Ibori, Okowa Disagree On Atiku’s Running Mate

The political conflict between Delta State Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori, has resurrected.

The conflict may not be unconnected with who to represent the state as running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).

While Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is said to be lobbying for the post, Chief Ibori is said to be working against it, preferring to pay back the incumbent governor over the roles he played in the last state governorship primary where the latter’s preferred aspirant lost out.

Ibori, known as a close friend of Atiku Abubakar, was said to have prevailed on the PDP presidential candidate that Governor Okowa cannot be trusted with such position and that the party should look for another person if eventually the slot is to be given to Delta State.

Speaking on the development, Mr Charles Aniagwu, the commissioner for information, said Governor Okowa as the leader of the party in the state had done well to the extent that nobody can stand as an opposition to such ambition.

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The Contest For Atiku’s Running Mate

While saying that it is only God that can stop Governor Okowa’s ambition, he said there was no reason for such animosity.

“Both Ibori and Okowa work closely, both of them respect each other. I have not seen Ibori speak bad of Okowa while l have not seen Okowa speak bad of Ibori. Okowa is working hard to reposition the party. If he did not pick senatorial form for the slot of running mate was his personal decision.

“Many delegates voted for Atiku, not only the 25 delegates from Delta State gave him victory. Delegates from across the nation voted for him. Okowa once had a stint in the Senate, so his plan is to reposition the party,” Aniagwu stated.