Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential aspirant, Alhaji Ahmed Markafi, have advocated for the best person to emerge as the President of Nigeria in 2019.

The duo spoke yesterday (13/08/18) when Senator Markafi met with PDP delegates for the forthcoming national convention of the party in Asaba.

According to Governor Okowa, “going into 2019, it is only God that can decide the best for us as a country, and as a party, the best we can do is to ensure free and fair primaries at the national convention.”

“There is no doubt that listening to Senator Ahmed Makarfi he understands the problems of this country, he has a lot of exposure and he is a very honest man,” the governor said.

He continued: “As you (Alhaji Makarfi) continue to reach out to Nigerians, travelling by road will expose you more to a lot and we hope you continue to do your best as you take your campaign to every part of Nigeria.

“As a State Governor, I will continue to stay as neutral as I can.”

Alhaji Makarfi had listed his achievements and sacrifices for the PDP disclosing: “I am not an opportunist; in 2007, I was basically the presumed candidate to take over from President Olusegun Obasanjo but, for some reasons, person who was behind me in the ballot, was selected, we have never been given a task that we did not perform and we remain focused and never distracted.”

“PDP must present a credible candidate that all class of people will feel comfortable with, associate with and come out to cast their votes for and protect the vote, if we act correctly, the people will be with us and the finances will be enough to give the party victory, but, if we present a wrong candidate, no amount of money will give us victory,” Makarfi further said.

He disclosed that when elected as President, he will restructure the country in the interest of every Nigerian and this will include “institutional restructuring to make our institutions accountable to the people.”

Alhaji Makarfi also called for the decentralisation of power distribution and generation for the sake of equity and urged the Federal Government to stop all sorts of killings and clashes going on in the country.

Chairman of PDP, Delta State chapter, Barr. Kingsley Esiso, in his welcome address, described Markafi as a straightforward personality, a gentleman, a consensus builder and a good manager of man and resources.

•Photo by Jibunor Samuel shows Governor Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd right); Immediate Past National Chairman PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi (right); Delta State PDP Chairman, Barr. Kingsley Esiso (2nd left)and former Deputy Governor of Delta State, Chief Benjamin Elue, during PDP Meeting held in Government House Asaba.