The political corridors of Delta State are currently buzzing with a singular, provocative narrative: the “Okowa Boys” are whispering that Senator Ned Nwoko is wary of a 2027 showdown with former Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
However, a closer look at the evolving landscape suggests that it is actually Okowa’s path back to the Senate that remains clouded by uncertainty.
While Ifeanyi Okowa was once revered as the undisputed “Oracle” of Delta politics, the 2023 General Elections served as a significant reality check for his perceived invincibility.
His political capital took a public hit when he failed to deliver his own hometown and ward to the PDP, losing them to the surging Labour Party wave.
Consequently, critics argue that even if Atiku Abubakar had secured the presidency, Okowa would have entered the Vice Presidency with a weakened hand, having struggled to maintain dominance within his primary constituency.
Since handing over the reins to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Okowa has been in a constant battle to remain relevant, working behind the scenes to keep his political machinery intact.
Yet, his recent maneuvers have raised more eyebrows than support. Despite his long-standing status as a pillar of the PDP, his recent involvement with the “Renewed Hope Agenda”—a platform synonymous with the APC-led federal government—has sparked widespread confusion.
This shift became particularly evident when he was inaugurated as the South-South Coordinator for the initiative in Asaba.
The event was notably shunned by all South-South Governors, an absence that has led many to ask: Is Okowa being distanced by the regional political elite?
Against this backdrop of isolation, the stage is being set for a heavyweight clash in the Delta North Senatorial District. To return to the Red Chamber, Okowa must unseat the incumbent, Senator Ned Nwoko, who has built a distinct brand of visibility and legislative engagement.
Nwoko has particularly solidified his standing with his constituents through his aggressive push for the creation of Anioma State, a move that resonates deeply across the district.
Ultimately, for Okowa to defeat Senator Nwoko, he must prove that his influence is not merely a remnant of his time in the Government House, but a living force capable of winning an election without the full weight of the state apparatus behind him.
As 2027 approaches, it remains to be seen if the “Okowa Boys” are sensing genuine fear in Ned Nwoko, or if they are simply whistling in the dark as the tide of Delta politics permanently turns
