Ibori makes appearance at Delta PDP campaign finale, says “this is the turn of Anioma”

Erstwhile Delta State governor, Chief James Ibori on Friday make public appearance at the packed full PDP campaign rally held at Owa-Oyibu, Ika North-East local government area of Delta State, home of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Ibori used the occasion to reiterate his commitment to Okowa reelection bid, urging other senatorial district to tally a while for the next four years and support Governor Okowa to complete two terms.

Curiously, Ibori was no-show on Thursday at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), presidential campaign rally held at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba the state capital.

Ibori, who remains a very influential political figure in Delta State and among the first founding fathers of the PDP, was nowhere near the mega rally when the party’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar campaign train berthed at the state.

It was not clear why he stayed away from the PDP presidential campaign on Thursday but appeared at the grand finale of the party’s governorship campaign the next day.

Speaking at the well-attended rally which is the last by the PDP campaign council after a tour of 25 local government councils, Chief James Ibori specifically appealed to Delta Central senatorial district to allow Okowa to complete two terms.

Chief Great Ogboru, the All Progressive Congress, APC governorship candidate who is challenging Okowa for the plum job is an Urhobo, from Delta Central senatorial district.

Ibori said, “we will continue to say it, this is the turn of Anioma, we will support him (Governor Okowa) to complete two terms; all our brothers and sisters in Delta Central should, please, give peace a chance, they should tarry a while for the next four years and support Governor Okowa to complete two terms.

“Mr Governor (Governor Okowa), the Urhobos are solidly behind your second term, you have done very well,” Chief Ibori added.

Others who spoke at the rally restated their commitment to the re-election of Governor Okowa in line with zoning principles started by the PDP administration.

Governor Okowa at the event, expressed gratitude to Deltans for coming out in their large numbers at the campaign rallies, observing that the rotational principle has cemented the bond of unity in the state.

The governor who largely laced his speech in Ika language, stated, “I am happy with the crowd that I am seeing here today; God bless Ika nation, God bless Deltans for this show of solidarity; in our state, no one is talking about any other political party, it is all about the PDP.

“I thank our leaders for the support, in every part of Delta State, we have no fear because, we have agreed on turn-by-turn, zoning has made us to be more patient, happier, more united and living in peace,” the governor said,

Continuing, he said, “we have agreed as a people that we have done very well in the area of road construction, we have empowered our youths, assisted our women and now, I am more experienced, we have more money and the next four years will be better, we shall triple what we have done; cast your votes for all the candidates of the PDP and protect your votes because, it is democratic to do so.”

Also speaking, Deputy Governor Kingsley Otuaro thanked Deltans for resolving to zone political offices, assuring that Governor Okowa will do better in the next four years.

Others who spoke at the rally include former Minister of Information who is the Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, Director-General of the Campaign Council, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, Prince Sam Obi, and the Chairman of the party in the state, Barr. Kingsley Esiso. 

They all observed that Governor Okowa has done very well to earn second term in office and based on the rotation principles of the PDP, Deltans will massively vote for the candidates of the party.

Before the grand finale of the campaign which was also, attended by traditional rulers, Agbor, Ika South local government area of Delta State had played host to the campaign team where Governor Okowa thanked the people for their support which has led to the execution of projects in the area, assuring them that the next four years will be better.