Senator Ifeanyi Okowa Emerges PDP Gubernatorial Candidate for the 2015 Election

With many candidates at the PDP primaries just concluded now, the Delta born medical doctor emerges the victorious gladiator. He is to face APC's O'Tega Emerho and other possible gubernatorial candidates. Information has it that he has been anointed by GEJ himself.

Okowa distinctly defeated all of his opponents by a 406 delegate votes. Other votes are: Elumelu 50 votes, Victor Ochei 185 votes, David Edevwie 299 votes, Sam Obi 10 votes, Dr. Okubo 5votes. His victory was celebrated by both his opponents in a sportsmanship way and his counterparts. This is the height of coordination in a primary election which goes to show some high level of maturity and sanity amongst Deltans and the PDP.

Okowa was born at Owa-Alero in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State. He attended Edo College, Benin City (1970–1976), then went on to the University of Ibadan where he studied Medicine and Surgery, graduating in 1981 with an MBBS degree. After leaving the National Youth Service Corps, he worked with the Bendel State Hospitals Management Board as a Medical Officer. He entered private practice as Director, Victory Medical Centre, Igbanke in 1986. 

Okowa became Secretary to the Ika Local Government and then Chairman of the Ika North-East Local Government Council (1991–1993). He was Delta North Coordinator of the Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM). He joined the PDP in 1998, and assisted in Governor James Ibori's campaign in 1998/1999. He served as a Commissioner in the Delta State government for Agriculture and Natural Resources (July 1999 – April 2001), Water Resources Development (April 2001 – May 2003) and Health (September 2003 – October 2006)

Okowa resigned to contest in the 2007 PDP primaries for Governor of Delta State, but did not succeed. In June 2007, Ifeanyi was appointed Secretary to the Delta state Government.

Ifeanyi was elected Delta North Senatorial candidate in the January 2011 PDP primaries with 942 votes, but the result was challenged by party leaders who favoured Marian Amaka Alli as candidate. He was re-elected in a rerun where he scored 1,446 votes, against 108 votes for Dr. Maryam Alli.In the April 2011 election for the Delta North Senatorial seat, Ifeanyi won 98,140 votes, ahead of runner up Prince Ned Munir Nwoko of the Democratic People's Party, who won 67,985 votes. It was reported that there was still tension regarding the election in January 2013