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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have paid congratulatory visits to the Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. At both occasions, the governor stated that he will surpass his previous achievements in the next four years.

The visits came just as the governor and his running mate in the March 9, 2019 elections, who is also his deputy, Barrister Kingsley Otuaro were today, March 27, 2019 presented the certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Receiving the certificate of return at INEC office in Asaba Okowa thanked Deltans, the INEC, security agencies and all those who played different roles during the elections, observing that “the election was adjudged as very peaceful in Delta State.”
He called on all Deltans to actively participate in governance in the next four years starting from May 29, stating that “We cannot do the job alone; with collaborative efforts and partnership, the job will be easier and to the satisfaction of all.
“In the next four years, we will do much more than we have done in the last four years; in 2023, people will judge us based on our performance and we are committed to be accountable to God and our people,” he said.
Governor Okowa who was accompanied to the INEC office by his wife, Dame Edith and a retinue of political office holders, used the occasion to urge Nigerians to be committed to democracy, noting that Nigeria will be better when things are done right.
“There is room for growth in our democracy; we must conduct elections in such a manner that will be appreciated by the world as such will boost the confidence of the people and attract investors to our country; politicians should realize that election is noble and should go out and campaign for votes and ensure that elections are devoid of avoidable deaths,” he said.
The INEC National Commissioner, Dr Mohammed Lecky who presented the certificate of returns to Governor Okowa and his Deputy respectively had in an address, congratulated the Governor and all those who won in the elections, stating, “today’s event is the highpoint of one of the legal requirements on the journey to assumption of office, after being elected.”
“Section 75 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) provides for the issuance of the certificate of return to elected candidates by the INEC and by this event, the Commission has complied with the requirement of the law in this regard,” Dr Lecky said.

Meanwhile, Governor Okowa told the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) who came to felicitate with him on his re-election that, “in the last four years, we received a lot of accolades for our achievements, we had no doubt that we will emerge victorious because we have God and we have the people on our side; the elections are over, it is time for reconciliation, it is time to build.
“I have a greater challenge in my second term and it is my desire to surpass the things we did in our first tenure; I will like to leave office in 2023 happier because, Deltans are happier, more united and we have a stronger state,” the governor said.

While commending the Delta State chapters of CAN and the NLC for the roles they played in stabilizing his administration and ensuring his victory at the polls, he observed that the congratulatory visits to him at Government House, Asaba were a tonic that the partnership for a stronger Delta State to be achieved in the next four years have started yielding fruits.
“We require prayers, partnership and the cooperation of all stakeholders for us to build the Delta of our dreams because, the victory at the polls shows that it is about Delta State, that Deltans prefer a team that represents unity, peace, and a team that will advance the common good of the people,” he stated, adding, “I want to reassure Deltans that collectively, we will build a better state for our people.”
Earlier, the Chairman of CAN in the state, Senior Sylvanus Okorote and the Deputy National President of the NLC, Comrade Amaechi Asuguni who led their members on the congratulatory visits, stated that Governor Okowa’s achievements in the first tenure endeared him to the hearts of Deltans and thanked him for his partnership cum support for their organizations.
They pledged to continue the partnership with his administration in the next four years.