Delta Governor, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa has called on the Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 25 local government areas of the state to continue to work hard to sustain the electoral fortunes of the party in the state.
Okowa made the call on Friday while receiving the PDP local government chairmen who paid him a visit at Government House, Asaba.
He expressed appreciation to them for supporting him throughout the eight years of his administration, adding that they should extend the same level of support to the new administration of the party in the state.
According to him, the end of an election is the beginning of a new election, pointing out that it was now time for the party to begin to manage the women and the youth population in the various local government areas of the state.
“Continue to work hard for the party because the end of an election is the beginning of a new election. It is time now to begin to manage the women population and the youth population in our various local governments.
“Because, at this time and with the last elections, it has become obvious that politics is not the way it used to be in the past and the only way to ensure that we are able to perform well in the future is to begin to build now and to begin to involve the youth and the women not just those in the party, but those in the communities, we should begin to involve them now.
“Because any attempt to neglect any person, any attempt to begin to operate with high-handedness in our various local governments will only spell doom for us,” the outgoing governor added.
He stressed the need for a collective effort to create a positive change, a positive approach to political governance and a positive approach to party governance in such a way that there would be inclusiveness in the party.
“We have witnessed what happened and it is important that we create a positive change, a positive approach to political governance and a positive approach to party governance in such a way that we become more and more inclusive in all that we do and l think that that will help us a lot as we continue to build into the future,” he said.
Governor Okowa applauded the party chairmen for helping to manage the party in the state, pointing out that the PDP has made the difference in the management of party affairs across the state.
“In the course our duty calls in the past eight years, particularly in this second tenure, you people have continued to support the party to do the right thing in our various wards in our local government areas even in the management of the elections, but more importantly, in the management of the primaries of the party
“I know what it used to be and as we finish today, l feel proud of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State because we have always set the right examples.
“The right examples would not have been possible if all the local government party chairmen did not key into the vision of the state party Exco and the direction of the leadership of the party.
“So, l want to thank you for cooperating with us to ensure that we succeeded in bringing a change into the management system of our party politics.
“I appreciate you for your kind words and l want to let you know that even after may 29, l am available and we will continue to relate with each other.
“Please, it is my prayer that you support the new administration of our party in government in the same way that you did supported me in office,” he stated.
The governor observed that administration at the governance level could only be real and achieve the right result when the government works in partnership with the party towards ensuring that the vision of the party was delivered as a dividend unto the people.
“This obviously, you have helped me to do and even as we leave on May 29, obviously we are happier and we are happy that the party supported us to achieve the various things that we did achieved,” Okowa said.
Earlier, the Chairman of PDP local government Chairmen in the state, Dr. Wilkie Isaac who is also, the PDP Chairman in Warri North told the governor that the visit was to appreciate him for his great accomplishments in the development of the state.
He said that they were tremendously glad to have worked with him, pointing out that he has managed the party and the state effectively well.
“Our visit is not a visit to make demands. We are here to thank you for what you have done in the state. We can see your footprints in terms of infrastructural growth and development in all the local government areas of the state
“You have actually done well for us and it is our prayer that God will continue to protect and guide you and your family,” Dr. Isaac said.
