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From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
The former Principal Secretary to the former Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Dr Hilary Ibegbulem, has taken a swipe at the former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Engr Victor Ochei, over a purported diatribe against Okowa.
Reacting to a controversial interview credited to Ochei, Ibegbulem dismissed allegations of political impunity, nepotism, and alienation levelled against the former governor, describing them as “misleading narratives” designed to advance personal ambition.
Ochei had fired a salvo against Okowa over his APC Delta North senatorial candidacy, describing his opposition as a fight against “political impunity”. He alleged that the current Delta State governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, had previously tried to persuade him not to run against Okowa.
However, in an article he authored, Ibegbulem sharply countered the narrative, stating that Governor Oborevwori’s intervention was not an admission of Ochei’s electoral strength but rather a reflection of a shared consensus that Okowa remains the most qualified candidate.
“Senator Okowa’s public service record is one that few politicians can rival,” Ibegbulem said, pointing to Okowa’s history as a medical doctor, local government chairman, commissioner, Secretary to the State Government, and two-term governor.
“It is curious that anyone would seek to diminish such a distinguished record,” he contended.
Ibegbulem specifically took a swipe at Ochei’s allegations that Okowa was attempting to monopolise Delta politics by fielding his daughter and an alleged in-law for elective positions.
Setting the record straight regarding the 2027 race for the Ika Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat, Ibegbulem clarified that the APC candidate, Mr Emmanuel Osazuwa, has absolutely no family ties to Okowa.
Osazuwa, he noted, is an indigene of Oza-Nogogo (Ika South), and his wife is from Osun State.
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“There is no blood relationship or affinity between Okowa and the candidate,” Ibegbulem said, querying why Ochei was attempting to act as a self-appointed spokesman for constituencies he does not represent.
Ibegbulem maintained that in the 2014 PDP primaries, Ochei reportedly rejected a compromise deal to run for the Senate and instead insisted on contesting the governorship primary against Okowa, pointing out that after losing, he defected to the Accord Party to run for the Senate, where he suffered a crushing defeat.
“He was defeated by the late Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, winning only his local government area while losing the remaining eight by substantial margins,” Ibegbulem noted, questioning whether Ochei’s motives have ever truly been about the collective interest of Delta North.
“In 2014, I’m aware that Ochei was invited to a meeting where a highly respected leader from the Niger Delta region and indeed Nigeria encouraged him to contest for the Delta North Senatorial seat under the then ruling party while supporting Senator Ifeanyi Okowa’s governorship aspiration. Senator Okowa was present at that meeting.
“Ochei declined that opportunity and instead chose to contest the governorship primary election against Senator Okowa. Following the outcome of that exercise, he subsequently left the party and contested for the Senate under the Accord Party platform. The outcome remains a matter of public record. He was defeated by the late Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, winning only his local government area while losing the remaining eight (8) local governments by substantial margins.”
Dismissing claims that Okowa has alienated his political allies, Ibegbulem argued that the former governor’s enduring influence across Delta State is proof of his deep-rooted goodwill.
“Ochei reportedly suggested that Senator Okowa alienated those who supported his political rise. The facts suggest otherwise. Many of the individuals who stood with Senator Okowa throughout his political journey continue to maintain cordial relationships with him today. His enduring influence across Delta State is itself evidence of the goodwill and loyalty he has cultivated over the years.”
He challenged Ochei to look inward regarding his own political relationships and structures, declaring that the electorate will ultimately decide based on capacity rather than rhetoric.
“Public discourse should be guided by facts rather than assumptions. Political debates are healthy for democracy, but they must be anchored on verifiable truths. The people deserve facts, not narratives constructed to fit predetermined conclusions,” the article reads.
