A foremost aspirant in the 2023 governorship race of Delta State, Chief James Augoye has described as unparallel the commitment of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in threshing internal democracy in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Governor Okowa had yesterday Saturday, January 22, 2022, while addressing Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, faithful at a mega rally organised by the party in Delta at the Cenotaph, Asaba, said “But, one thing I have always promised and I still promise today is that there will always be free and fair primaries; so, there is no room to fight”.
Chief Augoye who was heralded into the venue by a mammoth crowd of supporters was the toast of thousand of leaders and PDP faithful that joined Okowa to receive defectors from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the PDP family in the state.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the rally, Augoye whose governorship rating has continued to soar high in the build-up to the PDP primaries noted that the Governor has once again reminded all that he is a true democrat who remains committed to entrenching internal democracy both in the state and national levels of PDP.
The Okpe born politician placed on record the diligent and deliberate efforts of Okowa since 2015 when he become governor in ensuring free, fair and transparent primary elections in the PDP.
The Governor, he noted further as a man who keeps to his words will replicate the same free, fair and transparent primary elections ahead of 2023 general elections.
Augoye said, “Recall that Governor Okowa ahead of the 2019 general elections conducted the best ever presidential primary of the PDP in PortHarcourt. He has also demonstrated the same competence and capacity in other national assignments of the party.
“In Delta State, under his watch, free, fair and transparent primaries of the PDP were conducted for all positions in 2019 general elections.”
Chief Augoye said his gaze is already on the PDP governorship primary which is expected to take place before the close of August this year.
He expressed strong optimism of clinching the party’s guber ticket going by the massive support and acceptance of PDP faithful across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The immediate past Commissioner for Works in the state hinged the level of support he is garnering to his favourable antecedents when compared to other persons currently in the governorship race in the state.
“Among all the governorship aspirants currently, I am the only one that can be easily accessed, honest and trustworthy.
“I have a track record of service, accountability and transparency. I am someone who has the attributes to sustain and consolidate on the achievements of His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta State, who is finishing strong.
“I am very confident that PDP faithful in the state who will be party delegates for the governorship primary and believe in upholding the legacies of Governor Okowa will massively vote me to emerge as the party’s flagbearer,” said Augoye.
He attributed the harvest of defectors from the APC to PDP in Delta State to the exemplary leadership of Governor Okowa adding the PDP Mega Rally has further demonstrated that the state remains a stronghold of the PDP.