By Francis Sadhere
A chieftain of the Delta State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), Surveyor Peter Akarogbe on Friday condoled with the family of the late Chieftain of APC, Senator Francis Spanner Okpozo who passed away on December 26, 2016.
Akarogbe who was in Benin City, Edo State to receive Prof. Pat Utomi who met with APC leaders and stakeholders from Delta South senatorial district at the home of Dr. Patrick Ideh, described the late Senator Okpozo as a leader, father and a goal getter.
The Delta South APC chieftain was at the home of the late Senator Okpozo after the meeting with Prof Utomi. He met with the wife and children of late Senator Okpozo, and expressed his condolences with his family and prayed that God should give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
In an eexclusive interview with our correspondent Survey Akarogbe said, “Papa Senator Francis Spanner Okpozo is one man I will live to respect for a cause he championed till his death. One thing about a man is his steadfastness and being truthful to his people. Most of us decided to follow his step in politics because we knew that he was doing what is right. He is a leader, a father and a goal getter.
“He believed in what is right and he wants to achieve it. He was not playing politics because of money but he was playing politics because of what will benefit his people. That is why most of the things he brought to Delta state, and Isoko in particular were possible with God being on his side. He single handedly brought the Ozoro Polytechnic to Isoko where a lot of people have benefited from because we all know that education is the key to success.
“Sincerely I will miss him. When I heard of the news when I was in US, if it were possible for me to come immediately I would have done it, but the only thing I hold was to thank God for the life he led and pray to God to give us the fortitude to bear the loss and to continue the good cause he was fighting.”
Commenting on the crisis hitting the Delta APC, Akarogbe who is also the President General of Oyede Impovement Union, said the crisis will soon be a thing of the past as a lot of persons have started the process of bring back all those perceived to be aggrieved.
He however added that for the party to be among the biggest parties in the state, the members have to come together as one and think of ways to kick out the present ruling party, who according to him, have continued to enslave Deltans.
He said, “The crisis going on in Delta state APC is something, as far as I am concerned, will be a thing of the past because I think Papa’s death is going to be a force of unity all those who felt might be aggrieved. But the truth must be told that if we do the right thing, God will do the rest for you.”
Akarogbe pointed out that he does not believe that the crisis in the party is instigated by the opposition party in the state, adding that he believed that the part will get it right and that at the end of the day the justice will prevail.
“I do not want to believe that the crisis in Delta APC is being sponsored by opposition party, but I equally believe that we can get it right if we want to get it right because the law must take its cause and those who are fighting a just fight will be victorious. I just believe that the crisis in Delta State will come to an end with the peace move people are getting here and there,” Akarogbe said.
Akarogbe called on members of the party in the State to be steadfast and continue to support the party as they work to take over the reins of power from the ruling PDP.
He said, “My message to APC supporters in Delta State is for them to be steadfast and courageous. They should not wave and they should be careful in their utterances in antagonizing people, but let there be constructive criticism. I wish APC in Delta State long life and an opportunity to take over the state come 2019.”
