By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq
#eacgovdelta
The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, stipulated four years in office for an elected governor to display his or her visionary leadership and impact the state and people, allowing the electorates who are the masters to determine whether or not the governor deserve another four years through another round of elections.
It is only when a governor is reelected that he/she can remain in office for another four years, making a total of eight years. However, no Governor is allowed third term in office, no matter how good or bad he or she may be. Therefore, third term is alien to the constitution and no man, no matter how powerful and influential can remain in office after two tenures.
It follows that the good people of Delta State, cannot have their “Road Master” and “Political mathematician,” Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, CON, beyond two tenures that will obviously terminate on May 29, and as soon as the incoming governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, JP, signs the Oath of office and of Allegiance legal documents before the Chief Judge of Delta State.
Therefore, the “Ekwueme” must of a necessity take a bow and bid farewell to Government House Asaba, as the state’s number one citizen; a position he held passionately for eight (rewarding and result oriented) years as the 3rd Executive Governor of Delta State, in this segment of constitutional democracy which began in 1999.
Okowa came prepared, and had in his eight years in office, men and women of aristocratic dignity, professionals and experienced technocrats who helped in multifaceted ways to ensure the huge success of both the S.M.A.R.T and STRONGER Delta agendas, which no doubt facilitated socioeconomic and infrastructure growth and development across the three senstorial districts; Delta North, Delta Central and Delta South, respectively.
The outgoing governor constructed over 2,500 kilometres of roads, 1,500 kilometres of drains, bridges, built Africa’s largest floating market in Warri North Local Government Area, built and equipped the best State Secretariat in Asaba, upgraded and concession Asaba International Airport, which has grown to become one of the busiest commercial hubs in Nigeria, built Olympic mega size Stephen Keshi International Stadium, a multi billion Naira Flood underground tunnel which transports flood water into River Niger, leaving Asaba and it’s environs clean and dry.
Governor Okowa added three Universities to the list of higher institutions of learning in the state, thereby expanded admissions possibilities for young school leavers seeking admission into Universities. He built and equipped Technical Colleges, about ten of them, and it is hoped that the incoming governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, will complete the rest in realization of Okowa’s vision of one LGA to a Technical College, to further boost vocational training, job and wealth creation, to complement Rysa, Step, Yagep and Project GEST for Girls, in raising successful young entrepreneurs who would in the near future spearhead economic revolution of the state.
The list is endless, and Gov Okowa will be leaving Government House fulfilled, because of the huge impact he created in all aspects of the state economy and in the political power game at both state and national levels.
He’s the first Deltan to emerge as Vice Presidential Candidate of Africa’s largest political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He will be remembered for his “big heart” and “sophisticated doggedness” in springing surprises and getting astonishing results in the realms of governance and political electioneering management.
As governor of Edo State, H.E. Godwin Obaseki, rightly stated at the Valedictory Dinner on May 21, “History will be kind to Governor Okowa, a Unifier par excellence.”
One thing is sure, Deltans will not have any reason to miss their “Road Master,” because the very man he personally tutored and groomed for leadership is going to step into his big shoes on May 29, in the person of the indefatigable Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly cum Governor-Elect, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, JP. He’s the overall best graduating student of Okowa Leadership Academy, the most trusted and reliable of them all, a man with excessive local content with remarkable street credibility. He’s the traditional title holder of “Ukodo of Okpe Kingdom,” a philanthropist and a super grassroots politician.
His Excellency, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, is coming on board prepared, armed with the M.O.R.E agenda, which was deliberately crafted and adopted by Deltans to build on the good governance strides and monumental achievements of Gov Okowa. It’s to bring about meaningful development, provide opportunity for all Deltans, ensure realistic reforms and consolidate on peace building and enhanced security for the state and residents.
Oborevwori administration will not only take Delta State to the next higher level of economic growth and infrastructure development, but will surpass the multifaceted achievements of governor Okowa, judging from the result oriented partnership between the executive and the legislature in the past six years, which greatly facilitated the huge success of both the SMART and STRONGER DELTA mantras of the outgoing governor.
Oborevwori is well grounded in leadership and quality service delivery, and as a top member of government, number three citizen who played positive and strategic roles in governance by leading a vibrant team of lawmakers to pass bills signed into Law. These Laws invariably empowered governor Okowa legally to deliver the dividends of democracy to the good people of the state via the S.M.A.R.T and STRONGER Delta agendas.
The M.O.R.E. mantra of Oborevwori connotes more socioeconomic and infrastructure growth and development across the three senatorial districts; more job and wealth creation for a teeming youths, more quality health care, more Bursary and scholarships for students, more good roads, more bridges, more schools, more hospitals, more in the agricultural sector, more mega and star projects in strategic cities and the State capital, more opportunities for Deltans through realistic reforms, more for the traditional institutions, more for the Church of God through interdenominational partnership with government, more pilgrims for pilgrimages, more good governance generally, et al.
It follows that the end of Okowability is the beginning of sherrification. May 29 signifies the emergence of a new style of leadership within the same political structure and family, and Deltans shall be the major beneficiaries of the “Sheriffied good governance and strategic Innovations” in Delta State.
Keep a date with God’s divine grace, come celebrate the grace carrier himself, Rt Hon Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, JP, and his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, as they are inaugurated as the 4th Executive Governor and 4th Deputy Governor of Delta State on May 29, at Stephen Keshi International Stadium.
God bless Delta State.
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