As transitions go, the unity of purpose and inclusiveness in the PDP politics of Delta State is remarkable even if it is not sometimes recognized such. After a fierce governorship primary in the party, the coming together of majority of the contestants and their followers to work and to promote a common front in the February general election is a masterstroke in political bridge-building. Credit should naturally go to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and other political leaders for making this happen.
In so many ways, Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP candidate, represents the natural trajectory in the future of Delta State; a modern, progressive, inclusive state, a success story in overcoming the artificial barriers and fault lines of the state.
With over 17 years’ experience in politics rising from council chairman, through several political offices as commissioners for health, water resources, agriculture and natural resources and secretary to the state government, including a second elective office as Delta North Senator, Okowa’s evolution has taken an instructive path that is structured for success.
What is apparent from this political narrative is that Okowa understands politics and he definitely understands Delta State. Much of his success has perhaps to do with his approach and style of politics. His common touch, human empathy, attention to detail and deep understanding of the dynamics of politics and resolute commitment to his goal has served him well.
At the tactical level, Okowa is clearly a politician who knows how to exploit weaknesses and can construct a strong system. This is not as simple as it may seem; because in the power contest, to grasp very quickly where the weaknesses lay and at the same time husband your own resources in effective way to take advantage of a given opportunity are key elements that can decide the game. If anything is Okowa’s secret arsenal, that may well be it.
Against great odds, Okowa has always found ways to triumph. His playbook is an interesting one and should become something of real interest to Deltans should he win the governorship on February 28, which in all likelihood is his to lose given the dynamics. Yet if his evolution is anything to go, it is unlikely that he is sitting on his oars. He knows there remains many mine fields.
Lest this article gives the impression that Okowa’s interest is about power and how to organize to win it, his views on Delta, governance and the economics of the state is quite thought-provoking and reassuring in terms of a strong desire to consolidate on the existing successes of the Uduaghan administration. In many ways, Okowa’s ideas can be said to be an off-shoot of the Uduaghan programme. It has to be, considering that for nearly four years of Uduaghan’s administration, Okowa was secretary to the state government.
His focus on inclusive growth, industrialization, job creation, agro-based industrial sector, urban renewal, human capital development, environment protection, is just the right emphasis that will secure the future of Delta state. Just like ‘Delta beyond Oil’, the economic aims of Okowa is directed at diversification and promotion of non-oil based economy. Actually in the light of recent crash in crude oil prices, it makes very little sense if not the height of foolishness to seek to build the economy of Delta State on oil, even with the abundance of this resource here.
Okowa is not looking in that direction. This is good news. For instance, on the issue of industrialization, he says: “The state under the outgoing administration has embarked upon certain large industrial activities such as the Warri industrial Business Park, Asaba ICT Park, Free Economic zones and 10 small scale industries under Public/ Private Partnership scheme. If completed by 2015, my administration shall accelerate the positive challenges that these mega industrial activities will offer. If not fully completed, I shall see to it that these valuable economic activities are duly completed, and engage the private sector effectively to drive commerce and grow industries.”
This statement speaks to consolidation of policies, which is a good thing from the point of view of the resources that are already invested in it and the opportunities that these initiatives will bring. If Delta State is to make progress in tackling challenges of development, it is the ability of different administrations to understand and pursue a policy of continuity that will make that possible. The idea of discontinuing what a preceding administration had done simply because it will appear as if credit for a success will now be shared instead of looking into the merit and value of a given initiative is the sort of small-minded thinking that should have no place in serious leadership.
Happily Okowa is showing that he is big in his thinking. Clearly for him, what is important is Delta State and how to advance its development. I also like the fact that he is talking about agriculture and industrialization in a very constructive manner. He says “Delta state has tremendous potential in agriculture. My administration will pursue multiple strategies that will boost agriculture produce and encourage free market for raw materials and foodstuffs. Our asset-based economic growth strategy will engender inclusive growth, job creation, and re-birth of local communities.”
This sort of thinking will surely lift Delta State on the path of balanced growth and development. Okowa’s emphasis in agriculture is the sure pathway of investing in the local communities and by this usher in the sort of real grass root development the state has been yearning for. Having once straddled the ministries of agriculture and water resources, Okowa surely have great insights on the challenges ahead in these two sectors, which are central to any meaningful development.
In addition, Okowa has always been a man with grass root interest perhaps that has to do with how he developed his political career from the local government council as secretary to the local council. So he, from the early stages of his political development understood the needs of the people at the grass roots. It is obvious the lessons he picked up then, he had retained which explains why in Delta State, Okowa has wide grass root followership.
Now is the time to pay back to the people their loyalty to him. With his current thinking, it is clear he has his mind in the right direction. He wants to bring prosperity to the grassroots and he wants to make the people feel a part of the Delta dream. With four years ahead of him with victory at the polls, there is no debating the direction he will move. Delta State PDP is excited with his candidacy. He is definitely readying himself to build on what is on ground.
Yet, no one expects that the dynamism of the Okowa plan is not going to be different, even if on some issues he shares similar views with Governor Uduaghan. That in itself is not a bad thing. In life the only thing constant is change.
- Odili, a member of Delta state PDP media and publicity campaign committee, wrote in from Asaba, Delta State.
