GOV OKOWA AND HIS UNFLINCHING STRENGTH OF CHARACTER AND LOYALTY. BY ONYIYE.OLOMU.

In the current sphere or environment of Nigeria' s politics,the likes of Gov Okowa are in a class of sort no doubt. Just as it is said generally,the strength of a man's character is never known in the day when all seem very rosy but in that day that adversity comes calling.

Of course, most persons did not express any surprises when Gov Okowa was appointed the Chairman of the unique 2017 Convention Planning Committee of the PDP.

To some others,why should this ordinarily constitute a form of cheering news to the teeming lovers and supporters of the Governor?Well,it is because for a Party that just narrowly emerged victorious from the occurrences of the mishandling of the last National Convention, the choice of the current Committee members was one deliberately meant for only diehard and tested loyalists and handlers in the Party.

　

Yes,it is heartwarming that amidst the millions of loyal and committed party faithful, the choice of the Convention Chairman was found in Gov Okowa. Most PDP adherents can attest that the loss of the 2015 Elections ( particularly at the Federal level) actually sent shocking waves that not only rattled many of them but unraveled hidden intents and motives why most of them chose to belong to the party in the first place.

It is indeed very convenient to belong to a ruling party in possession of very gargantuan financial wherewithal and muscle but it is a different ballgame when such a party suddenly becomes the opposition to a vengeful ruling party at the Centre. Quite remarkably, the loss of the PDP and the eventual skirmishes between the Sherif and Markafi factions were to lead to the mass exodus of party faithful and even of leading lights.

We recall too that prior to the General Elections,five prominent PDP Governors and their followers left the Party to join the New APC thereby dealing a heavy blow to the PDP.

However, Gov Okowa is one man that has resolutely stood with his Party throughout it's very challenging moments.

As a Senator, while some colleagues secretly or openly romanced the then members of the breakaway PDP in order to play safe and perhaps gain on both sides of the divide, Gov Okowa remained staunch in his commitment to the mainstream party.

At that point in time for Gov Okowa,it was a test to either remain loyal to his ideological convictions -which were rooted in the Party' s ideals as established by its Founding Fathers-or to cave in to the selfish crave to become Governor by all means possible; including of course, having to betray a party that hitherto gave him so much political leverage.

During this period also, Gov Okowa had had the initial challenge of emerging the Gubernatorial candidate of the Delta State PDP for the 2015 General Elections. That was one period that anyone without deep-rooted loyalty and convictions (but possessing vast grassroots support and followership nonetheless) would have succumbed to the lures of other political parties to join them and secure tickets. But not Governor Okowa.

Even also the choice of some few kith,kins,supporters and followers to join the now- extinct Sherif group could not deter Gov Okowa in his resolve to sink or float with the Party while maintaining the unflinching stance that despite the recent judgment of the Supreme Court,that those formerly disagreeable members still remain welcomed to the PDP folds.

Today,the nation no doubt parades APC Governors, Ministers, legislators and stalwart who were not only founding members of the PDP but who exited the latter few months away from the General Elections of 2015.

While this piece is not targeted at vilifying any party man for their political choices, it is however intentioned to strike a chord that persons like Gov Okowa deserve commendations for their strength of character and loyalty which are germane for the preservation of Democracy and essentials or qualities that leaders who expect to offer quality leadership to others should possess.

　

For Deltans, this disposition of the Governor is reassuring. What this strength of character, loyalty and commitment of Gov Okowa obviously translates to is that Deltans have found a leader who will never renege on his contract with them to deliver the dividends of Democracy no matter the odds.

Definitely, it is not yet uhuru in Delta State. But so far,Deltans may have seen a Governor whose legacies are already stamped in almost all sectors of their lives through his well- crafted SMART Agenda.

　

Moreover,this one fact should keep the hearts of Deltans at peace and it is that no matter how belligerent the forces of recession and dwindling revenues appear to assail the nation and Delta State,they can confidently rest assured that they have unmistakably and rightly made a choice of a Governor whose steel- like commitment, loyalty and character will eventually ensure that smiles remain on their faces long after the expiration of his tenure.
 God bless Delta state.