By Anthony Arugba
Last Saturday did not pass on as an ordinary day in Eku, Ethiope East Local Government but ended as one to remember. And on that faithful day, the constituents’ two clans- Abraka and Agbon Clan, converged to celebrate an illustrious son. The auspicious event was scheduled to have held in January, but due to unforeseen circumstances it held on Saturday March 3, 2023. Despite the early morning cold weather which felt as though Eku community was sharing boundary with an ice land, the leaders and constituents still came out in their large numbers to wine and dine with Akpowowo. The event was scheduled for 9:00 am but started at exactly 11:45 am.
The ceremony was one of a kind for some reasons. First, it afforded the Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly and Member representing Ethiope East, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, the opportunity to thank his party leaders, elders and members as well as constituents of the LGA for the mandate they gave to him during the March 18, 2023, House of Assembly election. And that mandate was phenomenal as it broke the jinx of dominance by the opposition party led by the hitherto formidable Great Ovedje Ogboru, who eventually capitulated to the victory of the current governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborewovri.
The last time the party won an election in Ethiope East, was in 2011 when Rt. Hon. Akpomedaye Emeyese won the House of Representatives seat. Since that victory, the opposition ran rough shot on the party, making light work of it at every election. The party was kept in abeyance in Ethiope East for the better part of 12 years. In fact, at the sound of election, there was this seeming apprehension among party members due to the vice-grip hold of the opposition.
However, all that horrifying experience of electoral losses came to a screeching halt, owing to providence and the political wizardry of Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, Director of Protocol Government House, Hon. Chief Sunday Onoriode, PDP Chairman in Ethiope East, Hon. Felix Erhimedafe, Rt. Hon. Akpomedaye Emeyese, LG chairman, Pharm Victor Ofobrukueta and other party genius at the 2023 House of Assembly and governorship elections.
They came together and came up with a blue print on how to break free from the strangulation hold of the opposition, leading to a dominant victory. The party won nine out of the 11 wards in Ethiope East.
Therefore, at the residence of Rt. Hon Akpowowo, they had one singular thing in mind, which is to celebrate the growing unity amongst PDP members and emerging consolidation of the party as occupants of the state assembly seat that has eluded the party for over 12 years.
This, of course, forms the plank of the address of the host, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and Member representing Ethiope East Constituency when he harped on the need for all to remain united to consolidate on the path of victory that led to his emergence as member representing Ethiope East Constituency and subsequently as Deputy Speaker of the State Legislature even as a first timer.
When the handsome, broad shouldered with intimidating height Akpowowo approached the centre stage to deliver his speech, the constituents went into frenzy. There were repeated wild chants of ‘Osu’! ‘Osu’! Osu! As the speech commenced, the chants became rapturous while he pleaded for silence wearing a fine smile enchanting enough to disarm an enemy combatant.
The love towards Akpowowo is unarguably true. The same love and admiration lawn tennis fans have for Roger Federer, who played tennis with elegance and made it look like art. Same way golf fans love the legendary and iconic Tiger Woods, who has 15 majors title to his name.
Akpwowo has this enchanting personality, little wonder his peers at the Delta State House of Assembly voted for him as the Deputy Speaker. In the history of the Delta State House of Assembly, there was never a time that a first timer held the position of Deputy Speaker.
For Akpowowo’s peers to have nominated and elected him, a first-timer at the House of Assembly as their deputy speaker, it means there must be something spectacular about his personal character and ability to accommodate his colleagues.
Today, countless numbers of employment letters have been handed over to qualified constituents in various sectors such as lecturing, teaching, health and other government Parastatal and Agencies all thanks to Akpowowo who made it possible.
Of course, It’s no longer news that the Office of the Deputy Speaker has facilitated political appointments into various government offices, within and across his Constituency.
He is currently delivering purposeful representation to the people and it will only get better because he has not only shown promise, but also matched words with action barely seven months as Ethiope East representative.
There is breath of fresh air in Ethiope East! The party not only won the election in convincing fashion, it also broke the bone of the opposition.
PDP is back to winning ways in the local government and the bond of unity stronger than ever. Going forward, they will approach the 2027 election with confidence, renewed vigor and testimony of robust representation by Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo.
The highlight of the event was a motion moved for a vote of confidence on Governor Oborevwori, by a former member of the House of Representatives for Ethiope Federal Constituency, Rt Hon Akpodiogaga Emeyese, and seconded by Chief Midwest Omo West, for the governor’s exemplary good governance strides and unbiased leadership style.
