If Loyalty Is Foolishness, I Choose to Be Foolishly Loyal to Okowa — Ex-Principal Secretary Ibegbulam

Says Comparing My Popularity to My Mentor Is Not Only Unfair—It’s Hurtful

Hilary Obioma Ibegbulem (PhD), a former Principal Secretary to immediate past governor of Delta State, and 2023 Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has reacted to a social media posts that attempted to pit his popularity and political relevance against that of his mentor and former governor of Delta State.

Ibegbulem, in a statement posted on his Facebook page, on Sunday, expressed regret over the post which tried to compare him with his boss, stressing the deep and longstanding relationship he has shared with Senator Okowa, dating back over two decades.

Hilary Obioma Ibegbulem (PhD)

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He detailed his various roles in the senator’s political journey from being his Personal Assistant to Senior Legislative Aide and Principal Secretary during his tenure as governor.

He highlighted the mentorship and trust bestowed upon him by the elder statesman.

Ibegbulem vehemently condemned the social media post which tried to compare his popularity with Okowa, describing it as mischievous, hurtful, and unacceptable, reaffirming his unwavering loyalty to Senator Okowa.

Senator, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa

“A son is not in competition with his father,” he declared, stressing that his place is always by his mentor’s side, not in rivalry.

He expressed his commitment to loyalty and gratitude, dismissing any notions of rivalry or opportunism, and reaffirming his allegiance to the legacy they have built together.

The statement reads in full; “My attention has been drawn, with deep concern, to certain publications making the rounds on social media where some individuals are attempting to compare my popularity and political relevance with that of my boss, mentor, and father figure, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the immediate past Governor of Delta State.

“I must state clearly and without hesitation that such comparisons are not only mischievous but also profoundly hurtful and entirely unacceptable. For over two decades, I have walked closely with this great leader, beginning from the year 2001. I served him as his Personal Assistant for seven (7) years, as Special Assistant when he was Secretary to the State Government for four (4) years, as Senior Legislative Aide during his four (4) years in the Senate, and as Principal Secretary throughout his eight (8) years as Governor of Delta State.

“This is the man who believed in me when I had little, who employed me into the civil service in the year 2000 immediately after my service, and who nurtured me, guided me, and trusted me with responsibilities that shaped my life, my character, and my career. Everything I am in public service today is inseparable from his mentorship, his patience, and his confidence in me.

“To now suggest that I should be compared with him in popularity or political relevance is to misunderstand both my journey and my heart. A son is not in competition with his father. A student does not measure himself against his teacher. My place has always been, and will always remain, by his side.

“Let it be known to all that my loyalty to His Excellency is total, unwavering, and non-negotiable. I make no apologies for it. If loyalty is foolishness, then I choose to be foolishly loyal. I will never trade gratitude for ambition, nor will I exchange honour for opportunism. Betrayal and disloyalty are values I do not possess.

“I remain eternally grateful to my boss, my mentor, and my leader, His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. I stand with him, I stand for him, and I stand by the legacy we have built together”.