Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, on Wednesday, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was being repositioned from the grassroots to the national level to enable the party to provide the needed leadership that Nigerians have been yearning for come 2023.
Governor Okowa stated this when the PDP flagged off its ward to ward campaign rally for the April 10 State House of Assembly bye-election for Isoko North Local Government Area of the state.
He noted that Nigerians have gone through untold hardship since the PDP left the government at the centre in 2015, stressing that all issues confronting the nation would be a thing of the past by the time the party reclaims political power in 2023.
He said there was the need for the people of Isoko North to vote massively for the PDP candidate in the forthcoming by-election, Mr Jude Ogbimi, to enable him to fill the gap created by the demise of Hon. Tim Owhefere.
“I am truly excited with the turn out of members and supporters of the PDP to this ward to ward campaign rally.
“Isoko North people surprised me with their massive turn out at the flag-off of this campaign rally. They should translate this (large turn out) into a massive vote for the PDP candidate in the April 10 by-election.
“We are building the party ( PDP), from the grassroots to enable us to take over the government at the centre (Abuja) in 2023,” Okowa said, even as he thanked leaders of the party in Isoko North for the unity of purpose among them.
The governor who was addressing members of the party and their supporters at Owhelogbo ward 5, Otibio (Otor-Igho) ward 13 and Otor-Owhe ward 6, reiterated his administration’s commitment to the empowerment of Deltans and infrastructural transformation.
He disclosed that the massive road construction, the appointment of Isoko North people into key positions and the upgrade of the Ozoro Polytechnic to a full-fledged University of Science and Technology were clear attestations of his love for the Isoko people.
On the requests made by various communities, Governor Okowa said that they (the requests) would be considered with a view to attending to some of them in accordance with available resources.
Presenting the party’s flag to the candidate, the PDP state Chairman, Olorogun Kingsley Esiso charged members of the party to work as a team to ensure that the party emerged victorious in the bye-election.
Esiso said that the PDP was sure of victory because of the people-oriented projects and human capital development of the Senator Okowa led administration in all parts of the state.
In their separate remarks, Senator James Manager and the former Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Leo Okuwe Ogor said Isoko North was home for the PDP and expressed hope that the PDP would emerge victorious come April 10.
Also speaking, the Chairman of PDP in Isoko North, Prince Godwin Ogorugba, the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Oviemunor Oghoore and Comrade Ovouzuorie Macaulay said that they were happy with the unity among stakeholders of the party in the area and urged the teeming supporters of the PDP to come out in their large numbers to cast their vote for the PDP candidate.
Other speakers at the rally including community leaders thanked Governor Okowa for linking all parts of the state with good road network and bridges, even as they appealed to him not to relent in his resolve to build a Stronger Delta State.
The PDP candidate, Mr Jude Ogbimi thanked Governor Okowa, the leadership of the party at the state and local government levels for the opportunity given to him and pledged to represent the interest of all when he emerges victorious.