About 48 hours to the Governorship and State House of Assembly elections, the re-election bid of Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa on Thursday received a boost as all the oil and gas producing communities in Delta State pledged to cast all their votes for the Governor and the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Working on the platform of Oil and Gas Host Communities of Nigeria (HOSTCOM), in a well-attended meeting held at Oleh, HOSTCOM observed that Governor Okowa has done a lot for Deltans through well-executed projects and programmes to merit second term in office.

At the meeting, the Delta State Chairman of HOSTCOM, Evangelist Gabriel Isibeluo, said: “All the oil and gas producing communities in Delta State hereby, adopts Governor Okowa as our sole candidate for the Governorship position in the elections coming up on Saturday.

“We will vote for someone who has track records of performance, we are aware that traditional rulers of different ethnic nationalities have adopted our Governor as their candidate too and bearing in mind that for you to be an active member of HOSTCOM that you must have your permanent voters cards, on Saturday, all the members of HOSTCOM will cast their votes for our Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, because he deserves to be re-elected.”

Continuing, Evangelist Isibeluo said: “I assure you, our Governor, we will all enter Asaba for the victory dance, HOSTCOM will vote 100 per cent for you Sir. Congratulations in advance.”

Governor Okowa, who was beaming with smile as the event lasted, thanked HOSTCOM and all Deltans for believing in equity and partnering with his administration to deliver democratic dividends to the people.

He reeled out his achievements and commended HOSTCOM for ensuring a peaceful environment for oil companies to operate, noting that with peace, his administration was able to achieve results.

While assuring that with the effective partnership the next four years will witness more development in the state.

“You (HOSTCOM) are giving me a clear mandate as Deltans; I want to thank you for recognising our achievements in the last four years and for endorsing us for continuity till 2023; in our second term, we will continue to have townhall meetings because, a Governor that is not connected to the people is not a Governor; I like to identify with my people, all Deltans without discrimination; we approved that host communities should monitor Delta State Oil Producing Area Developmental Commission (DESOPADEC) projects and report back to me because of our desire for jobs to be executed to specifications; we are aware that there is no state government in this country that has constructed the number of roads like we have done and in the next four years, we shall continue to move from town to town, village to village to execute projects, so, if it has not gotten to your place, be patient, we will get to you, your happiness as Deltans gladdens our heart as government,” the Governor emphasised amidst a chant of “Okowa Again!”

Okowa further told the people: “Don’t be afraid, go out on election day; vote for all the candidates of the PDP, stay behind, monitor the votes and ensure that the results are not altered.”

Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Council, Hon. Constantine Ikpokpo, had thanked HOSTCOM for recognising the achievements of Governor Okowa and for endorsing him for second term.

The meeting was attended by the representatives of oil producing communities in Ijaw, Ndokwa, Ika, Urhobo, Itsekiri and Isoko ethnic nationalities.

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