By Emeka Okafor
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Tuesday visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo over issues relating to the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
The meeting was held behind closed doors at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Penthouse residence, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Although a statement issued by Obasanjo’s Media Assistant, Kehinde Akinyemi, described the visit as ” private”, it was gathered both leaders discussed the Delta governor’s 2023 ambition.
It was also gathered that Okowa, who is rumoured to be interested in the Presidency either as President or Vice President, also discussed Delta 2023 governorship election with the former President.
Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa on Tuesday, met former President Olusegun Obasanjo behind closed doors in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
But Okowa, according to the statement issued by Akinyemi, said the Delta Governor stated that the visit was part of a consultation on the need to address the nation’s socio-economic and insecurity challenges in Nigeria.
The governor was quoted to have said Nigeria is “badly troubled”, and it is high time leaders like Obasanjo and other stakeholders, are consulted in order to find lasting solution to the challenges.
“It is time the country have to come together, all well-meaning people, all stakeholders must come together to think Nigeria first. We need the collective effort of all at this period.
“This is something that is threatening the fabric of our unity and not something we have to play with,” the statement quoted Okowa to have said.
He added: “the situation is getting worrisome and it’s time we all have hands on deck to be able to find solution.
“As it stands today, the APC government alone would not be able to deal with it and they need to find wide and a far-reaching consultation, not with those in government alone, but, all stakeholders, particularly those who have been part of running this country before and now, including even religious leaders we need to sit together and discuss the way forward.”
The governor described Obasanjo as “someone who truly understands Nigeria”, saying the country needs to tap from his experience and knowledge to tackle its challenges.
Okowa, however, said he has not made up his mind on whether he would vie for presidency in 2023 or not.
“As at today, I have not made up my mind. The important thing is not about myself, is about the nation, Nigeria. The future of hope. What level of consensus can we build in order to achieve our dream. Our dream is to see Nigeria begin to have an improvement in our security and in the level of economy. These are somethings we have not achieved at the moment.”
“The country is so stressed, so much stress in the land, so much unemployment, so much inflation and unfortunately the things that unite us are badly threatened and we cannot even be sure of tomorrow. These are the things we must discuss. We must all come together to stop this tide of drift at the moment, that is the type of things we should be more concerned about,” Okowa said.
