By Peter Legacy | NOL24 Media Cathedral
ASABA, Delta State — The political contest for the 2027 Delta North Senatorial seat intensified on Thursday as Dr. Hilary Ibegbulem issued a detailed rebuttal to remarks allegedly made by former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, defending the political legacy and credentials of former Governor Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.
In a strongly worded statement titled “Response to a Purported Interview Attributed to Victor Ochei,” Ibegbulem questioned both the substance and motivation behind the comments reportedly credited to Ochei while insisting that historical facts favor the former governor.
At the outset, Ibegbulem noted that he had not independently verified the authenticity of the interview and deliberately described it as “purported.”
“This clarification is necessary to ensure fairness and to avoid attributing statements to Ochei that he may not have made,” he stated.
Revisiting Political History
The statement revisited the political events leading up to the 2015 governorship election in Delta State, arguing that Ochei’s political trajectory reflected personal ambition rather than the principled resistance to political impunity he allegedly portrayed.
According to Ibegbulem, Ochei was encouraged in 2014 by a respected Niger Delta leader to contest for the Delta North Senate seat while supporting Senator Okowa’s governorship aspiration.
“Ochei declined that opportunity and instead chose to contest the governorship primary election against Senator Okowa,” Ibegbulem said.
Following his defeat in the PDP governorship primary, Ochei later left the party and contested for the Senate under the Accord Party platform.
Ibegbulem argued that the outcome of that election remains a matter of public record.
“He was defeated by the late Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, winning only his local government area while losing the remaining eight local government areas by substantial margins.”
The statement challenged Ochei’s narrative and posed a rhetorical question to the electorate.
“Was that political decision motivated by the collective interest of Delta North or by personal political aspiration? The people are free to draw their own conclusions.”
Defense of Okowa’s Credentials
A significant portion of the statement focused on highlighting Okowa’s extensive public service record.
Ibegbulem described the former governor as one of Delta State’s most experienced political leaders, citing his progression from local government chairman to commissioner, secretary to the state government, governor, and national political figure.
“Senator Okowa’s vast experience, national stature, and proven leadership credentials make him exceptionally qualified to represent Delta North at the Senate.”
The statement further noted that Okowa graduated from the University of Ibadan as a medical doctor before embarking on a career in public service.
“His journey was built on hard work, discipline, professional excellence, and decades of dedicated service to the people.”
Rejecting Nepotism Allegations
Ibegbulem also addressed claims reportedly attributed to Ochei suggesting that Senator Okowa was promoting family interests through political appointments and electoral ambitions.
He dismissed suggestions that Okowa has an in-law contesting for elective office within Delta North or the Ika Federal Constituency.
Referring specifically to Emmanuel Osazuwa, the APC House of Representatives candidate for Ika Federal Constituency, Ibegbulem stated:
“There exists no blood relationship, affinity, or familial connection between Senator Okowa and either Mr. Osazuwa or his wife.”
He described attempts to connect Osazuwa’s political ambition to Okowa’s family interests as “inaccurate” and “misleading.”
Loyalty, Influence and Political Relationships
The statement further challenged assertions that Okowa had alienated political allies who supported his rise to power.
According to Ibegbulem, many of those who worked closely with the former governor remain loyal to him and continue to maintain cordial relationships.
“His enduring influence across Delta State is itself evidence of the goodwill and loyalty he has cultivated over the years.”
He added that public scrutiny should apply equally to all political actors, including Ochei.
“The public may legitimately ask what became of those relationships and what political structures he, in turn, has built for others.”
Battle for Delta North Intensifies
The exchange underscores what is increasingly shaping up to be one of the most closely watched political contests ahead of the 2027 general elections in Delta State.
With prominent political figures positioning themselves for the Delta North Senate race, analysts believe debates over political legacy, influence, experience, and succession will continue to dominate public discourse.
For supporters of Senator Okowa, his years in public office and extensive political network remain major assets. For challengers, the contest presents an opportunity to argue for a new direction and alternative leadership.
As the political temperature rises, Ibegbulem insists that the electorate should focus on measurable achievements rather than political rhetoric.
“The people of Delta North are politically enlightened and capable of distinguishing between rhetoric and reality.”
He concluded by framing what he believes should be the central issue of the coming contest:
“Who possesses the experience, network, capacity, and track record required to effectively advance the interests of Delta North at the national level? On that question, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa’s record speaks eloquently for itself.”
Editor’s Note: The report reflects the claims and opinions contained in Dr. Hilary Ibegbulem’s statement. The authenticity of the interview attributed to Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei has not been independently verified, and Ochei may respond to the allegations and assertions contained therein.
Excerpt
RE: RESPONSE TO A PURPORTED INTERVIEW ATTRIBUTED TO VICTOR OCHEI
By Dr. Hilary Ibegbulem
My attention has been drawn to a purported interview attributed to Victor Ochei in which several allegations and assertions were reportedly made concerning the political leadership and legacy of His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, CON.
