The Governor of
Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has urged members of the Peoples’ Democratic
Party (PDP) to bring back those who had intentions of leaving the party and
also, win members of other political parties to the PDP.
Okowa made the
call today (21/07/17) in Asaba, at a stakeholders meeting of the People’s
Democratic Party (PDP), to celebrate the victory of the Ahmed Makarfi led
caretaker committee at the Supreme court.
Deputy Governor
Burutu Otuaro, immediate past state Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan and other leaders
attended the meeting.
“Please, reach
out to our brothers and sisters to come back to the Party, we should be more
united and stronger; don’t drive anybody away, this is the time to call on
members of other political parties, including members of the APC (All
Progressive Congress) to come and join us; it is the PDP that Nigerians want,
it is a party that will give power back to the people; there is no more faction
in our party, we are all one,” the Governor stated, adding, “the Supreme Court
judgement was a victory for democracy, it will bring about credible opposition
and make the government of the moment to sit up and do the right thing for the
people; as an individual, I never contemplated that we were going to lose and I
have remained steadfast in the party as a true party man.”
He
congratulated members of the PDP on the Supreme Court judgement, saying, “I
want to congratulate all of us for the victory at the Supreme Court; I am
surprised at the large turn-out of people for this meeting, this is not a
political rally, it is a party meeting but, I am impressed with our conduct and
our turn out.”
The Governor
used the occasion to call on Deltans who are 18 years and above to ensure that
they are captured in the on-going voters registration exercise by the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He expressed
confidence that the PDP will emerge victorious in the 2019 general elections,
stating that the registration exercise was a sure way for people to participate
in the elections.
While expressing
hope that more Deltans who have not registered will participate in the
exercise, Governor Okowa emphasised, “as at the close of the first quarter,
Delta State has done very well, but, we have to do more for us to vote in
future elections.”
He also, urged
political office holders not to relent in their empowerment programmes but,
insisted that such empowerment programmes should be sustainable, stating that
while those who have businesses should be empowered to do better in their
chosen fields, those who are jobless should be trained to acquire skills and
equipped to practice what they have learnt.
Former Governor
Emmanuel Uduaghan at the occasion said, “congratulations for the victory at the
Supreme Court, it was a victory for democracy, it was a victory for all of us.”
He disclosed
that for the PDP to remain stronger, political appointees should strengthen the
party by spreading dividends of democracy, stating, “if you are holding
political position, the only way we can build our party is to spread democratic
dividends; Governor Okowa has done excellently well and you should not run down
the government, especially if you are holding a political office.”
The Governor
urged those who are aspiring to take over from Governor Okowa from other
political parties’ platform to desist from telling lies against the government
but, concentrate on issues.
In their
separate speeches, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon.
Leo Ogor; the Chairman of the PDP in the South South geo-political region, Bro.
Emmanuel Ogidi; among others expressed confidence that with the Supreme Court
judgement, the winning streak of the PDP has been rekindled.
They urged
members of the party to remain focused and committed to the ideals of the
party.
Earlier in a welcome speech, the Chairman of the PDP in the
state, Barr. Kingsley Esiso had told the PDP faithful who thronged the venue of
the meeting that the event was to inform them of the outcome of the legal
tussle involving members of the party, saying, “some few months back, our party
faced some challenges and we moved from one court to the other but, God in His
infinite mercy, delivered us through the Supreme Court; we are here to inform
you about that victory; the victory is for Nigeria and in 2019, PDP will go
back to Aso Rock in Abuja; PDP is a family, so, those who had intentions of
leaving the party, bring them back to the family, we must remain united.”
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