2027 Rumble: Okowa’s Camp Fires Back at Victor Ochei, Debunks Nepotism Claims

Dr. Hilary Ibegbulem, a close ally of former Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has launched a scathing rebuttal against former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei.

Responding to a controversial interview attributed to Ochei, Ibegbulem dismissed allegations of political impunity, nepotism, and alienation leveled against the former governor, describing them as “misleading narratives” designed to advance personal ambition.

Ochei purportedly said his opposition to Okowa’s candidacy, was a fight against “political impunity” alleging that the current Delta State Governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, had previously tried to persuade him not to run against Okowa.

But Ibegbulem sharply countered the narrative, stating that Governor Oborevwori’s intervention was not an admission of Ochei’s electoral strength, but rather a reflection of a shared consensus that Okowa remains the most qualified candidate.

“Senator Okowa’s public service record is one that few politicians can rival,” Ibegbulem said, pointing to Okowa’s history as a medical doctor, local government chairman, commissioner, Secretary to the State Government, and two-term governor.

“It is curious that anyone would seek to diminish such a distinguished record”, he contended.

Ibegbulem specifically took a swipe at Ochei’s allegations that Okowa was attempting to monopolize Delta politics by fielding his daughter and an alleged in-law for elective positions.

Setting the record straight regarding the 2027 race for the Ika Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat, Ibegbulem clarified that the APC candidate, Mr. Emmanuel Osazuwa, has absolutely no family ties to Okowa.

Osazuwa, he noted is an indigene of Oza-Nogogo (Ika South), and his wife is from Osun State.

“There is no blood relationship or affinity between Okowa and the candidate”, Ibegbulem said, querying why Ochei was attempting to act as a self-appointed spokesman for constituencies he does not represent.

Ibegbulem maintained that in the 2014 PDP primaries, Ochei reportedly rejected a compromise deal to run for Senate and instead insisted on contesting the governorship primary against Okowa, pointing that after losing, he defected to the Accord Party to run for Senate, where he suffered a crushing defeat.

“He was defeated by the late Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, winning only his local government area while losing the remaining eight by substantial margins,” Ibegbulem noted, questioning whether Ochei’s motives have ever truly been about the collective interest of Delta North.

Dismissing claims that Okowa has alienated his political allies, Ibegbulem argued that the former governor’s enduring influence across Delta State is proof of his deep-rooted goodwill.

He challenged Ochei to look inward regarding his own political relationships and structures, declaring that the electorate will ultimately decide based on capacity rather than rhetoric.

The full article is reproduced below:

RE: RESPONSE TO A PURPORTED INTERVIEW ATTRIBUTED TO VICTOR OCHEI

By Dr. Hilary Ibegbulem

My attention has been drawn to a purported interview attributed to Victor Ochei in which several allegations and assertions were reportedly made concerning the political leadership and legacy of His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, CON.

At the outset, it is important to emphasize that I use the word purported deliberately, as I have not independently verified the authenticity of the interview. This clarification is necessary to ensure fairness and to avoid attributing statements to Ochei that he may not have made.

However, if indeed the views expressed in the interview accurately represent his position, then certain historical facts and political realities deserve to be placed before the public in the interest of balance and truth.

Ochei reportedly claimed that his political actions have never been driven by personal ambition but by a desire to challenge what he described as political impunity. While every politician has the right to present his motivations as he deems fit, the political history of Delta State offers a perspective that citizens are entitled to consider.

In 2014, I’m aware that Ochei was invited to a meeting where a highly respected leader from the Niger Delta region and indeed Nigeria encouraged him to contest for the Delta North Senatorial seat under the then ruling party while supporting Senator Ifeanyi Okowa’s governorship aspiration. Senator Okowa was present at that meeting.

Ochei declined that opportunity and instead chose to contest the governorship primary election against Senator Okowa. Following the outcome of that exercise, he subsequently left the party and contested for the Senate under the Accord Party platform. The outcome remains a matter of public record. He was defeated by the late Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, winning only his local government area while losing the remaining eight (8) local governments by substantial margins.

