DELTA 2015: My Honest Opinion – Elder Dr. Chukwuma Nwaonicha

Dr Ifeanyi Okowa

A one time governorship aspirant in Delta State, Elder Dr. Chukwuma Nwaonicha has during the week during a chat with Ika Weekly at Agbor spoke about the Delta State governship race in 2015. The elder statesman did not betray any emotion as he specifically chose Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as the best man for the job.

In his words, “in my honest opinion, Delta State governorship race in 2015 will be based on proven personality and integrity and not on the fact that Delta State is predominantly a People s Democratic Party, PDP state or through empty boasting by some aspirants who cannot even win the party nomination in their local government. These aspirants are only trying to make themselves relevant which is the beauty of democracy. However, as I observed 2015 election in Delta State is not for politicians that are rude, arrogant, unscrupulous, mischief makers and liars.

“With this in mind, a good and marketable candidate will win the governorship election in Delta State come 2015 irrespective of the candidate's party affiliation. There are many good and marketable candidates from Delta North. The ball is in the court of Anioma people to pick the best candidates among the aspirants because Deltans would vote for a candidate that has courage and competence to properly manage the state affairs, a highly placed individual that can promote unity among Delta ethnic divide.
Dr Nwaonicha said a good and marketable candidate is like a good product, adding “let Anioma people go for the best governorship candidate from Delta North. Promoting a bad candidate is like marketing a bad product, no matter the marketing strategy employed. I know for sure that PDP cannot afford to lose Delta State to another political party by picking a wrong and non-marketable governorship candidate at the primary. What I am saying is that a bad candidate is like a bad product, it is always difficult to sell, whether on sale or not, even in the black market or buy one get one free. This is what everyone or group trying to promote a governorship candidate from Delta North should have in mind. The way forward for Delta North is to pick a winning governorship candidate.”

He stated that Anioma people can produce a credible governor for Delta State come 2015 who can build and promote a stronger and united Delta State predicated on justice, equality and fair play. “As an Anioma indigene, a leader and a PDP stalwart in Ika South local- government, my position for Delta State Governorship election come 2015 is to produce: a governor that is responsive to the yelling and suffering of all Deltans, a governor that empowers women and youths; a governor that is visionary, creative and has ideas; a governor that listens to the masses and has an open door policy; not a governor that is interested in using the masses to achieve his or her own personal goal and interest or hidden agenda because sheep are happier of themselves than under the care of wolves; a governor that is humble and ready to work with all Deltans; a governor that will remedy the lack of economic and social developments in Delta State and take the state to a higher level; a governor that will embrace radical implementation of Delta State Public Works Program (DSPWP) that will create employment for millions of Delta State indigenes that are without work and finally a governor Deltans that we can describe as Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State. Some of those aspiring for governorship from Delta North have these attributes.

There are also many good candidates in other senatorial districts (Delta Central and Delta South). Nobody has the right to the governorship slot in Delta State as one has to fight for it, it is not given on a platter of gold or given due to emotional feelings, zoning arrangement should be seriously considered for fairness, justice and equity but where it does not happen due to marginalization, then let the chips fall where they may. In my opinion, the political system in the state should be in such a manner to command the respect of all Deltans, that is, it should be fair, just and equitable. Anioma community I stand to say that united we stand divided we fall.

Elder Dr. Nwaonicha pointed out that among those indicating interest in the governorship race, only Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa stands out, adding that Okowa is more on ground than any other aspirant in any party in the state.
“Okowa is selfless, more compassionate and more reasonable in terms of leadership and management skills. The senator is a seasoned and a grassroot politician, he is focused, experienced and has a very good track record. This is my personal opinion. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion and I know that my personal opinion /instinct has never failed me.

He listed the qualities that make Okowa a good and marketable candidate in Delta State 2015 election to be: he is God fearing, humble, visionary, creative, he has listening ears to the masses, he has the best political structure in Delta State, he is a man of the people, for the people and by the people, noting that this is what true democracy is all about. “This qualities sur-passes that of any other governorship candidate in Delta State irrespective of his/her political affiliation. The three criteria globally used to measure preference for a leader are competence, integrity and acceptability. Senator Ifeanyi Okowa got them all. I therefore, request that every Anioma indigene and Deltans should register to vote because this time around your vote will count.

I see Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as an individual who will create wealth for Deltans by engaging in policies that would create jobs for our graduates, develop our industrial base and more importantly, position ourselves to be competitive in today global market economy. I make a pledge to Aniomas and Deltans today that this fine gentleman will serve all Deltans with all his strength, with dignity, and humanity and the best of his ability I pray PDP thinks wise and big by nominating Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as its flag bearer in the Delta State governorship election come 2015.