Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has been screened to seek re-election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general elections.

Governor Okowa, who was the only Deltan that picked the gubernatorial form of the party, was screened today at the PDP zonal office, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Okowa entered the hall for screening at about 2:42 p.m. and spent about one hour with members of the Committee – Alhaji Buba Galadima, Mr Chuks Akwitti, Engr. Muktar Ahmed and Rt. Hon. Boyele Debekeme, who served as Secretary of the Committee.

Screened alongside Governor Okowa was the Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike, and that of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Emmanuel Udom. Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State later arrived at the venue to face the screening committee.

Governor Okowa in a brief interview with journalists shortly after the screening described the exercise as “a very fruitful session.”

“We have gone through similar process in the past, as you can see, we don’t have any opponent but, with the rules of our party, we will have affirmative Congress, thereafter, the campaigns will start,” Okowa stated.

On the likely outcome of the 2019 polls, he said: “From feelers across the country, we are very hopeful that we will win in the elections.”

Chairman of the five-man panel that screened the governors, Hon. Muraina Ajibola, had in a speech described the screening exercise as very important for PDP to field credible candidates in the 2019 general elections. “The PDP has a very strong hold in the South-South and we want to maintain such,” he said.

•Photo by Bripin Enarusai shows Delta Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd right), his Rivers State counterpart, Barr. Nyesom (3rd right), Chairman, Screening Committee of the South, South PDP Governorship Aspirants Hon Muraina Ajibola, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Emmanuel Udom (4th left), and other members of the screening Committee, during the screening exercise in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

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