Politics
DELTA NORTH 2027 SENATORIAL ELECTION : IT IS A NO NO FOR DR IFEANYI OKOWA
By Fred Akpewe Senior media analyst
As the political atmosphere gradually builds toward the next electoral cycle, conversations around representation in Delta North Senatorial District are beginning to take centre stage.
Expectedly, familiar arguments rooted in entitlement, rotation, and political sentiment are resurfacing. However, it is imperative to redirect this discourse toward a more substantive and democratic benchmark: performance.
Dr Okowa ‘s decision to go back to the Senate after a lackluster 8 years as governor and a previous four years as Senator representing Delta North is a direct insult to the sensibilities of Delta Northerners. That the whole of Delta North has no light should be something of shame to Dr Okowa. He squandered the golden opportunity to make Okpai IPP a citadel for lighting the whole of Delta North. Dr Okowa as Governor of Delta State for 8 years lost the opportunity to intervene in Ogwashi uku dam, a facility that has the capacity to provide clean water and irrigation to more than 60 communities around Ogwashi Uku.
Dr Okowa failed to deliver on the Kwale industrial park which he made a lot of noise about . It is for these reasons that the whole of Ndokwa Nation and indeed other parts of Delta North see his 2027 Senate bid as a huge joke . Dr Okowa’s former constituents have been asking derisive questions about what Dr Okowa wants to go to the Senate to do when he is unable to give an account of stewardship as a Senator and as a Governor. What impactful projects did he attract to Delta North , especially to the Ndokwa Nation? What is Okowa’s moral reason for wanting to unseat Senator Ned Nwoko who has been adjudged a star Senator of the 10th Senate due to his humongous contributions to law making, oversight and impressive representation of his constituents .
It is Dr Okowa’s shambolic performance as a Senator and his inability to utilize his 8 years as Governor to transform Delta North that has given Senator Ned Nwoko headaches in Okpai IPP and Ogwashi Uku dam . When we blame Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for refusing to support the two projects, we should also remember that his Predecessor, Dr Okowa refused to look that way at all. What business has such a man going back to the Senate and why should ANIOMA people support him?
The Senate is not a ceremonial chamber; it is a critical institution that demands legislative competence, strategic influence, and measurable impact. Therefore, representation in Delta North cannot and should not be reduced to a mere turn-by-turn arrangement or emotional claims of entitlement. Rather, it must be anchored on a demonstrable scorecard.
In evaluating representation, constituents must ask fundamental questions: What bills have been sponsored? What motions have been moved that directly impact Delta North? How effectively has the district been positioned within federal development priorities? These are the metrics that define purposeful leadership.
Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko’s tenure offers a compelling case study in performance-driven representation. Within a relatively short period, his legislative footprint has been marked by proactive engagement, policy advocacy, and constituency-focused interventions. From sponsoring impactful bills to attracting developmental projects and amplifying the voice of Delta North on the national stage, his record speaks beyond rhetoric. Senator Ned Nwoko’s grand advocacy for the creation of ANIOMA state has gained tremendous traction and has endeared him to the ANIOMA people as their Champion. By consistently advocating that he wants an ANIOMA state in the South- South Dr Okowa has been penciled down as someone who does not support the creation of ANIOMA state at all. Such a man should not be trusted with a Senate job – he is in fact the agent provocateur, the number one antagonist of the ANIOMA state creation .
Beyond legislation, effective representation also encompasses accessibility, responsiveness, and strategic networking within the corridors of power. The ability to translate influence into tangible benefits for constituents remains the true test of leadership. This is where performance outweighs mere political claims.
It is also important to emphasize that democracy thrives on informed choices. The electorate must resist attempts to reduce elections to simplistic narratives of entitlement. Doing so undermines merit and weakens the very foundation of representative governance.
As Delta North looks ahead, the choice before the people is clear: to embrace a culture of accountability rooted in performance or to revert to a system that prioritizes entitlement over excellence. The future of the district depends on this decision.
Ultimately, elections are not about whose turn it is—they are about who has delivered, who can deliver, and who possesses the capacity to advance the collective interests of the people. Delta North deserves nothing less.
The Delta North Senatorial election should serve as a referendum on performance, not entitlement. A scorecard-driven evaluation ensures that leadership is earned, not assumed.