Okowa Returns From US, Attend Funeral With Uduaghan, Ibori, Amid Report Of Deepening ‘Cold War’

Despite reports that there is growing animosity between Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and his predecessor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, the two dramatic personae flanked by former governor, Chief James Ibori were sighted together on Friday at the funeral of late Estate Management guru, Sir Fortune Ebie.

Governor Okowa and his predecessor, Uduaghan, reports say are allegedly nursing animosity, which developed after the 2014 primary of the Peoples Democratic Party, where the former governor was alleged to have supported another aspirant against Okowa, who was then the senator representing Delta North, Punch had reported.

The newspaper had reported that the cold war between Uduaghan, and his successor, Okowa, came into the open on Thursday as Uduaghan accused the incumbent administration of plotting to discredit everything he did while he held sway as governor.

The reason for the ill-feeling, reports says stemmed from the reported scrapping of policies and programmes initiated by Uduaghan by his successor.

BigPen Online recalls that Uduaghan had sometime ago following report that he was having a “running battle” with his successor had said there is desperate attempt to undermine his legacies, maintaining however that his achievements and legacies will continue to speak for him and continue to endear him to the people of the state.

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But in the face of the development, the duo were seen seated together at the funeral ceremony which was also graced by ex-governor, James Ibori.

Okowa who returned to the country Thursday night after his short vacation in the United States of America was accompanied by his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Barr. Kingsley Esiso and other top government officials to the funeral service held at the Cathedral Church of St. John (Anglican Communion), Agbor.

The governor is expected to transmit a fresh letter to the state House of Assembly on Monday notifying them of his return and resumption of duty as governor.