The state Chairman, Kingsley Esiso, sworn in Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as chairman of the council, but he skipped the position of the Director General (DG), which was omitted from the list.

The Guardian learnt that Ibori had settled for DG for his preferred candidate, David Edevbie, who lost out at the Supreme Court, but Okowa refused to cave in, saying DG is the most powerful position that must be occupied by his loyalist.

Following the disagreement between the two, Ibori “boys” reportedly boycotted the inauguration, paving the way for Okowa’s camp to assume key positions in the campaign council.

Speaking at the inauguration, yesterday, Okowa urged the team to concentrate on units and wards, saying: “Our campaign will go through 270 wards; that’s where our votes will come from. My politics is based on issues and I don’t insult people in the course of my politicking.”

He appealed to candidates to embrace themselves and work towards winning elections.

“Those that said I have not done anything in Delta State are locked up in Abuja, they may be from Delta but locked themselves up in Abuja, they are blind to the reality on ground.”

He urged political appointees to go back to their various units and wards, saying they need to work harder now that PDP has its Vice Presidential candidate in Delta State.

Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly and the State PDP standard bearer, Sheriff Oborevwori, thanked Okowa for believing in him.

Oborevwori said the party has come out stronger and united, pledging to uphold the Okowa legacy.

Inaugurating the council, the state Chairman of the party, Mr. Kingsley Esiso, said the council would start a campaign to produce a new governor in the state.