Delta: Okowa declares senatorial bid

Immediate past governor of Delta, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has formally declared his interest in contesting the Delta North senatorial election.

This comes after he bowed to pressure from various groups, including over 50 high-profile political leaders from the nine local government areas in the zone.

They gathered at his residence in Asaba over the weekend to urge him to seek the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the Senate in the 2027 general elections.

The leaders, which included both former and current National Assembly members, top government officials, and politicians, were led by the Deputy Governor of the State, Sir Monday Onyeme.

Prior to visiting Okowa’s residence, the group met at the deputy governor’s lodge, where they reached a resolution to encourage Okowa to contest the Senate seat.

During the meeting, concerns were raised about the quality of representation currently being provided to the district in the Senate. A motion was moved by former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, and seconded by current member of the House, Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi, proposing that Okowa return to the Senate. This motion was unanimously approved.

Speaking on behalf of the leaders, prominent figures including Chief Chris Agbobu, a former minister from Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Chief Emma Onyiuku (Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency), and Hon. Doris Uboh, former House of Representatives member from Ika Federal Constituency, urged Okowa to accept the call to represent Delta North in the Senate.

The leaders described the former governor as a seasoned administrator and consensus builder whose experience remains vital for effective representation at the federal level.

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At his residence, Okowa, who was surprised and overwhelmed with emotion on the visit and the demand of the people on him, said, “I heed your call. I feel very loved and honoured, and I have no choice than to accept.”

He apologised to the Anioma people for what he described as the “mistake” of having been instrumental in the emergence of the incumbent senator representing the district.

He recalled how he was supported by Anioma people in the build-up to his election to the Senate in 2011, which he won, adding that he enjoyed the same measure from the people when he contested and won the governorship election in 2015.

“As I accept your request for me to run for the Senate seat, we’ll run it together and win together. I will not disappoint you.

“The statement all of you have just made here is not for today; it’s a statement for the future of our people, and I thank you for being thoughtful and concerned for our people”, he said.

In his remark, the deputy governor assured Okowa of the support of all the leaders and Anioma people, saying “it’s our collective project”.