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From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
A youth coalition in Delta North has told former Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to prioritise clearing his name regarding ongoing investigations into public funds rather than seeking a return to the Nigerian Senate.
The group, known as the Delta North Youths Vanguard of Democratic Accountability, spoke during a press conference in Agbor, Delta State, yesterday.
Leaders of the coalition urged Okowa to address allegations being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) rather than focusing on electoral ambitions.
Representatives of the coalition, including Benjamin Atagama-Ofochi, Kingsley Kainehi and Mr. Agholor Okoh, emphasised the importance of integrity and accountability in leadership.
They also expressed concern over what they described as a pattern of political dominance within certain families, noting that multiple members of Okowa’s family are seeking elected office simultaneously.
The coalition pointed out that since the creation of Delta State in 1991, Okowa has held various public offices, including local government secretary, chairman, state commissioner roles, and the governorship, and was a senator before his tenure as governor.
“He was Secretary to the Ika Local Government Area, Chairman, Ika North-East Local Government Area, Commissioner, Delta State (1999–2006) for 7 years. He was Secretary to the Delta State Government (2007–2011) for 4 years. Senator, Delta North Senatorial District (2011–2015) for 4 years, Governor, Delta State (2015–2023) for 8 years, and emerged as PDP Vice Presidential Candidate 2023 General Election”.
While acknowledging Okowa’s political experience, the youths called for renewal and the emergence of new leadership that is energetic, transparent, and committed to public service.
They stressed that the era of political dynasties should give way to a more inclusive, democratic process.
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The group also highlighted the importance of anti-corruption efforts, aligning their stance with national priorities under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
They emphasised that credible leadership should be free of unresolved legal issues and highlighted concerns about past governance performance in Delta State.
“We appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,, to personally intervene and ensure that the party’s ticket for Delta North is not handed to Ifeanyi Okowa”, saying that the integrity of the APC, the credibility of the anti-corruption campaign, will be at stake.
Addressing the political process, the coalition urged party leaders, delegates, and stakeholders to ensure transparent and fair primaries that produce credible candidates.
They stated their intention to actively oppose any imposition of candidates they believe do not meet these standards.
“We pledge to vehemently, actively, and unitedly oppose Dr. Okowa’s attempt to return to the Senate. We are not his political subjects. We are freeborn citizens of a republic, and we will exercise every lawful democratic right available to us to resist this political imposition.
“We solemnly commit that if Dr. Okowa is given the APC senatorial ticket, the Coalition of Delta North Youths will mobilize extensively across all nine Local Government Areas of the Delta North Senatorial District, Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North-East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, and Ukwuani to ensure that he does not win. We did this against the PDP in 2023 over his vice-presidential nomination, and we are fully prepared to do it again.
The coalition urged Okowa to focus on resolving any ongoing investigations and to consider stepping aside from electoral pursuits until he clears his name, asserting that public trust and accountability should remain paramount in democratic contests.
“If he is truly innocent of the grave allegations involving the N1.3 trillion of public funds, then he has every opportunity to demonstrate this in a court of law. Only after exoneration should he consider returning to seek public trust.”
“We demand that the APC and all political stakeholders commit to a process of free, fair, and transparent primaries that allow credible, untainted candidates from across Delta North to emerge”, the statement added.
