ASABA – The political landscape in Delta State is facing a wave of scrutiny following the public endorsement of the immediate past Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, by high-ranking officials—most notably the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme.
The move has sparked intense debate regarding the impartiality of the current administration and whether the “playing field” remains level for other political aspirants within the state.
Critics argue that the Deputy Governor’s visible involvement in the endorsement serves as a proxy for the Governor’s own stance.
This public display of affiliation has led many to question if the state leadership is prematurely narrowing the field to selected few
It is obvious that the presence of the Deputy Governor suggests the administration has already chosen a side, potentially alienating other qualified candidates.
This will of course raise fear that this “frontline” endorsement signals to other intentional contestants that the door is already closed, stifling democratic competition within the party.
Some party insiders believe that even if the Governor held a preference, it should have remained confidential to maintain the appearance of a fair and inclusive leadership style.
While the endorsement was celebrated by Okowa’s core supporters, it has not met with universal approval.
A significant faction within the political circle suggests that the focus should instead be on the “next generation” of leaders, with specific names like Dr. Hilary Ibegbulem, the former Principal Secretary to Okowa, has surfaced.
Supporters of this view argue that sponsoring a “political son”—someone with proven loyalty and deep administrative experience—would have been a more natural progression than doubling down on established figures.
”The Governor is expected to be a father figure to all members of the party. By leaning so heavily into one camp this early, the administration risks creating a divide that may be hard to heal come election time.” — Anonymous Political Analyst
As the fallout from the endorsement continues, all eyes remain on the Government House to see if a more inclusive approach will be adopted to satisfy the growing calls for transparency and fairness.
