OKOWA, DELTA NORTH’S UNMATCHED POLITICAL ASSET FOR SENATE, BY ALHAJI AUWAL TUKUR

As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, Delta North approaches another defining moment in its political journey and the conversation must move beyond slogans and party symbols. It must focus on one question: who has the capacity, experience, and proven commitment to advance the interests of the Anioma people at the National Assembly? This is important because since the creation of Delta State, which is multi-ethnic, the Anioma people have always strategically used the instrumentality of the Senate for attaining equity and development.

For this reason, I make the case that Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa remains a political asset that Delta North cannot afford to overlook in the race for Senate at this time. Some people may want to ask, why Okowa?

A Record of Delivery at the State Level:

Leadership they say is best judged by results. As Governor of Delta State for eight years, Dr. Okowa governed under the SMART Agenda framework. Verifiable data tells us that the SMART agenda translated into over 1,000km of roads constructed and rehabilitated across Delta North, significant upgrades to general hospitals and primary healthcare centres with modern equipment intalled, and sustained investment in education infrastructure that birthed three universities and social welfare health insurance scheme that has become a model for other States across the federation.

His administration’s STEP and YAGEP programs trained and empowered thousands of youths across the senatorial district, creating pathways to self-reliance line like has never been seen in a region where unemployment and underdevelopment was a pressing issue. That kind of direct intervention matters.

Legislative and Executive Experience

Let me State for the record that the Senate is not an entry-level institution. It demands lawmakers who understand procedure, lobbying, budgeting and how to convert constituency needs into federal policy and projects.

Dr. Okowa’s political journey gives him that advantage. He has served as Secretary to the Delta State Government, Commissioner for Health, Commissioner for Agriculture, Senator representing Delta North, and two-term Governor. That latitude of experience means he already knows the workings of the Red Chamber and the corridors of power in Abuja. For Delta North, that wealth of experience translates to stronger representation and better access to federal resources.

It is on record that during his first tenure as Senator, Dr Okowa sponsored various bills. One of the bills to note was passed into law as National Health Act 2014. This legislation, among other things, mandated that 1% of the Federal Government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund be dedicated to the development of Primary Health Care (PHC) across the country. It also provided a framework for standardizing the National Health System, thus requiring States to participate in healthcare improvement through counterpart funds.

Understanding Delta North’s Priorities

Dear erudite readers, the challenges of Delta North are specific. They are inadequate federal presence, gaps in infrastructure, youth unemployment, and concerns around security and education. A senator from the district must therefore be someone who can legislate on these issues and also lobby for projects that address them directly, not somebody who will abandon his duties in the Red Chambers and be engaged with clout chasing on social media.

Having led the State through similar challenges as outlined above, Okowa understands the gap between policy and impact. He has demonstrated interest in healthcare, agriculture, and human capital development including the empowerment of widows— areas critical to the growth of Anioma communities.

The Case for Continuity and Capacity

Elections are about the future, but the future is built on lessons from the past. There is no gain saying the fact that Delta North needs a senator who does not require a learning curve, a Senator who can hit the ground running from day one, sponsor and co-sponsor bills that matter to the senatorial district and effectively oversight federal agencies on projects meant for the people.

That is the value of political assets: people whose experience becomes the people’s advantage. Dr. Okowa fits that description.

Democracy thrives when voters choose based on antecedents, not sentiments. . From Dennis Osadebey, Sen. Osakwe, Sen. Nwaboshi and now Okowa, Delta North has had a history of producing leaders who have shaped national discourse. To sustain that tradition, we must send representatives who combine local knowledge with national reach.

Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has served Delta North before, and the record of that service is open for review. As we decide who carries the mandate of Delta North to the Senate, experience, capacity, and commitment should guide us. On those counts, Okowa stands out as a political asset for Delta North.

Alhaji Auwal Tukur, A Public Affairs Commentator, writes from Mecca, Saudi Arabia.