Delta Political Debate Deepens As Ibegbulem Rebuts Ochei Over Okowa
Fresh Political Exchange Rekindles Debate Over Delta Leadership
POLITICAL discussions ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle have intensified in Delta State following a strong defence of former Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa by Hilary Ibegbulem, who challenged remarks reportedly attributed to former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei.
In a statement responding to an interview allegedly linked to Ochei, Ibegbulem said that while he had not independently verified the authenticity of the interview, the claims attributed to the former Speaker required clarification in the interest of public understanding and historical accuracy.
The intervention has added a fresh dimension to ongoing political conversations within Delta State as political actors and stakeholders position themselves ahead of future electoral contests.
Revisiting Political Decisions and Ambitions
A major aspect of Ibegbulem’s response centred on Ochei’s reported assertion that his political decisions had never been motivated by personal ambition.
According to Ibegbulem, historical events surrounding the 2014 political season present a different narrative. He recalled that Ochei was allegedly encouraged by political stakeholders to pursue the Delta North Senatorial seat while supporting Okowa’s governorship aspiration.
Instead, Ochei reportedly opted to contest the governorship primary, where he eventually lost to Okowa before leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to pursue a senatorial bid on another platform.
Ibegbulem argued that these developments raised legitimate questions regarding the motivations behind some of the political choices made during that period.
Defending Okowa’s Credentials and Public Service Record
The statement also sought to highlight Okowa’s long-standing record in public service.
Ibegbulem described the former governor as one of Delta State’s most experienced political leaders, citing his progression through multiple levels of governance, including local government administration, state executive positions and two terms as governor.
According to him, Okowa’s political journey reflects decades of public service and administrative experience that have shaped his influence within Delta State and beyond.
He further argued that support for Okowa in previous elections was driven by confidence in his leadership abilities rather than by political sentiment alone.
Rejecting Claims of Family-Based Political Succession
Addressing allegations concerning family influence in elective positions, Ibegbulem dismissed suggestions that Okowa was promoting relatives or in-laws for political offices.
He specifically refuted claims linking certain political aspirants to the former governor through family ties, describing such assertions as inaccurate and misleading.
According to him, attempts to frame emerging political ambitions as extensions of family interests risk distorting the realities of Delta State’s political landscape.
Legacy, Loyalty and the Road to 2027
Beyond the immediate dispute, the statement underscored broader questions about political legacy, loyalty and leadership succession within Delta State.
Ibegbulem maintained that Okowa continues to enjoy goodwill among many former associates and political stakeholders due to relationships built over years of service.
As conversations surrounding the 2027 elections gather momentum, analysts believe such exchanges reflect an emerging contest over political narratives, influence and succession within Delta North and the wider Delta political establishment.
For Ibegbulem, however, the central issue remains leadership capacity, arguing that public office should ultimately be determined by competence, experience and proven service rather than personal rivalries or political disagreements.
