Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state has finally put to rest the rumour milling round town that he may have dropped his deputy governor, Kingsley Otuaro, insisting that Otuaro remains his running mate in his re-election bid for 2019.
The governor disclosed this at Ogbe-Ijoh, headquarters of Warri South West Local Government Area when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flagged off the local government chairmanship campaign in the area.
The POINTER reports that Okowa said Mr. Otuaro who is from Warri South West has remained a reliable deputy governor from 2015 till date and thanked the people of the local government for their support for his administration.
To the people of Aladja, Isaba and Ogbe-Ijoh, Mr. Okowa advised them to sheathe communal crisis that has rocked the communities for many years, stressing that government will not hesitate to take decisive action against any action that will jeopardise his peace agenda.
He urged the people to keep faith with the PDP in the January 6, 2018 local government elections and the 2019 general elections, emphasising that his SMART Agenda will definitely affect all parts of the state positively.
Also speaking, the state Deputy Governor, Kingsley Otuaro said that Warri South-West has remained a stronghold of PDP since 1999 till date, emphasising that the local government has always given the party the highest votes among councils in the country.
Mr. Otuaro said that Delta State was lucky to have Okowa as a governor in this time of economic recession, adding that the governor’s high level of prudence and administrative acumen has helped in the human capital and infrastructural development of the state.
He said that the mammoth crowd at the campaign flag-off was a clear indication that the party was on growth and will give 90 per cent votes to the PDP candidates.
Otuaro challenged the candidates to ensure that they put the interest of the people above self interest when they get into office. The state deputy governor also called on the people to double their efforts in order to ensure landslide victory at the forthcoming local government council election in Delta State.
Meanwhile, Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa expressed sadness over the demise of retired Deputy Inspector General of Police and elder statesman, Donald Ugbaja.
Governor Okowa, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, described the late Ugbaja as a complete gentleman, a thorough bred officer, who contributed his own quota to serving his country and humanity.
The governor while commiserating with the family of the late elder statesman urged them to uphold the ideals he stood for, saying that the nation will continue to draw inspiration from his life and times.
“His demise at this time is not only painful but regrettable, adding “The late Ugbaja paid his dues and has left his footprints on the sands of time.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of DIG Donald Ugbaja, the people of Igbodo community and the Ika nation on this great and irreparable loss. He was a pride to the Ika nation and we will surely miss him,” Okowa said.
