2027: Between Okowa and Ochei, a Trojan horse race?

By Emmanuel l. Nwagboniwe Let’s not equivocate here. The indices and optics in the political space amply suggest that the electoral race to represent Delta North in the Senate in 2027 is a direct contest between the former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa of the All Progressives Congress (APC ), and ex -Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei of the National Democratic Party (NDC).

Evidently, the projection of a contest likely to throw up soap- box rhetoric, anxieties, euphoria, and political high drama, horse trading, and possibly, mudslinging, is a no-brainer: Okowa and Ochei have bounced into the political ring with unequalled superlatives and robust social capital. Commendably too, these former political allies’ ‘roll call of honour’ tells a convincing story of remarkably impressive private and public service careers- years put in and sacrificed largely in selfless and people-centred engagements.

For instance, a studied glance at Dr Ifeanyi Okowa’s resume speaks volumes: medical doctor; council chairman; Commissioner of Health; Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG); Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; two- term Governor of Delta State, ex -Vice Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 General Election.

Conversely, Victor Ochei is equally a no fresher in the public cum political space. He is a graduate of Chemical Engineering; Founder/ Chairman of Day Notch Nigeria Limited, an engineering firm of global status; Member, Delta State House of Assembly representing Aniocha North Council; Deputy Minority Leader; Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly; Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NlMASA); President, Nigerian Tennis Federation, among others.

Without gas lighting, these political highflyers’ ‘selling points’ make any of them eminently qualified to represent the Anioma nationality in the Red Chamber. However, one knows that making a choice out of these two top contenders, especially by voters in a dynamic and highly unpredictable democratic space like ours where selfish and primordial sentiments hold sway, is certainly a herculean task, yet a candidate’s ‘report card’ remains an added advantage.

For Okowa, he is majorly regarded as a grassroots politician who walks his talk in terms of mass mobilisation, especially across the nine councils that make up the Delta North Senatorial District. Evidently too, the former governor’s enduring stay in the political trenches for over three decades tells a reassuring story of one who understands the undercurrents and dynamics of power ‘capture’.

Moreover, Okowa has other political assets to take to the electioneering field; he has a vast and extensive experience in the executive and the legislative arms of government, and no matter how hard his traducers knock him, he being an ex -state executive, has a chunk of tangible and verifiable score cards to present to his Delta North constituents.

As the campaigns intensify, he will readily reel out the dividends of democracy he provided as a sitting governor to his Delta North voters. Even his consultative town hall meetings have been turned into endorsements of sorts by traditional institutions -though an exercise dismissed by Ochei’s camp as a mere smokescreen in a democratic dispensation anchored on one man, one vote mantra.

Moreover, for a political strongman believed largely to be an ‘Establishment’ candidate, Okowa would be waging a double barreled war against his contenders, as he will leverage not only on the state government’s mobilisation drive, but most likely as well as from its near inelastic financial muscle. Truth is: Okowa’s opponents must be ready to deepen their resource base to be able to match him in the battle royale for the exalted Abuja seat.

At this juncture, therefore, one is tempted to ask: Are Okowa’s intimidating credentials and robust service- delivery profile over the years enough pointers to cow any of his opponents to throw in the towel and make a cautious and timely retreat from the political battle field. In other words, can Ochei, a major contender, continue to tackle a man who has withered various political storms, tempest and near deadly intrigues?

Well, feelers one gets from those who know Ochei closely say, he is not one who easily runs away from political battles, many others describe him as a human dynamo and an incurable optimist who dares where even angels thread softly. Moreover, he is coming to the electioneering arena with a dose of youthful dynamism and vibrancy. At 57, Ochei is believed to leverage on his mass appeal among the youths, as his message of generational shift in leadership resonates far and wide in the nine councils of Delta North.

He and his teeming supporters are already taking a swipe at Okowa for allegedly foisting a clandestine political dynasty for his family and cronies. Still, Ochei who flaunts his impr