The Delta State PDP has reacted sharply to the recent Press release issued by Barr. Ogheneluemu Sylvester Imonina, Publicity Secretary, APC, Delta State, titled: MISPLACEMENT OF PRIORITIES BY THE GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE, describing the statement as uncharitable, uninformed, unpatriotic and sadly unnecessary and diversionary, especially at this time when Nigerians are celebrating the joyful accomplishment of our Super Eagles for qualifying to participate in the 2019 African Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroun.
The reaction was contained in a prompt rejoinder issued by the Delta PDP Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza, who further likened the APC statement as a case of “Sour grapes,” given the very fact that the wonderful feat of the Super Eagles was achieved with the considerable contributions of Governor Okowa, who not only provided the ultra-modern, state-of-the-art Stephen Keshi International stadium in Delta State as preparation camp and home for the Super Eagles, but equally provided the great incentive of cash reward for each goal scored, which no doubt motivated the boys, as was obvious in their play for those who watched the game, to a well-deserved result and ultimate qualification for the AFCON 2019.
Dr. Osuoza starts by saying that: “There is a very popularly adage, which says that, Silence is the best answer for people whose penchant for tom-foolery and provocation is well known and honestly that would have been the appropriate response to the recent Press Statement released by Barr. Ogheneluemu Sylvester Imonina, the Publicity Secretary, APC, Delta State. However, there is another poignant universal truism that silence can sometimes mean consent and thus it becomes pertinent to reluctantly engage Barr. Ogheneluemu Sylvester Imonina briefly and highlight a few things which he and the APC obviously missed in their hurry to write something bad against Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Delta State”.
According to Osuoza, “The Press Statement by Barr. Sylvester Imonina is not only foolhardy, unpatriotic and sadly unnecessary and diversionary, especially at this time when Nigerians are celebrating the joyful accomplishment of our Super Eagles for qualifying to participate in the 2019 African Nations Cup tournament in Cameroun, but can also be described as a case of “Sour grapes,” because the wonderful feat achieved by the Super Eagles was accomplished by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who displayed admirable national patriotism, by not only providing the ultra-modern, state-of-the-art Stephen Keshi International Stadium in Delta State to help the Super Eagles prepare in comfort for the big national assignment, but equally promised the incentive of cash reward for each goal scored, which no doubt motivated the fighting spirit in our boys to score goals and win the game, as was obvious in their play for those who watched the game”.
The PDP Spokesman further noted that “The Super Eagles soared gallantly to a well-deserved result in South Africa and ultimate qualification for the AFCON 2019 tournament as a result of the unflinching commitment of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to support the effort of our National team. And by the way, the Super Eagles scored only ONE GOAL in the match against South Africa, which means that they will get =N=10,000,000/= Naira according to the APC calculation. The question we want to ask Deltans is this: Is =N=10million too much to give to our National team for the glory and happiness they have brought for Nigeria and Nigerians? Lest we even forget, our Delta son Amaju Pinnick is the Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF and some of our Delta sons are shinning stars in the Super Eagles squad, so has Governor Okowa done wrong or “committed squandermania” by supporting our own to achieve this national victory?
“Indeed it is a real shame that the Delta APC is actually challenging a contribution, which has even brought pride and praise to the inept, unfocused and retrogressive Federal Government which it controls at the centre and this, no doubt is a clear reflection of the anti-people, anti-Nigerian policy of the APC; a party that does not want to see Nigerians happy and has done everything to make our people suffer in poverty, sadness and unhappiness to the point that they will even quarrel with the victory of our Super Eagles. Something must be wrong with a political party which does not see anything good in what others have done but will choose to criticize unnecessarily because it wants to be heard always
“We do not wish to remind the APC again that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has been dubbed: “the Road Master” for obvious reasons or to reel out statistics of the giant strides that have been achieved in the education sector, from Primary through Secondary to Tertiary and vocational institutions in the State, including the recent release of over =N=300million to settle the bursaries of our students. We also do not wish to dwell much on the dedicated efforts of the Governor Okowa administration to harness the talents of our youths through the various youth programmes in sports, skills acquisition, job creation, and information technology, that have been unveiled and implemented in the last three years. All these and many more will be unfolded as we embark on our comprehensive campaign tours to all the nooks, crannies and creeks across Delta State, which has already commenced.
“And as for the issue of =N=30,000/= minimum wage, Governor Okowa has pledged that he will address the matter appropriately when we get to that bridge. But suffice it to note that Delta State is only one of the few States in the country that has continued to pay salaries regularly and up to date and has even recently cleared the huge inherited backlog of salaries owed to Local Government workers. Ekwueme will always do as he says. We have no doubts about that.
“The Delta PDP is quite happy to note that the Delta State APC has in their own words urged “Deltans to dust their PVCs in preparation for sacking a government that does not think of their welfare/interest, but the interest of few persons in the corridor of power”. This is exactly what the Buhari and APC government represent for Nigerians and Deltans will not only sack them in the 2019 elections, but will make sure that the PDP and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa achieve landslide victory over a confused, scattered and disorganised party like APC, which cannot even put its own house in order and yet want to bring their lies, confusion and misinformation to government.
“Deltans say: NO WAY FOR APC IN 2019,” Osuoza concluded with a conviction.
Long live PDP
God Bless Delta State
Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza
State Publicity Secretary.
PDP, Delta State.