- *Says Enough Is Enough of Okowa’s Marginalization of Deltans
- *PDP, park your load, leave Delta State – Giadom tells PDP
- *Omo-Agege here to liberate Deltans – O’tega Emerhor
- *Delta North Agrees Next governor from Delta Central – Nwaoboshi
- *Ijaws Agree to wait for their turn in 2031 – High Chief Johnny
The Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly and Deputy President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has received unprecedented massive support across the three Senatorial Zones in Delta State to run for the office of governor of Delta State.
This came as DSP Omo-Agege, the Obarisi of Urhobo land formally declared his intention to contest for the governorship seat of Delta State in 2023 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC on Thursday.
Omo-Agege who formally declared his interest in the governorship race of the State at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun Thursday April 14, noted that Deltans have been subjected to the draconian and exploitative rule of the PDP for more than two decades, adding that enough is enough for the continuation of such marginalization of Deltans by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Announcing his readiness and capability to rescue Delta State from the present political predicament and oppression, by the PDP government in the State, Omo-Agege reeled out his major achievements as Senator representing Delta Central in the past seven years, declaring that he has fulfilled all the promises which he made to his people when he was soliciting for their mandates. According to him, the entire Delta Central has benefited from his effective representation including the physical development which he has attracted to the people.
The Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District assured that if voted as a governor of the State in 2023, he would extend to every part of the State, the benefits the dividends of democracy that the PDP government and the present governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, have continued to deny the good people of the State.
He said: “In 2019, I came back to you again asking for your mandate and that if you send me back to the Senate, I will do a lot of things. I’m here to report to you today that all the promises that I made to you in 2015 and all the promises I made to you in 2019, I have fulfilled all of them.
“Today, because of your mandate, every village in Urhobo land, every community in Urhobo land, and every street in Urhobo land – all have solar-powered street lights. Today, because of the mandate you gave to me, almost every community, every village in Urhobo land are being powered by an additional electricity transformer.
“Today, because of the mandate you gave to me, almost every community in Delta Central, you have your primary schools, your secondary schools renovated. Today, because of the mandate you gave to me, almost every community in Delta Central, you have additional health centres.
“Because of the mandate, you gave to me and because of your support for President Muhammadu Buhari, today, we have a brand new Federal Polytechnic in Delta Central. In addition to the Federal Polytechnic Mr. President has given to us, because of the mandate you gave to me, we also have the Defence Space School, also in Delta Central.
“As if that is not enough, as we speak here today, because of the support of Mr. President, the support of the Senate President, and the support of all my colleagues, most especially Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, we have a campus of the Nigerian Law School, meant for the entire South-South zone, also coming to Delta State.
“Also, very soon you are going to hear that a new Federal University of Agriculture is going to be established in Aboh, Ndokwa East Local Government Area in Delta North. If you hear that announcement, know that it is the two of us (Senator Omo-Agege and Senator Peter Nwaoboshi) that did it”
Speaking further, Omo-Agege stated that although he has done a lot for Delta Central which he referred to as his comfort zone, he was prepared to extend such benefits to other parts of the State, adding that what is good for the goose is good for the gander.
According to him, the current government in Asaba will continue in its marginalization if it is allowed to remain in power, adding that he (Omo-Agege) was on a rescue mission to liberate the good people of Delta State.
“These are some of the things I have done for the people of Delta Central. But a time comes in your life when you have to move away from your comfort zone. Delta Central is my comfort zone. If I have to come to them for re-election, I’m confident they will return me over and over again. But today, I have decided to step out of my comfort zone and move to bring the same benefits to the whole of Delta State.
“The opportunity I have to bring these benefits to Delta Central, I also want such an opportunity to bring the same benefits to the people of Delta North and the people of Delta South because what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.
“If we don’t do that and we fold our hands to allow Okowa and co to continue, he will continue to marginalize us. If you go to Delta North today, the Ndokwa nation which is made up of Ukwuani, Ndokwa West and Ndokwa East, contributes so much to the economy of this country. All the 13% derivation money that Delta State receives monthly is a function of the contribution of the Ndokwa nation. But if you go to the Ndokwa nation today, there is nothing on ground to show for it. Okowa has continued to marginalize the people of Ndokwa nation.
“If you go to Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Oshimili North, and Oshimili South, it was on the back of these four Local Government Areas that Okowa rode to Government House as Anioma governor. But today, if you go to these four Local Government Areas, you will not feel the presence of Okowa’s government. Is that fair?
“The time has come when you have to take your own destiny in your own hand and say, enough is enough.
If you go today to Delta South, the Isoko people contribute just like the Ndokwa people. They contribute so much to the economy of this State and of this country. But if you go there, there is nothing to show for it. All you have there is a State Polytechnic that he (Okowa) recently upgraded to a University on paper only. It is a glorified Secondary school. Is that fair? Enough is enough.
“If you go to the Ijaw nation made up of Burutu, Bomadi, Patani, Warri southwest, these are the people that contribute a good chunk of the wealth of this nation. But there is nothing to show for it. And Okowa has his deputy governor from there. But if you go there, you cannot tell if there is any difference between 2015 and 2022. Is that fair? It is time to stand by our brothers and sisters in the Ijaw nation to say enough is enough.
