*Senator Seeks Re-election, Backs Tinubu’s Second Term Bid
*No Mention Of Oborevwori
*Assures Of Anioma State Creation, Federal Varsity In Asaba
THE senator representing Delta North in the national Assembly, Ned Munir Nwoko, on Friday, April 17, formally announced his intention to seek re-election, even as he reiterated his commitment to continued representation of his constituents.
This sets the stage for an epic battle between him and former governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who declared his intention to contest the senatorial seat in next year’s general elections, both under the All Progressives Congress (APC), following pressure from political stakeholders in the district.
Okowa made his intention known at his Asaba residence, while receiving a delegation of political leaders from district, including former and serving lawmakers, government officials and stakeholders drawn from the nine local government areas, led by the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme.
At the meeting, a motion urging Okowa to return to the senate was moved by Ndudi Elumelu and seconded by Nnamdi Ezechi received unanimous approval.
The leaders described Okowa as a “seasoned administrator” and “consensus builder,” saying his experience as a former governor and senator positions him to provide effective representation.
Okowa, in his response, expressed appreciation for the endorsement and formally accepted the call to contest, saying: “I feel very loved and honoured by this show of support.
“For the calibre of persons here and the unity of purpose demonstrated, I have no choice but to accept.
“I was going to call His Excellency, the Deputy Governor, to request of him, because the time is now short, to help me invite some leaders, so that I can bring the news that I would like to run for the senate. So that I won’t start going to local governments without consulting with the leaders.
“I accept your request to run for the senate, representing Delta North senatorial district.
“I want to reassure you that politics is a learning process; I will continue to learn on a daily basis.”
Okowa thanked the Anioma people for their support during his 2011 senatorial and 2015 governorship elections, saying he would again rely on their support ahead of next year’s elections.
He apologised to the district the “mistake” in supporting Nwoko’s emergence as senator.
However, speaking with journalists on arrival at the Asaba Airport, Nwoko, accompanied by former deputy senate president, Ovie Omo-Agege, described the rousing welcome as a reflection of the strong bond between him and his constitunts.
He said his performance in the senate had been driven by a commitment to amplifying the voices of his constituents and addressing their socio-economic challenges, adding: “The people know me, and I know them. I understand their needs and I am committed to solving their problems.”
The senator pledged to work for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, in whose leadership and ongoing reforms at the national level, he expressed confidence.
The senator did not mention support or otherwise for the second term bid of Governor Sheriff Oborovwori, with whom he had disagreed in the past prior to their joing the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Nwoko restated plans to upgrade the Federal College of Education in Asaba to a federal university, a move he described as strategic to expanding access to higher education and fostering development in the district.
The senator urged his constituents to remain steadfast in their support for progressive governance, cautioning against a return to what he termed “old politics.”
On the vreation of Anioma State creation, he re-echoed the position of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, saying it represents the official position on the issue.
