Why We Decided To Support Okowa For Second Term, Back Akpowowo For DTHA —Sodje

 A political pressure group, Okowa Vanguard, United Kingdom branch, has vowed to support Okowa’s second term ambition, come 2019, saying that Okowa deserves a second term.

Speaking to Oasis Magazine during an online chat, a member of the group, Chief Bright Sodje, based in the United Kingdom, who hails from Kokori in Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state, added that they would also support Olorogun Barr. Arthur Akpowowo, an aspirant under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that has indicated interest to represent the people of Ethiope East Local Government Area in the Delta State House of Assembly, come 2019.

According to him, the group has branches in Nigeria and the United States of America and is made up of members that hail from Delta Central Senatorial District.

Excerpts…

Our readers would like to know about Okowa Vanguard, UK. What is the group about?

Okowa Vanguard is based in the United Kingdom. We have been working for Okowa since 2015.

When was the group founded and by who?

The group was founded by Chief Grace Aghoghovbia before the last general elections in 2015.

Apart from UK, where else do you have branches?

We have members in the United States of America and Nigeria.

What is/are the aims of Okowa Vanguard?

The group worked for Okowa prior to the elections in 2015. This time around, Barr. Arthur Akpowowo is on the list of politicians that we want to support. The aims are social justice, equity, fairness, creating opportunity for people and children rights. Also, we support local women and donate educational materials to schools. During the last elections, we made impact in all communities in the state, especially Delta Central.

What influenced the decision to support the Governor and Arthur Akpowowo?

We have come to understand that it is not easy to govern Delta State. For me, Okowa is doing a great job. The job is not finished yet, that is why we should vote him in for a second term to finish what he started. Then, this time around, we have studied all candidates from Delta central. All Candidates are sons of Delta central. From our findings, we agree that Evance is doing a good job, however, we feel Barrister Arthur will be the ideal person to take Ethiope East forward with his manifesto.

You hinted that the group started working for Okowa since 2015. Could you highlight specifically some of the ways you carried out this support for Okowa?

During the last election, we had events in UK and USA, promoting Okowa’s agenda e.g. SMART programme which all groups agreed was the best way forward for Delta State.

Can you hint on the manifesto of Barr. Arthur Akpowowo?

It includes creating more opportunities for young people; creating opportunities for Delta State by having a roundtable discussion with the international community with a call to them to invest in the state. He also wants to see more funding for all sports, not just football. What stood out for me in his manifesto are: a liaison office in Ethiope East for the people to have access; social security and empowerment for the local people. These are in line with us in UK and Okowa Vanguard generally.

Apart from Governor Okowa and Barr. Akpowowo, who else are you supporting, come 2019?

At present, we are still watching the Delta Central Senator. We are doing a lot of work in different communities, like our president, she is currently the Executive Assistant to the Governor on beautification. Our president has done a lot of work in her Local Government.

Is this by the group or the president?

The group through our president has made all that possible.

What is the membership strength of the group?

We have a large membership with networks in UK, US and in Nigeria.

So what is your call to Ethiope East people and Delta Central people as elections draw close?

My call to my people is to vote Okowa back and support Barrister Arthur.

How do you think Okowa’s second term will benefit Deltans, especially Delta Central?

We are hoping that Okowa will bring more development to Delta Central and more appointments.