At the outset, it is important to emphasize that I use the word purported deliberately, as I have not independently verified the authenticity of the interview. This clarification is necessary to ensure fairness and to avoid attributing statements to Ochei that he may not have made.
However, if indeed the views expressed in the interview accurately represent his position, then certain historical facts and political realities deserve to be placed before the public in the interest of balance and truth.
Ochei reportedly claimed that his political actions have never been driven by personal ambition but by a desire to challenge what he described as political impunity. While every politician has the right to present his motivations as he deems fit, the political history of Delta State offers a perspective that citizens are entitled to consider.
In 2014, I’m aware that Ochei was invited to a meeting where a highly respected leader from the Niger Delta region and indeed Nigeria encouraged him to contest for the Delta North Senatorial seat under the then ruling party while supporting Senator Ifeanyi Okowa’s governorship aspiration. Senator Okowa was present at that meeting.
Ochei declined that opportunity and instead chose to contest the governorship primary election against Senator Okowa. Following the outcome of that exercise, he subsequently left the party and contested for the Senate under the Accord Party platform. The outcome remains a matter of public record. He was defeated by the late Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, winning only his local government area while losing the remaining eight (8) local governments by substantial margins.
It is therefore legitimate to ask: was that political decision motivated by the collective interest of Delta North or by personal political aspiration? The people are free to draw their own conclusions.
Ochei reportedly referenced Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s efforts to persuade him not to contest against Senator Okowa. For the avoidance of doubt, such intervention should not be misconstrued as an acknowledgment of electoral superiority. Rather, it reflected a widely shared conviction that Senator Okowa’s vast experience, national stature, and proven leadership credentials make him exceptionally qualified to represent Delta North at the Senate.
Indeed, Senator Okowa’s public service record is one that few politicians can rival. A medical doctor who graduated from the prestigious University of Ibadan at the age of twenty-two, he built a successful professional career before entering public service. He served as Executive Chairman of Ika North East Local Government Area, Commissioner in several ministries, Secretary to the State Government, Governor of Delta State for eight years, and presently remains one of the most experienced political leaders produced by Delta State.
It is therefore curious that anyone would seek to diminish such a distinguished record in an attempt to advance a political argument.
Ochei reportedly stated that he told Governor Sheriff Oborevwori that Senator Okowa should not be contesting because his daughter is contesting an elective office and that he was also allegedly bringing an in-law into the political equation. Such a statement raises an important question: when did Ochei become the spokesman for the people of Ika North East State Constituency? More specifically, why is he so concerned about who the people of Ika North East choose to represent them in the Delta State House of Assembly? In a democracy, the choice of representatives belongs exclusively to the electorate and not to political commentators or aspiring candidates for other offices.
It is equally important to set the record straight regarding the claim about Senator Okowa allegedly promoting an in-law for elective office. The facts do not support such an assertion. Senator Okowa does not have an in-law contesting for any elective position within the Delta North Senatorial District or the Ika Federal Constituency.
If Ochei was referring to Mr. Emmanuel Osazuwa, the APC candidate for the Ika Federal Constituency House of Representatives seat in the forthcoming 2027 general election, then he is clearly mistaken. Mr. Osazuwa is an indigene of Oza-Nogogo in Ika South Local Government Area, while his wife is from Osun State. There exists no blood relationship, affinity, or familial connection between Senator Okowa and either Mr. Osazuwa or his wife. Consequently, any attempt to portray Mr. Osazuwa’s aspiration as an extension of Senator Okowa’s family interests is not only inaccurate but also misleading.
Public discourse should be guided by facts rather than assumptions. Political debates are healthy for democracy, but they must be anchored on verifiable truths. The people deserve facts, not narratives constructed to fit predetermined conclusions.
Ochei reportedly suggested that Senator Okowa alienated those who supported his political rise. The facts suggest otherwise. Many of the individuals who stood with Senator Okowa throughout his political journey continue to maintain cordial relationships with him today. His enduring influence across Delta State is itself evidence of the goodwill and loyalty he has cultivated over the years.
Equally, fairness demands that public figures subject themselves to the same standards they seek to apply to others. Political history is replete with individuals who contributed to Ochei’s emergence and growth in public life. The public may legitimately ask what became of those relationships and what political structures he, in turn, has built for others.
Furthermore, the narrative that Senator Okowa represents political privilege is fundamentally inconsistent with the facts. His journey was built on hard work, discipline, professional excellence, and decades of dedicated service to the people. He was not born into political power. He earned his place through commitment, sacrifice, and consistent performance.
Ultimately, politics should be about service, competence, and proven capacity. The people of Delta North are politically enlightened and capable of distinguishing between rhetoric and reality. They understand that leadership is not measured by media appearances or social media narratives but by demonstrable achievements and the ability to deliver results.
As discussions concerning 2027 continue, the critical question remains straightforward: who possesses the experience, network, capacity, and track record required to effectively advance the interests of Delta North at the national level?
On that question, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa’s record speaks eloquently for itself.
Res Ipsa Loquitur – the facts speak for themselves.
