Non-indigenes community in Delta State, Friday, accused persons they described as detractors of former Governor of the state, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, of deliberate mischief and malice, saying they were enemies of Delta.
They said that the persons behind the petitions and media trial of the former governor took that course because they were afraid of Okowa’s towering personality in the political space in the state and country.
The group, which comprised Arewa, Yoruba, Igbo, Middle belt, Igala, South-South among others, stated this when they visited Okowa at his residence in Asaba, over his recent invitation by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation of misappropriation of state’s funds.
Speaking through the leader of the Arewa community in the state, Alhaji Auwalu Tukur, the non-indigenes said that Okowa stood out as the only governor in the state whose developmental strides were outstanding, adding that his love for the state and the people dated back to periods before governorship.
According to Auwalu, when Okowa was commissioner and later Secretary to the State Government, he championed adult education for non-indigenes, and ensured that members of the community were part of government, with no fewer than five Special Assistants to the Governor then.
“When you went to the Senate, we can recall with relish the powerful empowerments you gave to us; you empowered many of us, and some of our children got Federal Government jobs.
“By God’s grace, you became Governor of Delta State in 2015, and you did very well because everybody was calling you “Road Master” and also had hospitals everywhere.
“That was when you made the first Hausa man the Chairman of Delta State Muslims Pilgrims Welfare Board, and many of us you are seeing here were SAs and SSAs during your tenure.
“We have come to tell you that we are with you through our daily prayers and we will continue to be with you till the end of time because you have carried us along and you have shown us the way and empowered us and we will continue to be grateful.
“Those trying to give you a bad name will not succeed by the grace of God, and on this note, we pass a vote of confidence on you,” he said.
Responding, Okowa thanked the non-indigenes for their support over the years, assuring that he would continue to champion their course in any way he could.
According to him, many of you were born here, and many of you have lived here and raised your families and businesses here.
“This is why in any position i have occupied in government i have always advocated that you should be recognised because you have lived here, your home is here, your business and your children are here, so there is no reason why you should not be treated as indigenes of Delta State.
“Recognition in this context shouldn’t just be about appointments but for the fact that you have lived here with your families for a long time you should be seen as a Deltans and I thank God that you are gradually being recognised.
“Most of you have party positions, and we have Igbo and Arewa Councillors, and I am happy that you are beginning to have that recognition.
“I urge you to continue to see Delta State as your home because when you do that, we will continue to have peace and development,” he said.
On EFCC invitation, the former governor said “the most important thing is that I am not afraid of the accusations. Let the investigation go on because the amount of N1.3 trillion they are mentioning is frightening.
“You all know how Asaba and Okpanam were in 2015 and you know how it is now. We constructed many roads and built storm water drainages to prevent flooding.
“You know many leaders would prefer to build infrastructure that will be seen like roads, flyovers, and many others, but if you build that and there is no road to pass due to flooding, it’s useless.
“You know it was always a nightmare when it rained then in Asaba and Okpanam, but it took visionary leadership to carry out such storm water drains because you are burying money on the ground.
“We started similar storm drainages in Warri and I am glad that the current governor is continuing with it, and it takes boldness to do those things.”
He stated that his administration left several legacy projects across the state and commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for continuing and ensuring the completion of many of them.
“Professor Chike Edozien State Secretariat we built won ‘he most iconic public building in Nigeria’ and it was designed by a Deltan, Arch Kester Ifeadi.
“Workers now work there from morning till night, and you all can also recall the state of the Mariam Babangida Road, and the three universities we established now have no fewer than 33,000 students on admission.
“We worked for the people, and I am glad that the people saw what we did even in riverside communities in the state.
“Through DESOPADEC, we rebuilt Oboghoro and Utonlila communities in Warri North, and we were constructing the bridge to Orere and other communities in Ewu Kingdom, over 500 meters length.
“During my tenure, we built five more bridges on the Trans-Warri-Ode-Itsekiri roads and bridges and I am glad that Governor Oborevwori is about completing the project to enable our Itsekiri brothers drive straight to Ode-Itsekiri.” Okowa added.
