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Let’s not equivocate here. Indexes and optics in the political space widely suggest that the electoral race to represent Delta North in the Senate in 2027 is a direct contest between former governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.
Victor Ochei of the National Democratic Party (NDC).
Evidently, projecting a contest that is likely to spew soap-box rhetoric, anxieties, euphoria, political drama, horse-trading and, perhaps, defamation, is a no-brainer: Okowa and Ochei have bounced into the political ring with unmatched superlatives and solid social capital.
Also commendably, the roll call of honor from these former political allies tells a compelling story of extraordinarily impressive public and private service careers: years invested and sacrificed largely in altruistic, people-centered endeavors.
For example, a careful look at Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s CV says it all: medical doctor; chairman of the board; Health Commissioner; Secretary to the Delta State Government (SSG); Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Two-term governor of Delta State, former vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections.
In contrast, the Honorable Victor Ochei is no longer new to the public and political space.
He has a degree in Chemical Engineering; Founder/Chairman of Day Notch Nigeria Limited, a global engineering company; Delta State House Assembly Member representing Aniocha North Council; Deputy Minority Leader; Assembly Speaker of the Delta State House; Executive Director of Maritime Labor and Cabotage Services at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NlMASA); President, among others, of the Nigerian Tennis Federation.
Without deception, the “strengths” of these political figures make each of them eminently qualified to represent the Anioma nationality in the Red Chamber.
However, it is known that making a choice between these two main contenders, especially by voters in a dynamic and highly unpredictable democratic space like ours, where selfish and primal feelings prevail, is certainly a Herculean task, yet a candidate’s “report card” remains an added advantage.
For Okowa, he is seen as primarily a grassroots politician who speaks in terms of mass mobilisation, especially in the nine councils that make up the Delta North senatorial district.
Evidently, the former governor’s stay in the political trenches for over three decades also tells a reassuring story of those who understand the hidden currents and dynamics of the “capture” of power.
Furthermore, Okowa has other political resources to bring to the field of electioneering; he has vast and extensive experience in the executive and legislative arms of government, and no matter how hard his detractors hit him, being a former state executive, he has quite a few tangible and verifiable scorecards to present to his North Delta constituents.
As the campaigns intensify, he will promptly reveal to his North Delta voters the dividends of democracy he has provided as a sitting governor.
Even his consultative town hall meetings have devolved into a kind of endorsement by mainstream institutions, albeit an exercise dismissed by the Ochei camp as a mere smokescreen in a democratic dispensation anchored on the mantra of one man, one vote.
Furthermore, for a political strongman largely believed to be an establishment candidate, Okowa would be waging a double war against his contenders, as he will leverage not only the state government’s mobilization drive, but most likely also its almost inelastic financial strength.
The truth is that Okowa’s opponents must be prepared to deepen their resource base to match him in the battle royal for the exalted Abuja seat.
At this point, then, it is tempting to ask: are Okowa’s intimidating credentials and solid service delivery profile over the years enough to intimidate any of his adversaries into throwing in the towel and making a careful and timely retreat from the political battlefield?
In other words, can Ochei, a major contender, continue to face a man who has calmed various political storms, tempests and near-deadly intrigues?
Well, the feelings you get from those who know Ochei closely say that he is not one to easily run away from political battles, many others describe him as a human dynamo and an incurable optimist who dares where even angels gently creep in.
Furthermore, he is coming into the electoral arena with a dose of youthful dynamism and vivacity.
At 57, Ochei is believed to be capitalizing on his mass appeal among the youth, as his message of generational shift in leadership resonates far and wide across the nine North Delta councils.
He and his many supporters are already attacking Okowa for allegedly imposing an underground political dynasty for his family and friends.
However, Ochei, who flaunts his impressive performance as a former MP for Aniocha North, echoes that his mission in the Senate is to replicate the same feat in the entire Delta North, insisting that he has the capacity and political sagacity to attract federal presence in Anioma land more than any other candidate.
Ochei and his supporters are taking his message of redemption to the city, claiming that he is on a rescue mission, to bridge what they call “huge infrastructural decay” in Delta North, despite the area’s role in the electoral victory of the now APC-led administration in the state.
In his single-minded bid to realize his vision in the Senate if elected, Ochei launched a 10-point agenda encapsulated in all-encompassing governance, better security, empowerment, employment opportunities, infrastructure, agriculture, productivity, among others.
Furthermore, the former president draws on the integrity and impeccable qualities of his party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to drive home his message of redemption.
Furthermore, the NDC flagbearer is making a lot of capital out of what he deems the country’s “stifling difficulties” caused by the removal of fuel subsidies by the APC-led federal government, to market his candidacy.
Well, as the January 16, 2027 polls approach, the most pertinent questions on many lips are: Between Okowa and Ochei, who blinks first? Will Ochei, a candidate described by many Okowa supporters as a featherweight, manage to spring a surprise, and perhaps upstage the steely former governor in the electoral contest? Or will the enigmatic Okowa win the coveted Senate seat without any problems?
After all, let’s not beat our chests about which direction the political pendulum will swing
the projections and permutations here are mere conjectures buried in the womb of time.
Nwagboniwe, journalist, writes from Lagos.
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