The immediate-past Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has declared his intention to contest the Delta North Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
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Okowa disclosed this at his residence in Asaba, on Sunday, while addressing a delegation of political leaders from the Delta North Senatorial District, popularly known as Anioma, who visited him.
The declaration by the former governor sets him on a collision course with the ambition of the current senator representing the district, Ned Nwoko, also of the APC.
Led by the incumbent Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, the delegation comprised former and serving members of the National Assembly, senior government officials, and influential political stakeholders drawn from the nine local government areas of the Delta North senatorial district.
No fewer than 50 political leaders from across the nine local government areas of the senatorial district in attendance had, before the visit, met at the deputy governor’s lodge, where they deliberated on the political future of the district and resolved to present a unified appeal to Okowa.
The delegation, comprising Chief Chris Agbobu, a former minister from Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Chief Emma Onyiuku (Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency), and Doris Uboh, former House of Representatives member from Ika Federal Constituency, expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as “the declining quality of representation currently being experienced at the Senate.”
They argued that the senatorial district required a more experienced and influential voice capable of attracting federal presence and effectively articulating the interests of the Anioma people at the national level.
According to the delegation, Okowa remained “a seasoned administrator, consensus builder, and bridge between diverse political interests” whose experience as governor and former senator places him in a strong position to deliver effective representation and restore the district’s influence at the federal level.
A formal motion calling on Okowa to contest the Senate seat was moved by former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, and seconded by a serving member of the House, Nnamdi Ezechi.
It received unanimous approval from the gathering.
Responding, Okowa noted that he was taken by surprise by the visit but “deeply moved” by the show of unity and confidence reposed in him by the leaders and the people of Anioma.
The former governor stated that, given the calibre of personalities involved and the collective nature of the appeal, he could not ignore the call.
He said, “I feel very loved and honoured by this show of support. For the calibre of persons here and the unity of purpose demonstrated, I have no choice but to accept.
“As I accept your request, this is not about me alone. It is a collective project. We will run it together and, by the grace of God, we will win together. I will not disappoint you.”
Okowa used the occasion to reflect on his long-standing political relationship with the Anioma people and recalled with nostalgia their noticeable support for him during his successful bid for the Senate in 2011 and later during his governorship elections in 2015.
He assured the delegation that he would once again rely on their collective strength to prosecute the 2027 senatorial contest.
Speaking earlier, Onyeme assured Okowa of the “unwavering support” of political leaders and stakeholders across the district.
Onyeme described the proposed senatorial bid as “a shared mission aimed at repositioning Delta North for greater relevance in national politics.”
Nwoko, the current occupant of the seat, had dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the APC after the 2023 election.
He was later joined in the APC when Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and Okowa, alongside members of the state House of Assembly and leadership of the PDP, moved en masse to the APC.
Okowa was the running mate to the presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
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