ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State says Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate, recorded wins in the South-South and South-East during the election, due to religious and ethnic sentiments.
Okowa, the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, stated this on Monday in Asaba while reacting to the outcome the contentious presidential poll.
Recall that Obi won in southeastern States of Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Anambra.
Also, Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State won in Okowa’s Delta, as well as Cross River and Edo States.
Okowa said: “A lot of factors contributed to the sweeping victory of Obi in South-South and South-East.
“The agitation that the Presidency should come to the southern part of the country, religion and Igbo presidency are key factors.
“The Obidient movement is a movement that swept across the South-South and South-East. The people wanted Obi as a change. They believe it is the turn of South-East. I believe that people have exercised their rights in a democratic process but INEC did not follow the Electoral Act.”
Speaking on whether he had been in talks with former Governor James Ibori over affair of the PDP in the State, Governor Okowa said: “It is a private issue for us as politicians and I can’t disclose to you our talk.”
In response to the criticism by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress and the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Okowa said he had no regrets for establishing three new universities in the state.
“I do not regret establishing three new universities. As of today, four universities are functional in Delta State.
“Those critising me because they want to be governor of this state and telling Deltans lie over the new three universities are doing so for selfish reasons.
“The three new universities have done first and second intake of students of not less than 5,000 students.
“The important thing is that I have brought education closer to the my people. The tuition fees of these institutions are low compared to other institutions.
“While the Federal Government keeps students at home over eight months strike, Delta State universities graduated students, while others are moving to next class,” Okowa said.