By Ahmed Ayanfe
The apex Igbo Socio-cultural, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has shared its view on what the recent selection of Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as the running mate to the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate would me for the opposition party.
This is as the group congratulated Okowa, describing him as a “detribalised patriot, purveyor of morals and a poster personality”.
The presidential flagbearer of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar had picked Okowa as his running mate in the forthcoming 2023 presidential race after meticulous calculation shopping for a VP candidate with electoral value from the Eastern part of the country.
While expressing optimism that Okowa candidacy will add enormous electoral value to the PDP, Ohanaeze noted that in all of Okowa’s political career, he had served without skirmishes.
The Igbo apex body stated this on Friday in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, titled “Ohanaeze Ndigbo congratulates Okowa as vice-presidential candidate”.
Ogbonnia said that Professor George Obiozor-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide is proud of him.
The statement partly read, “the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide heartily congratulates an Igbo prodigy; an astute administrator, sagacious politician, brilliant physician, creative visionary, prudent resource manager, detribalized patriot, purveyor of morals and a poster personality, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the Governor of Delta State as he secures the highly coveted Vice Presidential candidacy of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo has watched with keen interest and admiration the phenomenal trajectory of an University of Ibadan trained medical doctor from the Secretary to Ika North East Local Government; Chairman, Ika North East Local Government; Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources; Commissioner for Water Resources Development; Commissioner for Health; Secretary to the Delta State Government; Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; ECOWAS Parliamentarian; Governor of Delta State and today the Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
“Available records indicate that from birth, God endowed Okowa with a special grace. It is only grace that explains the mystery behind the profound achievements by a few in various areas of life which paradoxically present enormous challenges to many others. Perhaps, this explains why Okowa ennobled the various offices he held with remarkable skill, exceptional diligence, elegance and panache.
“The life of Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa is a veritable tribute to humility, sincerity, simplicity, hard work, perseverance and centrality of morals in the dynamics of power. As a governor, Okowa had a clear vision which he pursued with incandescent passion, valour, candour, honour and unassailable accomplishments.
“Above all other enviable attributes, Okowa resonates as a team player, diverse ethnic manager with a friendly finesse and character comeliness. He is one of the few who has sustained in government without the elixir and grandeur delusion that has become the characteristics of many in positions of authority.
“On the other hand, Okowa has served both as sub-ordinate, co-ordinate and super-ordinate to several persons without skirmishes. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa is a quintessential gentleman.
“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worlwide led by Ambassador Professor George Obiozor is very proud of you. We are optimistic that your candidacy will add enormous electoral value to your political party, the PDP.”
Background
Last minute push by top shots of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday paved the way for the emergence of the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as the running mate of the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar.
Okowa’s fate, Business Metrics gathered, was sealed at a marathon meeting held in Abuja in the early hours of Thursday. The development ended the quest of the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, to become the running mate of the party’s flag bearer.
Wike was selected on Tuesday by an advisory council constituted by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to review the report of the former National Security Adviser, General Aliyu Gusau on the selection of the running mate.
Gusau’s panel had recommended three governors from the South South geopolitical zone – Okowa, Wike and Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom).
It was gathered that at the meeting attended by top shots of the party including the National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, Atiku, former Senate President, David Mark; former governor of Jigawa, Sule Lamido; Wike, Okowa, among others, the candidature of Okowa was supported by the stakeholders.
