Banner Online News

By Our Correspondent

(with reports from The Blaze Newspaper &PSG news online).

Former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, has launched a blistering attack on former governor Ifeanyi Okowa, accusing him of attempting to build a political dynasty in Delta North and exerting undue influence over Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.

Ochei also dropped a political bombshell, alleging that Governor Oborevwori personally approached him in a bid to persuade him to step down from the Delta North Senatorial race in favour of Okowa, an offer he said he flatly rejected.

Speaking to members of his political support group at the weekend, Ochei said his decision to contest the Delta North senatorial seat was not driven by personal ambition but by a determination to stop what he described as “political impunity” and the emergence of a family-controlled political structure in the district.

According to him, no amount of political inducement could have convinced him to abandon what he called a principled struggle for the future of Delta North.

“He asked what I wanted to persuade me and I said there is nothing you can give me. So it is not about Ochei, it is about Delta North,” he said.

The former Speaker accused Okowa of attempting to monopolise elective offices in the district by allegedly positioning himself and members of his family for key political positions.

“Okowa is bringing himself to contest the Senate, his in-law for the House of Representatives and his daughter for the House of Assembly. What impunity is that? Is he the only one in Delta North? He believes nobody can challenge him,” Ochei declared.

In one of his strongest criticisms yet of the former governor, Ochei accused Okowa of refusing to relinquish political control despite leaving office, alleging that he was stifling Governor Oborevwori’s independence because he played a key role in his emergence.

“People made Okowa governor, he chased all of them away and now he made somebody governor, he doesn’t want the person to breathe. Everything is still about him. That is not supposed to be so,” he said.

The former Speaker argued that Okowa had already enjoyed an extraordinary political career and should allow a new generation of leaders to emerge.

“God has blessed him — Councillor, Chairman, Commissioner, Secretary to the State Government, Senator, Governor and even Vice-Presidential candidate. What else do you want? It is better to leave the stage when the ovation is loudest,” Ochei stated.

Beyond his criticism of Okowa, Ochei also expressed bitterness over his treatment in the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying loyal party members were sidelined after years of sacrifice.

He revealed that he played a significant role in fostering unity within the APC, including efforts to reconcile Senator Ned Nwoko and the late Senator Peter Nwaoboshi during periods of internal crisis.

“I am an old member of the APC. They came and met me. I opened the door for them. I did everything to ensure they were accepted,” he said.

“I went to Nwaoboshi, I pleaded with Ned Nwoko to unite all of them and when they settled in, they locked us out.”

Ochei lamented that longstanding party faithful were abandoned in favour of recent defectors, describing the development as a betrayal of loyalty and commitment.

Drawing a comparison between the administrations of former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu, Ochei argued that APC members in Delta State enjoyed greater recognition under Buhari.

“During Buhari, we were better off. They told us Tinubu rewards loyalty, but behold what is happening. He handed over our party to people that just joined,” he said.

The remarks are expected to further heighten political tensions in Delta State, particularly within Delta North, where the battle for political supremacy ahead of future elections continues to generate intense debate and realignments.