By Eseoghene Emuke
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Monday held a Thanksgiving Service to celebrate his re-election victory at the Governorahip and State House of Assembly held on Saturday in the state.
The governor, at the thanksgiving attended by former Governor James Ibori, the state deputy governor, Kingsley Otuaro and Senator Jmaes Manager dedicated his re-election victory to God.
Speaking at the thanksgiving service held insideGovernment House Chapel, Asaba, Governor Okowa called on his rival, Chief Great Ogboru and all Deltans to join him in building a greater state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okowa as the winner of the election having polled a total of 925, 274 votes against his closest rival, Chief Ogboru of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who scored 215, 938 votes.
The governor flanked by his wife, Dame Edith and wife of his deputy, said, “Before the elections, we heard all manners of stories but, we trusted in God and those who led the campaign trusted in God.
“I want to appreciate every one of them; I want to appreciate my leader, former Governor James Ibori; yes! We heard several stories but, we also ask our own question, how will they do it without the votes of the people?
“By the grace of God, we won very convincingly in the 23 out of the 25 local government areas of the state and lost marginally in the two local government areas that we lost.
“We have come here (Government House Chapel) to give thanks to God because, we are a praying state and whatever victory or success we have recorded is as a result of His benevolence.”
While thanking the people of the state, the governor said there was no loser in the election as he personally asked Ogboru and other opponents to support his administration’s effort at growing the state.
“There is no loser, this is the time to join hands together and build a greater Delta State. Our opponents should join us as I seek the cooperation; the partnership of all Deltans because, we have done so much but, a lot more will be done in the next four years starting from May 29.
“As I seek for your cooperation and partnership as Deltans, I also seek for your prayers, we must work hard to take Delta State to greater heights; we need to be peaceful because, with peace, we will achieve a lot,” Governor Okowa said.
He reiterated that, “My desire is that as I leave office as Governor in 2023, we should be proud of the job we have done together in our state and give thanks to God; please, trust in the Lord our God.”
The Chaplain of Government House Chapel, Ven. Charles Osemenam had in a sermon, stated, “Delta State is unique and the uniqueness of Delta makes everything work peacefully.
“When a thing is of God, the thing is unstoppable; we are here to say, Father, thank you because, if not for God, the enemy will be rejoicing; people will know that there is God in Delta State.”
