Urhobo Leaders Open Up On Okowa, Ibori ‘Battle’

URHOBO Youth Leaders Association, UYLA, has dismissed claims of a battle between Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his predecessor, Chief James Ibori alleging reports to that direction as mischievous.

The Urhobo group spoke against the background of apprehension arising from the recent assertion by Okowa to the extent that only God could determine his successor or say where such would come from.

The assertion by Governor Okowa was believed to have been against the belief of Ibori who is Urhobo and had mobilized support for Okowa even while he was locked away in Britain.

Addressing a press conference to address the issue of a conflict between Okowa and Ibori among other matters, the UYLA at Delta Steel Complex, Udu on Tuesday, President of the group, Chief Tony Ofoni alleged what he described as an “orchestrated plot to drive a wedge between former Governor James Ibori and the incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, a man with the incredible reputation of being a promise keeper.”

Ofoni who had the UYLA Deputy President, Olorogun Vincent Oyibode, Vice President, Chief Austin Atiti, Publicity Secretary, Chief Oghotomo Samuel with him at the press conference, said that Okowa’s remarks so far on 2023 do not in any way suggest betrayal as being quoted.

Ofoni said: “He (Okowa) has openly told the Ijaw nation he never promised them the governorship of Delta state in 2023. The State Chairman of the party, Chief Kingsley Esiso has in a statement during an occasion in 2020 stated that it was only fair for Delta Central to have the governorship in 2023 and that statement did not earn him any query from the Governor.

“Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is presently the leader of the party in the State. For the purpose of emphasis, our Governor has no running battle with Chief James Ibori and his structures as being claimed in some quarters by mischief makers who want to distort the unity we enjoy in the state with Governor Okowa as the driver of the progressive and highly performing party and Government.

“Okowa, as a tactical strategist, does not need to make his direction known too early into the game. In the fullness of time, an Urhobo man will emerge as Governor by the grace of God but not on the altar of flexing muscles with the incumbent Governor who deservingly should be respected.”

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