• Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Emerald News Nigeria
  • Home
  • Inside Delta
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Relationship
  • Special Report
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Inside Delta
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Relationship
  • Special Report
No Result
View All Result
Emerald News Nigeria
No Result
View All Result

Okowa finally opens up, reveals big reason he blocked Edevbie from becoming governor

by Emerald Nigeria
May 31, 2023
in Politics
ShareTweetShareShare

Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the immediate past governor of Delta, has addressed his fallout with James Ibori, former governor of the state.

Okowa and Ibori have been at loggerheads since the Delta Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election in 2022.

Ibori had supported David Edevbie, a commissioner of finance in his administration, while Okowa threw his weight behind Sheriff Oborevwori, former speaker of the state house of assembly.
Oborevwori eventually won the primary and subsequently triumphed in the governorship election. He was sworn into office on Monday.
Okowa said Ibori’s insistence on backing Edevbie resulted in a disagreement between them.

Speaking with journalists on Sunday, Okowa opened up on why he opposed Ibori’s choice and resolved to pitch his tent with Oborevwori.

Okowa said Edevbie had tricked him into believing he would respect the Delta PDP zoning provision ahead of the governorship election in 2015.

The immediate past Delta governor said he shared his reservation about Edevbie with Ibori — but the latter was unmoved.

Also Read:

Delta PDP Chieftain Assures Party Resurgence Amidst High Profile Defections, Reaffirms Party’s Commitment to Deltans

Picking Okowa as 2023 presidential running mate was political miscalculation – PDP chieftain laments

BREAKING: I regret running with Atiku in 2023 – Former Governor Okowa accepts betraying Southern Nigeria

I’m taking charge as governor, every other person will queue behind me – Oborevwori says at defection ceremony in Asaba

Okowa and Edevbie were commissioners in the Ibori administration.

“I don’t like to talk about it but obviously there’s no doubt that we didn’t work together,” Okowa said.

“We went into the primaries not agreeing on the same candidate, we talked about it but he(Ibori) did not want to shift ground on his candidate. That’s the truth and I did not agree with that candidate for basic reasons which I made clear enough to him and also to his own candidate.

“I did not hide it. Till tomorrow, I speak about it in truth not because I thought I was a god that needed to install somebody. David Edevbie is my friend. We were with the former governor in his tenure together as commissioners, but in 2014, when it became obvious that it was the turn of the Delta North — Delta Central and Delta South had had their turns — I heard that David was going to run and he was indicating interest.

“I went from Abuja with three of my friends to visit him in Lagos — and I said ‘David, please, it’s only fair, I know that there are so many people competing but I’m coming to you as a friend. It will not be fair if you run. Governor James Ibori has been there, Governor Uduaghan has been there, it’s obviously the turn of the Delta North; why don’t you allow us to have our space so that we can all be said to be part of the state? Thereafter, we can all work for you to become governor’.

“And at the end, he said ‘I will not run anymore, I will support you’. I thanked him and left back to Abuja.”

Okowa, who was a senator at the time, said Edevbie went against his word and was holding secret meetings with stakeholders, strategising on how to become governor.

“And then suddenly, next thing we heard was that they had endorsed David but this same David had committed himself to me,” he added.

“So we went into the race, a very tough race but God enabled me to win.”

‘EDEVBIE CAN’T ENJOY ZONING HE NEVER SUPPORTED’

Although Okowa appointed Edevbie as a commissioner in his cabinet, he said the latter still proceeded with his plans on how to become the next governor.

“In the second year, I started hearing that he was holding meetings in Lagos and other places where they were already prepping him to be governor without anybody discussing with me,” Okowa said.

The PDP vice-presidential candidate noted that although the zoning rules meant the governorship seat, in 2023, would go to Delta Central — Edevbie’s zone — he was adamant that the former commissioner would not be a beneficiary.

“In the first instance, he did not want the zoning to Delta North, so if the zoning was going to continue, he’s my friend but he shouldn’t be the one to benefit from the zoning he did not want,” Okowa said.

“I’m careful in what I do so it will be difficult for me to support someone outside Delta Central but my only mindset is that somebody who did not believe in the zoning cannot be the one to benefit from it and I made it clear to the former governor.”

Okowa said Ibori met with him a few days before the primary election to reach a compromise on a fresh candidate — but he noted that it was too little, too late.

“I told him it would be difficult to withdraw support from my candidate. I don’t do things like that,” Okowa said.

