The Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCOM) in Delta, have endorsed the re-election bid of Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa barely 48 hours to the poll.
Okowa’s main rival is the All Progressive Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru.
The oil and gas producing communities also pledged to cast their votes for other candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
NAN reports that this was the outcome of a meeting convened by the group in Oleh, the administrative headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area of the state on Thursday.
The meeting was attended by the representatives of oil producing communities in Ijaw, Ndokwa, Ika, Urhobo, Itsekiri and Isoko ethnic nationalities.
Mr Gabriel Isibeluo, the Chairman of HOSTCOM in Delta, said that the group decided to endorse Okowa for a second term, because of the numerous achievements he had brought to the state.
Isibeluo said that the re-election of the governor would enable him to continue with the development stride of his administration.
He said Okowa had done so well in all facets of the economy, adding that his re-election would further galvanised development.
“Gov. Okowa has done a lot for the state through his well-executed projects and programmes.
“All the oil and gas producing communities in Delta hereby adopt Okowa as our sole candidate for the governorship position in the elections coming up on Saturday,” he said.
Responding, Okowa thanked HOSTCOM and the people of Delta for believing in equity and also partnering with his administration to deliver democratic dividends to the people.
Okowa also commended the HOSTCOM for providing an enabling peaceful environment for oil companies to operate.
“I want to thank HOSTCOM for recognising our achievements in the last four years and for endorsing us for continuity till 2023.
“With effective partnership, the state will witness more development in the next four years.
“We are aware that there is no state government in this country that has constructed the number of roads like we have done.
“In the next four years, we will continue to move from town to town and village to village to execute projects.
“Do not be afraid, go out on Election Day, vote for all the candidates of the PDP, stay behind, monitor the votes and ensure that the results are not altered,” Okowa said.
