Banner Online News

By Olomu Onyiye

If there’s any political figure in Delta State that has faced unwarranted vitriol and unfounded opprobrium over the years, it’s actually Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

But then, between him and those that traduce him, who’s more on the side of moral rectitude or justifiable innocence? Who’s really aggressing the other?

Recently, some political figures in Delta North, alongside their rabid media handlers have been suffocating the media space with the allegation that Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is scheming to run for the Senate seat in 2027. Unfortunately, this allegation, from all intents and purposes, is akin to giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it.

For now, it’s on record that Dr. Okowa has not approached anyone, including Party stakeholders, on any such intent. Moreover, as a shrewd and tested political veteran, he understands that it’s rather too early in the day for anyone to trudge on this path which is equally a distraction to the current occupant who has barely spent two years of a four-year term.

All the same, I find it heartwarming that Dr. Okowa has continued to take all these assaults in his strides.

When recently, a group of supporters visited him and inquired on reasons why he handles issues of sort with so much calm and equanimity, his answer has become somewhat instructive for folks like me.

Dr. Okowa had remarked that the moment he joined the political space, he accepted the truth, albeit unsavoury, that mudslinging, insults and invectives are equally parts of the baggage that every politician must carry. Hence, developing a thick skin and deploying the spirit of sportsmanship, are to him, indispensable on such a checkered journey.

Beyond becoming a shining example by reason of this his admirable disposition, this may also account for reasons he has remained an enigma that his opponents find so challenging to unravel.

Lastly, this is my candid or dispassionate counsel as usual.

Traducers of Dr. Okowa should realize that 2027 is still far-flung. While I do not hold brief as to whether he shall be contesting the Senate seat or not, I think it’s apt to reiterate that their maddening permutations and maneuverings are only distractive and unhelpful to the polity for now.