ASABA – By Okiemute Okpomor Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has appointed the immediate past Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Edwin Uzor and his Deputy, Hon. Emmanuel Ighomena as Special Advisers with a call on political office holders to adjust to economic realities of the country.
Speaking at the swearing-in of the Special Advisers on Monday in Asaba, Dr. Okowa observed that with the current economic situation of the country where the masses are in pains, political office holders should also, adjust their style of living as “it is no longer business as usual.”
According to the Governor, “at challenging times such as this, all political office holders should know that they should bear the pains; there is grumbling among the political appointees and among those holding elected positions and it shows that some of them don’t know the economic situation of the country, as politicians holding positions, we need to submit ourselves to some levels of pains, we have to make sacrifices, we cannot afford to live large when the people are in pains, we cannot afford to live large when the economy is in recession.”
Dr. Okowa spoke further, “the allocation from the federation accounts to Delta State is less than 50 per cent of what is required to pay salaries, but, we should not despair, we should be strong and give our people hope because, in a few months’ time, we will come out of this situation, stronger.”
The governor disclosed that appointing Chief Uzor and Hon. Ighomena as Special Advisers had become necessary as Chief Emmanuel Ogidi and Barr. Kingsley Esiso resigned their positions as Special Advisers to enable them contest for different positions in the party where Esiso emerged victorious as the chairman of our great party, the PDP in the state and Ogidi also emerged victorious in the position he contested for.
While congratulating the duo, the governor specifically, charged them to look beyond party affairs in carrying out their duties, reiterating, “your duty is to all Deltans and your advise will no longer be restricted to advancing the PDP but to Deltans as a whole.”
Responding on behalf of his colleague, Uzor, assured Governor Okowa and the people of Delta State of their loyalty and commitment to ensuring prosperity for all Deltans.