“Today, our youths, some of you have left the University eight, nine, ten years ago, but you have no jobs. Okowa wants you people to ride Okada; he wants you people to ride Keke. Meanwhile, those who are close to him ride on the best cars that scientists have made. Is that fair? Enough is enough.
“Our parents who gave the best part of their lives in the service of this State, some of them have retired eight, nine, ten years ago, but they have not been paid their retirement benefits. Enough is enough.
“Therefore, today, the 14th day of April 2022, I, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the Obarisi of Urhobo land, offer myself as a candidate for the office of the governor of Delta State in 2023.”
The New Diplomat reports that the declaration was hugely attended by dignitaries across the country, including State governors, APC national leaders, and stakeholders of the party from across Delta State and from the South-South geo-political zone.
They include the Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello who was represented by Dr. Edward Onoja, Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma who was represented by his deputy, Placid Njoku, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC led by the South-South Chairman of the party, Victor Giadom, State chairman of the APC, Elder Omeni Sobotie, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Senator Eremienyo, founding father of the APC in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, BoT member, Chief Frank Kokori, High Chief Michael Johnny, Hon. Halims Agoda, former PDP chieftain from Aniocha South, Tony Nwaka (now APC chieftain) are amongst several chieftains of the APC across the country.
Following are the highlights of remarks of some dignitaries who spoke at the occasion:
Hon. Victor Giadom, South-South APC Chairman and representative of Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation – We are here this afternoon to show solidarity to the APC in Delta State. This place is ripe to be taken by the All Progressives Congress. We, therefore, use this opportunity to issue a quit notice to the PDP in Delta State. PDP, please, pack your load and go. Our party, the All Progressives Congress, APC has come to Delta State this afternoon to issue a final departure warning to PDP. Our party will capture this State.”
Senator Eremienyo from Bayelsa – Delta State is a great State and we need great men to lead this State. Senator Omo-Agege is a great man. He has proven that he is a great man. He has made his mark at the National level. When he becomes the governor by the grace of God, he will take Delta State to another level. The people of Bayelsa will stand with you because you are our closest neighbor. The people of the Ijaw nation will stand with you because we want the best to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people. Omo-Agege is the answer.
Gov. Yahaya Bello represented by Dr. Edward Onoja – APC wants to take over Delta State. And to take over Delta State, you need the best warriors. Omo-Agege is the best warrior. When he entered Senate, he did not just sit down in one place as an ordinary Senator. He brought back the number two position, Deputy President of the Senate. In 2015, Deltans brought an ordinary Senator to become governor. In 2023, Deltans will make a Deputy President of the Senate the governor of the State. Omo-Agege is not an ordinary name in Nigeria. Yahaya Bello said I should deliver the message to Deltans that in 2023, they must vote for Ovie Omo-Agege.
Gov. Uzodinma of Imo State represented by his Deputy Gov. Hon. Placid Njoku – Senator Uzodinma and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege are very close friends. He knows the qualities of Omo-Agege. I can see here the large number of people that have come out here for only his declaration. On the day of his election, I know this number will be multiplied by ten. I want to congratulate all of you for believing in Omo-Agege. I foresee that Delta State has a new governor and his name is Ovie Omo-Agege.
APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel – We are here in Delta State and we are asking you that by the grace of God, in the coming election, the only party you should vote for from top to bottom is APC. We members of the NWC of the party are here to support our own, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the governorship candidate by the grace of the almighty God.
Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, founding father of APC in Delta State – Since 1999, Delta State has been suffering. Some of us came in in 2013 to try to rescue this State. Now, we have a liberator who has come. Delta State is ready for the rescue. Omo-Agege is going to be the rescuer. He will be our next governor.
Senator Peter Nwaoboshi – I want to say today, that I as the Senator representing Delta Senatorial District of Delta State, we in Delta North including our traditional rulers, have agreed that the next governor must come from Delta Central. And I want to assure you that we are going to support Senator Ovie Omo-Agege with our votes. It is not time to talk, but when the time comes, we shall know that animal that owns the bush.
High Chief Michael Johnny, APC leader from Delta South – The message from the Ijaw nation is that the man who will take over Delta State as governor in 2023 is here with us. I’m here to let you that the Ijaws have unanimously agreed to wait for 2031. By 2031, the Ijaws will take over the governorship of the State from Senator Ovie Omo-Agege. The person that will bring benefit to all Deltan youths is Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
Hon. Halims Agoda, APC leader from Delta Central – I have no words to express myself this afternoon. And I have no doubt that the Most Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege will be our next governor. He is courageous, he is a winner, he is focused, and he is educated. In the election, he will win. If you take him to court, he will win.
Hon. Doris Uboh, APC leader from Delta North – Before now, some were saying that APC is not in Delta State. But what we are seeing today shows that APC is fully on the ground in Delta State. Omo-Agege will give our youths employment; he will give our women skill acquisition; he will give us free education. He has done it before and he will do it again.
