Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly and member representing the good people of Ethiope East State Constituency, Rt Hon Arthur Akpowowo, has again commended the visionary leadership of the state governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, especially for his good governance strides, for supporting the process leading to his election as member representing Ethiope East State Constituency, and subsequent emergence as Deputy Speaker.

He made the commendation on Saturday at a new year party he organised to appreciate party leaders and stakeholders at his palatial country home in Eku, saying that the governor’s magnanimity is inestimable and clearly reflected in the appointment of Prof Nyerhovwo Tonukari as Commissioner for Higher Education, Chief Sunday Onoriode as State Director of Protocols and other important appointments in the LGA since May 29, 2023 and counting.

The Deputy Speaker noted that Oborevwori’s divine governorship ticket in 2023 brought with it good measure of political fortunes for Ethiope East LGA, because PDP was able to win both governorship and House of Assembly elections after nearly two decades of abysmal performance, adding that leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the LGA will never forget how God used the governor to unite and inspired leaders and stakeholders to work for the victory of the party with his MORE agenda as springboard.

He noted that PDP last elected member in the State House of Assembly was Rt Hon Sunny Akpodiogaga Emeyese in 2011, and that Ethiope East became opposition party within the LGA’s political milieu up untill 2023 when things changed for good, pointing out that governor Oborevwori, and the immediate past governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, CON, worked very hard in multifaceted ways to ensure that the LGA won both governorship and House of Assembly elections in 2023.

Akpowowo further disclosed that his emergence as the Deputy Speaker was also as a result of governor Oborevwori’s leadership and political craftsmanship being the leader of the party in the state, saying that for a first time member like him to be elected Deputy Speaker, it requires wide consultations among leaders and stakeholders, coupled with the cooperation of his colleagues in the House, and promised never to take their trust and support for granted.

He said the governor came prepared, fully armed with his MORE agenda to Advance Delta, as can be seen from the ongoing construction of three flyovers, road expansion projects and pedestrian bridges at DSC Roundabout, PTI junction, Effurun Roundabout and Enerhen junction up to Marine Gate, awarded to construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc at a cost of N78 billion, as well as other ongoing projects acros the state.

“Our gathering here today is to celebrate success, victory and our collective unity. We are here to also celebrate the new year together as a political family.

“As we celebrate, I want to specially put on record that God used our street credibility governor and leader of our great party, PDP, in the state, Rt Hon (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori’s governorship ticket to open a new page for Ethiope East politics.

“Our governor ensured that PDP leaders in our LGA got united and worked in synergy, and also gave us the necessary support which enabled us to win governorship and House of Assembly elections in Ethiope East, after nearly two decades of pitiable struggles and acute frustrations.

“We cannot thank the governor enough, we shall continue to appreciate him, and the immediate past governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, CON, for helping us to bounce back to winning ways.

“Let me also state clearly that as a first time member of the State House of Assembly it took the political craftsmanship of our amiable governor, Rt Hon Oborevwori as leader of our party in the state, to navigate the political system and structures, and with the help of my vibrant colleagues in the House for me to emerge as Deputy Speaker. These are remarkable achievements that can never be forgotten,” Akpowowo added.

Earlier, the LGA Chairman of PDP, Hon Felix Erhimedafe said the party is stronger and better, and that the enviable achievements of governor Oborevwori within the past seven months in office attracted more Deltans to the party, leaving the opposition political parties to gnash their teeth.

He introduced some decampees from the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ward 4, led by Chief Sunday Oyibo. They were received by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Arthur Akpowowo and leaders of the party.

The leader of the decampees, Chief Oyibo lamented that the nation’s ailing economy and acute economic hardship currently being experienced by majority of Nigerians, coupled with lack of unity among APC leaders in the state prompted their defection. He assured that more APC members in Ward 4 and across the LGA shall defect to PDP, noting that APC no longer exist in Ethiope East.

In his remark, the Honourable Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Nyerhovwo Tonukari scored governor Oborevwori very high, saying that mega projects initiated by the governor within seven months in office clearly revealed his strong determination to spread uncommon development across the state.

In the same vein, the LGA party Leader, Chief Bernard Edewor thanked governor Oborevwori for all the good things done so far for Ethiope East, and harped on the need for leaders of the party in the LGA to sustain the unity and political sagacity exhibited during and after the 2023 general elections. He commended the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Arthur Akpowowo for the new year get-together, and for his quality representation at the State House of Assembly.

The Council Chairman, Pharmacist Victor Ofobrukueta urged party faithfuls and supporters to remain united, and to be part of the ongoing implementation of governor Oborevwori’s MORE agenda by projecting the achievements of this administration in and out of their communities, adding that the future is very bright for our state and people.

Also speaking, Chief Brodrick Arigbodi, described governor Oborevwori as a principled and trustworthy leader who will do whatever it takes legitimately to develop the three senatorial districts. He urged Deltans to continue to rally around the governor as he unleashes solid infrastructure and socioeconomic development across the state.

The highlight of the event was a motion moved for vote of confidence on governor Oborevwori, by the former member representing the good people of Ethiope Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Sunny Akpodiogaga Emeyese, and was ably seconded by Chief Midwest Omo West.

The leaders and those present affirmed the vote of confidence while the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Akpowowo hit the gavel to validate Ethiope East vote of confidence on governor Oborevwori, as a result of his competence, good governance strides and impartial leadership style.

The event was well attended by leaders of the party and political appointees in the LGA, including; The Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Arthur Akpowowo, Chief Bernard Edewor, Chief Michael Adiotomre, Rt Hon Sunny Akpodiogaga Emeyese, Chief Sunday Onoriode (he was unavoidably absent and ably represented), Pharmacist Victor Ofobrukueta, Chief Barr Mrs Atagana, Hon Felix Erhimedafe, Chief Tony Oboro, Chief Mrs Tessy Torru, Chief Soso Enakerakpo, Chief Barr George Orogun, Dr Barr Wilfred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Chief Augustine Ogedegbe, Chief Lucky Emojeya, Ward Councillors, and several leaders too numerous to mention.

Credit: Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq