By Austin Ogwuda
MIXED reactions have been trailing the arrest of the immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, while a group is calling for his release, the leadership of Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress APC is rejoicing and at the same time mocking Governor Sheriff Oborevwori-led PDP government.
Other critics are also questioning the rationale behind EFCC’s alleged nonchalance of not beaming their searchlight on former Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan too, accusing the anti graft agency of allegedly looking away because Uduaghan, upon sensing danger sometime ago, decamped to APC, the ruling party at the centre for cover.
Delta APC State Publicity Secretary, Barr.alentine Onojeghuo at a press conference read out a prepared address, which partly reads:
“We in the APC wholeheartedly welcome the arrest of former Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who oversaw one of the most concerning cases of financial mismanagement during his eight-year tenure.
“His administration allegedly funneled significant state resources into personal ventures, including establishing a Bank, financing a failed presidential ambition, and supporting the controversial imposition of a successor (Governor Sheriff Oborevwori).
“The era of impunity is over, no one, irrespective of position or political affiliation, is above the law. The fight against corruption must be thorough and unwavering and we commend the administration’s efforts in this regard.
“During his (Okowa) eight years in office, Delta State has little to show for the vast federal allocations received. The few substandard roads he constructed, often hailed as the ‘Road Master,’ have deteriorated rapidly.
“The legacy of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration”, the statement went on, “is a high debt profile resulting from a reckless borrowing spree, which earned him the notorious nickname of ‘Borrow Borrow Governor”, the group added.
Meanwhile a group known as Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) Urhobo Youths under the leadership of Comrade Sweet Otiotio has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) “to release the former Delta State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa without delay”.
According to them, “We cannot forget so soon
his (Okowa) extensive road network projects that linked rural areas with urban centers, Governor Okowa embarked on a mission to make Delta State’s infrastructure resilient and accessible to all. His administration completed over 1,500 kilometers of roads, connecting various communities and facilitating commerce across the state. This earned him the respect and admiration of his constituents, who saw firsthand the impact of his work on their daily lives.
“Okowa understood that without peace, there could be no development,” said Otiotio. His efforts in fostering unity among the people, from the Urhobo youths to the Ijaw, Itsekiri and other ethnic groups reflected his deep commitment to the well-being of Delta State. We believe it’s unjust to hold someone who has served his State with such honor and integrity”, the group claimed.