Oborevwori defeated Ovie Omo-Agege, the APC candidate and deputy senate president, to clinch the governorship seat.

 

Source: TheCable
Tags: Chief James IboriDelta state governorDr Ifeanyi OkowaEdevbieIbori
ShareTweetShareSend
Previous Post

Senate approves N1.4Trillion for NDDC budget

Next Post

Buhari’s gov’t owes NNPC N2.8 trillion subsidy fees

Related Posts

Experience vs. Experiment: Delta North’s Defining Choice

Senator Nwoko wins big as 85 Senators endorse creation of Anioma state ahead of July 4 public hearing

July 1, 2025
Anambra Poised to Become West Africa’s Tech Hub — Governor Soludo

Anambra Poised to Become West Africa’s Tech Hub — Governor Soludo

June 29, 2025
Resignation: Respect Ganduje’s decision, it was made in good faith – Akpodoro tells critics

Resignation: Respect Ganduje’s decision, it was made in good faith – Akpodoro tells critics

June 29, 2025
You misrepresented facts in your press interview – APC chieftain replies Festus Okubor

You misrepresented facts in your press interview – APC chieftain replies Festus Okubor

June 28, 2025
BREAKING: Senator Nwoko Moves to Establish Federal College of Agriculture in Idumuje-Ugboko as Bill Scales First Reading

A Senator Who Shows Up: Ned Nwoko’s Groundbreaking Constituency Leadership

June 27, 2025
Finally, Atiku abandons aggrieved 5 PDP governors, read what he said will happen to PDP leadership

Waziri Adamawa Title: Mayor Akpodoro expresses concern, worries over Atiku’s indigeneship

June 25, 2025
Next Post
Buhari’s gov’t owes NNPC N2.8 trillion subsidy fees

Buhari’s gov’t owes NNPC N2.8 trillion subsidy fees

Trending

  • (Watch Video): Leaked S3x tape of another Nigerian celebrity is shared online, victim reacts as her video goes viral

    (Watch Video): Leaked S3x tape of another Nigerian celebrity is shared online, victim reacts as her video goes viral

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Senator Nwoko wins big as 85 Senators endorse creation of Anioma state ahead of July 4 public hearing

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • You misrepresented facts in your press interview – APC chieftain replies Festus Okubor

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Bridging the Digital Divide: First Lady, NDDC, RHI Champion Tech Access for Delta Students

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • We Will Celebrate His Life, Mourn His Death – Mayor of Urhoboland Commiserates with Dantata Family

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Waziri Adamawa Title: Mayor Akpodoro expresses concern, worries over Atiku’s indigeneship

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Injustices done to Africa must be restituted by colonial masters – Ned Nwoko says

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Delta First Lady Extends Food Outreach to 400 Households Under Renewed Hope Initiative

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • You’ve been a pillar of support to our people – Senator Nwoko celebrates Dein of Agbor at 48

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • A Senator Who Shows Up: Ned Nwoko’s Groundbreaking Constituency Leadership

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Latest Stories

ANTI-OPEN GRAZING LAW: Delta Activist Mulade Laments Non-Implementation, Says State Government Lacks Political Will After 4 Years of Passage

July 2, 2025

Strategic Representation: Senator Nwoko Secures Federal Appointments Across Key Sectors for Constituents

July 1, 2025

Senator Nwoko wins big as 85 Senators endorse creation of Anioma state ahead of July 4 public hearing

July 1, 2025

Senator Ned Nwoko Champions New Era for Nollywood at AGN Secretariat Launch

June 30, 2025

You’ve been a pillar of support to our people – Senator Nwoko celebrates Dein of Agbor at 48

June 30, 2025

Anambra Poised to Become West Africa’s Tech Hub — Governor Soludo

June 29, 2025

Nigeria’s Crude Oil Output Surges Past 1.7 Million Barrels Per Day, Thanks to Tantita Security Operations

June 29, 2025

Resignation: Respect Ganduje’s decision, it was made in good faith – Akpodoro tells critics

June 29, 2025

We Will Celebrate His Life, Mourn His Death – Mayor of Urhoboland Commiserates with Dantata Family

June 29, 2025

You misrepresented facts in your press interview – APC chieftain replies Festus Okubor

June 28, 2025
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

© 2024 Emerald News Nigeria.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Emerald News Nigeria
  • Inside Delta
    • Niger Delta
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Relationship
  • Special Report

© 2024 Emerald News Nigeria.