Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has thrown his weight behind the ongoing anti-corruption war even as he cautioned that due process must be followed.

Delivering a lecture on the topic, ‘Towards Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria: The role of Political Parties’, at the weekend to mark the 83rd birthday of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia in Benin City, Edo State, Governor Okowa stated that for democracy to be sustained and the goodwill of the populace retained, impunity must be avoided at all cost.

“I am in full support of the current anti-corruption war of the federal government, it is time to deal with the monster of corruption in our society and sanitise the polity with sound anti-corruption policies and action, but, our institutions must be democratic and civil in their actions, and the rule of law must be a guiding principle.”

He added: “Due process must be followed and an integrity test must be performed within the institutions, just as the application of the law among the citizenry must be without bias in order to retain public confidence.”

While stating that “the system must be able to stop brazenness of people getting away with what is bad,” the Governor reiterated that people should be aware that once they are caught doing something bad, they will be punished.

Senator Okowa added that for democracy to be sustained in Nigeria, campaign promises must be fulfilled, assuring that his administration was determined to deliver on its five point agenda of strategic wealth creation and provision of jobs; meaningful peace building platforms for political cum social stability; agricultural reforms and accelerated development; relevant health and education policies and transformed environment through urban renewal.

Leadership by example, and viable political parties, the Governor emphasised, were important for democracy to be sustained in the country, noting: “For democracy to thrive, the opposition must be allowed to play its role with good understanding of what needs to be done.”

“We must congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan and my party, the Peoples Democratic Party for allowing the rule of law to take its place, obviously, a major step forward in sustaining our democracy because by refusing to yield to the temptation to repress other political parties, President Jonathan and PDP have, in fact, laid a solid foundation for sustainable democracy in the country.”

He commended Dr. Ogbemudia for laying solid foundation for the development of the defunct Bendel State, now Edo and Delta States, promising: “As governor, I have made it my mission to take Delta State to the status of the pacesetter in the Nigerian Federation just like Bendel of old.”

Governor Adams Oshiomole, at the occasion, observed that Dr. Ogbemudia acted fearlessly without discrimination as Military Administrator of Bendel State while chairman of the occasion, Justice Samson Uwaifor (rtd) said Dr. Ogbemudia “is a great patriot.”

Dr. Ogbemudia, his wives, children and prominent Nigerians attended the lectures.

•Photo shows Governor Okowa exchanging pleasantries with Governor Oshiomhole, while Monday Igbuya, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, watches . . . during a Public Lecture to make the 83th Birthday of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia

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