former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has formally declared his intention to vie for the Delta North senatorial ticket.
Okowa said his bid to return to the National Assembly followed the requests of his constituents to represent them again in the Red Chamber.
The ex-governor said he had accepted the calls and was ready to contest the Delta North senatorial seat in next year’s general election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Okowa announced his intention at the weekend when he hosted a high-powered delegation of political leaders from the Delta North Senatorial District, popularly called Anioma at his Asaba residence. The delegation members said they were at Okowa’s residence to persuade him to run for the Senate.
The delegation, led by Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, comprised former and serving members of the National Assembly, senior government officials, and influential political stakeholders from the nine local government areas in the senatorial district.
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Before the visit, the leaders had met at the deputy governor’s lodge, where they deliberated on the political future of the district and resolved to present a unified appeal to the former governor.
The Anioma leaders expressed dissatisfaction with what they called the current declining quality of representation at the Senate.
They argued that the district required a more experienced and influential voice that could attract federal presence and effectively articulate the interests of the Anioma people at the national level.
A formal motion urging Okowa to contest the Senate seat was moved by former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, and seconded by a serving member of the House, Nnamdi Ezechi.
The motion received unanimous approval from the gathering.
Other prominent figures who supported the appeal included former federal lawmakers and political leaders from across the district. They described Okowa as a seasoned administrator, consensus builder, and bridge between diverse political interests.
The delegation maintained that Okowa’s experience as a former governor and erstwhile senator placed him in a strong position to deliver effective representation and restore the district’s influence at the federal level.
Responding, Okowa said he was surprised by the visit and deeply moved by the show of unity and confidence reposed in him by the leaders and the people of Anioma.
The former governor noted that given the calibre of personalities involved and the collective nature of the appeal, he could not ignore the call.
“I feel very loved and honoured by this show of support. For the calibre of persons here and the unity of purpose demonstrated, I have no choice but to accept,” he said.
The former governor reflected on his long-standing political relationship with the Anioma people, recalling their support during his successful bid for the Senate in 2011 and later during his governorship election in 2015.
He promised to rely on their collective strength to follow through on the 2027 senatorial contest.
Okowa apologised to the people of the district for what he called a “mistake” in supporting the current senator representing Delta North.
“As I accept your request, this is not about me alone. It is a collective project. We will run it together and, by the grace of God, we will win together. I will not disappoint you,” he added.
Also, Onyeme assured Okowa of the unwavering support of political leaders and other stakeholders across the district, describing the proposed senatorial bid as a shared mission aimed at repositioning Delta North for greater relevance in national politics.
No fewer than 50 political leaders from across the nine local government areas of the senatorial district were present at the meeting.
