By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The appointment of former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, as the South-South Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative has been described as a significant political signal in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s engagement with the Niger Delta.
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, said the move demonstrates the President’s willingness to tap into experienced political actors with deep grassroots reach and credible regional networks.
According to the Speaker, Okowa’s selection is a strategic decision that could help bridge political divides in the South-South, strengthen federal presence in the region and reshape the political balance in a zone long dominated by PDP structures.
Guwor noted that Okowa’s track record of consensus building, stakeholder engagement and political negotiation places him in a strong position to coordinate interventions that require broad political cooperation.
He said the former governor’s integrity, leadership credentials and national appeal may help advance the Renewed Hope Initiative’s goals while enhancing political stability in the oil-rich region.
The Speaker added that the appointment signals renewed federal interest in the Niger Delta, especially at a time when national development, resource-based tensions and regional power dynamics require delicate handling.
Guwor emphasized that the South-South remains a politically influential bloc, and Okowa’s presence in a federal-backed programme could revitalise political dialogue across party lines.
He stressed that Okowa understands the region’s developmental and political complexities, making him well positioned to manage interventions that touch on governance, infrastructure and economic empowerment.
The Speaker expressed confidence that the appointment will deepen collaboration between the Delta State Government, the Renewed Hope Initiative and the Federal Government, ultimately impacting national political harmony.
He described the move as a win for political inclusivity and a sign that the federal government is open to engaging prominent leaders across party divides for broader national development.
The statement, issued by Guwor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Nkem Nwaeke, also highlighted the Assembly’s readiness to support Okowa as he assumes the new role.
Guwor maintained that the appointment is well deserved and reflects both the President’s strategic foresight and Okowa’s capacity to deliver positive political and developmental outcomes.