Osteen Oyibode, Asaba

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, was, on his first day in office Monday, denied access to the Governor’s Office at the Government House Complex in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

Okowa was shocked at the development as he was being conducted round the offices within the complex by the Government House Permanent Secretary, Benson Oburoh.

As the Oburoh led Okowa to the Governor’s Office, it was discovered that the keys to the office were not readily available for the governor to access his office and begin his official assignment.

A faction of his entourage attributed the development to the frosty relationship between the immediate past governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and Dr. Okowa, as some alleged that the ex-governor might still be holding on to the keys.

But a source in the Government House exonerated the ex-governor, saying that the denial of access to Okowa’s office was the making of some aides to the new governor who are believed to be supervising some remedial works in the office.

Okowa’s inspection of the Government House complex followed a prayer session at the Government House Chapel which was attended by his wife, Edith, Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, politicians and staff of the complex.

Speaking at the brief service, Senator Okowa urged Deltans to continually pray for the success of the programmes and policies of their leaders, stressing that prayer is the key to success.

“Christians especially Deltans have a burden to pray every day for the success of the state, Delta State will go places by the grace of God. I want to assure you all that I will always join this devotional service every morning throughout my tenure”, the governor said.

He called for the support and understanding of Deltans for the success of his administration.

In his exhortation, the Chaplain of the Chapel, Rev. Ben Golley urged Deltans to shun negative criticisms, excessive and unnecessary praises, stressing that they need to pray for their leaders and support them for the growth of the state.

Senator Okowa later inspected a guard of Honour mounted by the Nigeria Police and was taken round the various offices and halls in Government House by the Permanent Secretary.

•Photo shows Okowa