The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has flagged of its campaigns for the general elections billed to hold in the month of February and March this year with Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State thanking the people for their support which he says will bring about unprecedented development in the next four years.
Governor Okowa who addressed PDP faithful who turned out for the flag off ceremony Friday at the Oghara Township Stadium, Oghara, Ethiope West local government area of the State observed that his administration recorded a lot of achievements as a result of the support and cooperation of Deltans.
“I thank all Deltans for the votes cast for us in 2015, together, we have crossed the very difficult times, our collective efforts have been recognised nationally and internationally, we have delivered on our promises. As we move into the next level, we will continue to grow prosperity, but, I cannot do it alone, working with you, all Deltans, we will build a stronger Delta that we will be proud of and others will emulate; what we need is cooperation and peaceful environment.”
“from the Presidency to the House of Assembly, we will have to deliver all our candidates; I offer myself for debate because, it is not enough for All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate to come out and say he wants to be governor and relying on thugs or run to Lagos after every election. I am going into the election, together with all Deltans and we will win in every local government area of the state, Deltans are happy.
“Delta State is a peaceful state; let us take the message from house to house, talk to everybody, so that before the election, all Deltans will belong to the PDP, tell them about what we have done, what we are doing and what we will do.
“When we said we were going to create jobs, people thought we were joking but, through the Job Creation office, we have created over 20, 000 jobs, we are organising business fare for beneficiaries of our entrepreneurial programmes, we have revamped technical colleges, all the courses in our Polytechnics have been accredited, because of peace, our state has moved from number four to number one in oil production.
“This is the only state in the federation that has awarded more than 350 road projects, we are constructing drainages to check flood and in the course of this year, we will start drainage projects in Effurun/Warri axis of which we have made budgetary provision for to the tune of N3 Billion; we have constructed over 4, 738 classrooms; we have awarded contract for the renovation of the Teaching hospital; we are the first state in the country to start health insurance scheme of which we have captured the formal sector and already enrolling the informal sector.”
In his speech, the state deputy governor, Kingsley Otuaro said, “the time has come again for us to do it the way we have been doing since 1999. The re-election of Governor Okowa is our challenge; I have no question in my mind that you (Governor Okowa) have done very well, I can say that without equivocation, you have done exceedingly well; you are competent, capable, knowledgeable and have the capacity to govern the state for another four years; you (Governor Okowa) deserve another term, I am indeed very pleased with you, your achievements,”
In his welcome address, the Director General of the Okowa campaign organization, Funkekeme Solomon, said, “we are here to celebrate God; our Governor has done well and we are here to appeal to Deltans to vote for all the candidates of the PDP.”
Other leaders of the party who spoke at the campaign rally, includes former Governor James Ibori, former Deputy Governors Amos Utuama and Benjamin Elue, Senator Patrick Osakwe, Senator Stella Omu, Dr Rolland Orisejafor, Dr Steve Oru, Chairman of the Campaign Council, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, Chairman of the party in the state, Barr. Kingsley Esiso, among others, gave reasons why Deltans will re-elect Governor Okowa and called for massive support to governor Okowa and all PDP candidates.
High point of the event which was attended by Nollywood Stars, representatives of National Association of Nigerian Students and other interest groups was the presentation of flags to the candidates of the party for the Senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats.
