2023: Owhefere debunks alleged agreement to serve last term ~ Truth Reporters

08 September 2020   |   3:04 am

The Majority Leader and Honourable Member representing Isoko North Constituency, Hon. Tim Owhefere, has denied making a promise to anyone that he will not contest election in 2023.

In a reaction Monday, Special Assistant (Media & Publicity) to the Majority Leader, Palmer Ogheneyole Nathaniel, dismissed as ‘frivolous allegation and a mutilation of political facts” the claim that the lawmaker reached an agreement to the effect that he quits after his current tenure.

While reacting to a paid advert on Vanguard Newspaper of September 7, 2020 titled "Open Letter to the Governor", Owhefere said the agreement only exists in the figment of the imagination of those making the allegation.

The statement reads in full: "The attention of the Majority Leader and Honourable Member representing Isoko North Constituency, Hon. Tim Owhefere Esq., has been drawn to an open letter written to the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Sen. Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, and published on Vanguard Newspaper.

"This letter signed by unknown individuals was nothing but a figment of human imagination and outright mutilation of political facts and realities. While we do not want to join issues with the paid signees, let the following facts be put on record.

"On the allegation that Honourable Member representing Isoko North Constituency made a promise to voters in 2019 that he would not contest again as a ploy to secure their votes. We want to challenge any of the signees of the Letter to show proof of such communication. It is hereby stated emphatically that at no time did Hon. Owhefere enter into any written or oral agreement with anyone in that regard.

"On the allegation that Hon. Tim Owhefere is planning to run for a 5th Term in the House, having been assured to be made a Speaker by the Governor, His Excellency Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa. Let it be put on record that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has carefully laid down requirements for contesting the Assembly elections, and Hon. Owhefere is ably qualified if he so desire to do so. However, at no time did Hon. Owhefere tell anyone that Governor Okowa has agreed to make him a Speaker. Speakers are not made by Governors but elected on the floor of the House on inauguration, and the Govornor Okowa known to the world do not interfere in Legislative matters as the Delta State House of Assembly, now practices autonomy. We again challenge anyone with evidence to the contrary to come out with it.

"We want to encourage anyone who is interested in contesting the House of Assembly election from Isoko North to go about his intention peacefully without dragging the name of Hon. Tim Owhefere into the arena.

"The people of Isoko North are by this publication enjoined to disregard the Vanguard publication, as Governor Okowa is too experienced a politician to be swayed by falsehood and half-truths concocted by desperate power seekers who are frightened to their bones by the mere mention of the name ‘Tim Owhefere’".