It is therefore legitimate to ask: was that political decision motivated by the collective interest of Delta North or by personal political aspiration? The people are free to draw their own conclusions.

Ochei reportedly referenced Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s efforts to persuade him not to contest against Senator Okowa. For the avoidance of doubt, such intervention should not be misconstrued as an acknowledgment of electoral superiority. Rather, it reflected a widely shared conviction that Senator Okowa’s vast experience, national stature, and proven leadership credentials make him exceptionally qualified to represent Delta North at the Senate.

Indeed, Senator Okowa’s public service record is one that few politicians can rival. A medical doctor who graduated from the prestigious University of Ibadan at the age of twenty-two, he built a successful professional career before entering public service. He served as Executive Chairman of Ika North East Local Government Area, Commissioner in several ministries, Secretary to the State Government, Governor of Delta State for eight years, and presently remains one of the most experienced political leaders produced by Delta State.

It is therefore curious that anyone would seek to diminish such a distinguished record in an attempt to advance a political argument.

Ochei reportedly stated that he told Governor Sheriff Oborevwori that Senator Okowa should not be contesting because his daughter is contesting an elective office and that he was also allegedly bringing an in-law into the political equation. Such a statement raises an important question: when did Ochei become the spokesman for the people of Ika North East State Constituency? More specifically, why is he so concerned about who the people of Ika North East choose to represent them in the Delta State House of Assembly? In a democracy, the choice of representatives belongs exclusively to the electorate and not to political commentators or aspiring candidates for other offices.

It is equally important to set the record straight regarding the claim about Senator Okowa allegedly promoting an in-law for elective office. The facts do not support such an assertion. Senator Okowa does not have an in-law contesting for any elective position within the Delta North Senatorial District or the Ika Federal Constituency.

If Ochei was referring to Mr. Emmanuel Osazuwa, the APC candidate for the Ika Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat in the forthcoming 2027 general election, then he is clearly mistaken. Mr. Osazuwa is an indigene of Oza-Nogogo in Ika South Local Government Area, while his wife is from Osun State. There exists no blood relationship, affinity, or familial connection between Senator Okowa and either Mr. Osazuwa or his wife. Consequently, any attempt to portray Mr. Osazuwa’s aspiration as an extension of Senator Okowa’s family interests is not only inaccurate but also misleading.

Public discourse should be guided by facts rather than assumptions. Political debates are healthy for democracy, but they must be anchored on verifiable truths. The people deserve facts, not narratives constructed to fit predetermined conclusions.

Ochei reportedly suggested that Senator Okowa alienated those who supported his political rise. The facts suggest otherwise. Many of the individuals who stood with Senator Okowa throughout his political journey continue to maintain cordial relationships with him today. His enduring influence across Delta State is itself evidence of the goodwill and loyalty he has cultivated over the years.

Equally, fairness demands that public figures subject themselves to the same standards they seek to apply to others. Political history is replete with individuals who contributed to Ochei’s emergence and growth in public life. The public may legitimately ask what became of those relationships and what political structures he, in turn, has built for others.

Furthermore, the narrative that Senator Okowa represents political privilege is fundamentally inconsistent with the facts. His journey was built on hard work, discipline, professional excellence, and decades of dedicated service to the people. He was not born into political power. He earned his place through commitment, sacrifice, and consistent performance.

Ultimately, politics should be about service, competence, and proven capacity. The people of Delta North are politically enlightened and capable of distinguishing between rhetoric and reality. They understand that leadership is not measured by media appearances or social media narratives but by demonstrable achievements and the ability to deliver results.

As discussions concerning 2027 continue, the critical question remains straightforward: who possesses the experience, network, capacity, and track record required to effectively advance the interests of Delta North at the national level?

On that question, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa’s record speaks eloquently for itself.

Res Ipsa Loquitur – the facts speak for themselves.