Detailed Analysis: Criticisms Against Okowa As Running Mate To Atiku, Wicked , Unnecessary  – Takeme

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By Binebai Princewill 

Chairman, Delta South Senatorial District of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dr. Julius Takeme (JP) has defended His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State for becoming running mate to Alahaji Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2023 general elections under the platform of PDP. 

The Delta South PDP Chairman made the assertion earlier today via a statement he personally signed and issued to newsmen in Warri, a copy of which was sent to The Liberator Newspapers Worldwide. 

The Delta South PDP Chieftain while defending Okowa as the vice Presidential candidate of the PDP to Atiku had described those criticising the choice of His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa as wicked souls, stressing that those behind the criticisms are not only wicked and evil but noted that the attacks are totally uncessary and far from political realities in Nigeria. 

According to Chief Dr. Julius Takeme, while going into the history of PDP, he said:

“In 1998, the PDP in its first presidential primary election held in Jos, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria nominated former military leader Olusegun Obasanjo from the South (West)  who had just been released from detention as the presidential candidate in the elections of February 1999, with Atiku Abubakar as his running mate. They won the presidential election and were inaugurated 29 May 1999. The Obasanjo/Atiku administration lasted till 2007. After 8 (eight) years with power in the South. 

“In December 2006, Umaru Yar’Adua ) was chosen as the presidential candidate of the ruling PDP for the April 2007 general election, receiving 3,024 votes from party delegates; his closest rival, Rochas Okorocha, received only 372 votes. Yar’Adua was eventually declared the winner of the 2007 general elections with our brother and respected leader, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as his running mate,  and was sworn in on May 29, 2007. Unfortunately after few years into his administration, Yar’Adua died and again a Southerner, Goodluck Jonathan took charge and ruled the country as President until 2011 to complete the Yara’Adua first tenure. 

“Again, in 2011, PDP presidential candidate Goodluck Jonathan from the South emerged  victorious in the 2011 presidential elections with Namadi Sambo as Vice President for a fresh tenure. 

“In the 2015 elections, the incumbent president and PDP presidential nominee, Goodluck Jonathan, was defeated by General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress by 55% to 45%, losing by 2.6 million votes, out of approximately 28.6 million valid votes cast. Out of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, General Muhammadu Buhari won 21 states while President Goodluck Jonathan won 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“In essence,  out of the 16 years of PDP rule in Nigeria by holding power at the centre from 1999 to 2015, the South actually held unto power for 14 years. This include the Yara’Adua’s two years tenure that was completed by Goodluck Jonathan before going for his fresh tenure in 2011. For the purpose of clarity, out of the 16 years, Obasanjo ruled  8 years, Goodluck Jonathan 6 years while Yara’dua from the North 2 years due to his untimely demise.”

Speaking beyond the PDP, Dr. Takeme said  that with the emergence of President Mohammadu Buhari of APC as the President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo from the South has been his Vice President for these years as well, noting that those attacking Okowa for being the running mate to Atiku are people that do not understand the political nuances in the country. 

He noted that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa did not betray the South, stressing that Nigerians, particularly the PDP should focus on how they can work to reclaim the presidency come 2023 and not petty sentiments and peddling of untrue stories. 

Takeme continued that  with the emergence of Okowa as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, it will be a win win for the PDP in the South South and South East as his birth blood and good works spread across these regions. 

Nevertheless, the PDP Delta South Chairman, Dr. Julius charged party leaders and followers to see the emergence of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as the running mate to Atiku as the will of God, adding that the PDP and Atiku have done the right thing by choosing Okowa as the running mate. 

“Okowa is the best man for the job. In politics, one cannot win all the time, if today is not for you, tomorrow might be for you, we should all accept the outcome and get to work in order to deliver the PDP come 2023 and not playing the victimization game. 

“As a people from the South South, we have to thank our vibrant PDP 2023  presidential candidate, Alahaji Atiku Abubakar for chosen one of our best in South South, Okowa as his running mate, we should give them the needed support to win come 2023.”

Takeme had opined that Okowa is an opportunity for the South to produce President of the country by the grace of God after Atiku must have completed 8 years tenure of the North in the presidency starting from 2023.

He continued that by the grace of God, when power should be moving to the South, Okowa would be in a better place to be the President of the country from the South.

Meanwhile, Takeme had described Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate as a foremost nationalist in Nigeria, stressing that he has the democratic, political and leadership credentials to move Nigeria forward with Atiku. 

Dr. Julius said Nigerians are already tired of the APC led presidency in Nigeria, noting that the ruling party is not ready to bequeath anything good for Nigerians, rather than hunger, insecurity, employment, moribund state of educational institutions in Nigeria and other unhealthy activities in the country, stressing that Atiku/Okowa 2023 is the best chance for Nigerians to get it right. 

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