Banner Online News

Moments after Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was confirmed as the winner of the March 9, 2019 governorship election and was declared duly returned all roads led from the Government House Chapel, Asaba where a thanksgiving service was offered to thank God for the success of the Governor and his deputy at the polls.
The service attended by notable personalities, government officials, leaders of the Peoples Democratic party (PDP), party members, faithful, supporters and civil servants, including the wife of the governor, Dame Edith Okowa, and wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Otuaro, former governor James Onanefe Ibori, former minister of information, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, former legislators, serving and newly elected legislators at the national and state houses of assembly, praise was sang to eulogise and thank God for being faithful.
In a sermon entitled “The triumph of God,” by the Chaplain of Government House Chapel, Ven. Charles Osemenam, the clergy man who took his anchor scripture from Psalm 2: 1-2 and quoting the scripture he declared: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people plot a vain thing?
“The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His anointed, saying, let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.”
Ven. Osemenam likened the ordeal faced by Governor Okowa before victory came his way to the situation described by the scripture above in which God described the enemies as heathens and wondered why they bandied together in conspiracy against the anointed one of the Lord.
The preacher further likened the opposition faced by Okowa to the plot of the enemies of Jesus Christ who after killing him, wanted to prevent His resurrection, and went to bring heavy blocks to seal His grave and got soldiers to guard the grave. He said: “Soldiers were put on guard to prevent the resurrection of Christ. They put a big stone, but when the time came Jesus rose from the dead in spite of the plots.”
Ven. Osemenam said ““Delta State is unique and the uniqueness of Delta makes everything work peacefully; when a thing is of God, the thing is unstoppable; we are here to say, Father, thank you because, if not for God, the enemy will be rejoicing; people will know that there is God in Delta State; this is a new beginning and we thank God for the victory of our Governor at the polls, we thank Deltans for being peaceful before, during and after the elections.”
He then led the congregation in praising God for His faithfulness, and because God’s faithfulness and compassion never fail.
Speaking, Governor Okowa returned all the thanks to God, pointing out that while the ordeal lasted, all manner of stories were told to discourage “our party members.” He recalled that despite this, he had peace which made him to trust in God.
Okowa recalled that people were paid to burn down 12 INEC offices in Delta State. “But those involved disagreed among themselves. All their attempt was to make the elections inconclusive in Delta State.
“I appreciate INEC for being very firm, and for doing what they needed to do. I appreciate INEC for standing for fairness, and for staying committed to a free and fair election,” Okowa said.
He continued: “I want to appreciate the security agencies for standing for fairness and I must thank our religious leaders for their prayers and mobilization; we are all victorious together; it is a victory for justice, equity, fairness and a victory that will bring better love in Delta State.
“It is time to work for the progress of Delta state. I seek the co-operation of all, party men, all Deltans because together we can build a stronger Delta. “There is no loser, this is the time to join hands together and build a greater Delta State; our opponents should join us as I seek the cooperation, the partnership of all Deltans because, we have done so much but, a lot more will be done in the next four years starting from May 29; as I seek for your cooperation and partnership as Deltans, I also seek for your prayers, we must work hard to take Delta State to greater heights; we need to be peaceful because, with peace, we will achieve a lot.
“We must think of a greater Delta. We shall connect with more Deltans, together we will build a better Delta State. It will require a lot of sacrifice on the part of every politician including myself, and all of us. That as I leave office as governor in 2023, we will look back and say that we are proud of the job we have done together in our state and give thanks to God; please, trust in the Lord our God.”
The governor took advantage of the opportunity to ask those who are not in Christ to reconcile and connect to God so that they can enjoy the benefits.