November 15, 2014
By Festus Ahon
OBAISI Ovie Omo-Agege is one of the
strong contenders for the Delta State Governorship in 2015. The United States
of America trained lawyer is very resolute in his aspiration to govern the
State.
Omo-Agege who insists that his
passion to govern is not because he is an urhobo man, said his agenda is
pan-Delta with all stakeholders being carried along in his government, when
elected.
In this interview, he spoke on his
readiness to clinch the Governorship in 2015 among other issues of interest.
How prepared are you to clinch the
Delta state governorship in 2015?
I have stated previously that I am
in this race to win and considering the fact that the will to win is worthless
without the will to prepare, I can tell you without hesitation that I am
prepared. I strongly believe that the best preparation for success is to be
more strategic and that is what I have been doing all through this campaign.
I realized very early in the race
that a winning strategy that is based on issues and the realities on ground is
essential for a successful campaign. My team understood that whoever will
emerge as the flag bearer of the PDP must be one who can demonstrate to the
party that he can easily win the governorship for the party and help President
Goodluck Jonathan do better than what he achieved in 2011 in the state.
This understanding defined our
message which has resonated with the leadership; and rank and file of the
party. This message will see us through at the primaries because at the end of
the day, it is the interest of the party, not the interest of a few that will
prevail.
The urhobos are resolute in their
resolve to produce the next governor of the state in 2015. Can you win it for
the urhobos should they give you their total support?
First, let me state that this
election is not a contest between Urhobo and others, neither is it a contest of
Urhobos versus the Aniomas or Urhobo versus Itsekiri or Ijaw or Isoko. Second,
I am not running because I am an Urhobo man. Third, my support base cuts across
ethnic and senatorial divide. So the question of winning it for the Urhobos does
not arise.
But don’t you think the urhobos are
desperate in their quest for the governorship?
I don’t see it that way at all. The
Urhobos have a legitimate case and they are making it in a way that is
democratically acceptable. First, contrary to zoning based agitations, the
Urhobos are not advocating for the exclusion of others from the race. Rather,
we are the ones saying we should not be shut out of the contest since everyone
contested all previous gubernatorial elections in the state.
Second, the Urhobos are saying that
in the past four years we have not been fairly treated in terms of federal
appointments and projects despite our contribution to the national and state
economy; and the electoral support to the PDP in 2011.
Third, the Urhobos are asking for a
level playing field for everyone to contest for the ticket of the party which
is good for our democracy. I don’t think there is any rational basis to fault
the quest of Urhobo people for the governorship in 2015.
So what is it that is propelling you
to want to govern the state?
I am in the race because I strongly
believe that I can add more value to governance in Delta state at this
particular time in our history than anyone else. Governor Uduaghan has done
well on his three point agenda of Peace and Security, Human Capital Development
and Development of infrastructure.
But a lot still needs to be done to
actualise the Delta of our dream. So we need someone who can build on the
achievements of Governor Uduaghan’s administration as well as make good the
shortcomings to achieve greater value for our people.
Those who have been heavily involved
in the present government cannot be trusted to bring about the necessary
changes.
This is key to the choice we make in
this election. We need a new spirit of self-assurance, hope and optimism that a
new PDP government in the state can do better. We need to grow our party by
bringing in new people into the mainstream of the party.
My candidacy will grow and
strengthen the party. I can unify the party and bring everybody on board for
the challenge of winning the general election.
We urgently need a revitalised
economy that is diversified and less dependent on oil. While the Delta Beyond
Initiative of Governor Uduaghan provides the guide for future policy actions on
the economy, there is need for new vigour.
I have spoken severally on the
urgent need to transform our agricultural, tourism, manufacturing sectors and
the entertainment industry. I will give these sectors top priority in resource
allocation in order to achieve a strong and stable economy in the next four
years.
We need a new security arrangement
to secure our society and provide the enabling environment for the growth of
the private sector especially the small and medium scale enterprises.
My administration will be tough on
crime and the causes of crime by setting up Community Security Marshals in
every community of Delta state to provide intelligence to the security agencies
and create jobs for our teeming youth population. Because I believe that
unemployment is the greatest security risk will face today, I will focus on the
creation of jobs like a laser beam.
As part of a broader effort to
stabilise our economy, strengthen, secure and modernise our society and further
democratise our political system, we need to restore people’s faith in
governance by running a more open, accountable and ethical government; and
strengthen institutions of government such as the civil service and local
government administration. These are some of the areas we will be different.
What is your reaction to the rumour
that a governorship aspirant is being imposed on Deltans by the State
Government?
The present day political realities
in Delta state and Nigeria as a whole do not favour imposition of any sort.
Indeed the era of imposition is over
and any party that allows its flag bearer to be imposed by any one, will pay a
heavy price for it at the general election. The primary process is supposed to
choose popular candidates that can win and not candidates that serve the
special interest of their benefactors.
Okay so what is your position on
zoning of the state governorship in Delta state?
I have been very clear on this
issue. There has never been zoning of the governorship position in Delta state
and there can’t be one now because introducing it now will amount to changing
the rules of the game midway which is unfair and unacceptable.
Those advocating for zoning should
realize that due to the more competitive political environment we have today,
zoning is not a winning strategy in the absence of an acceptable zoning
formula. The mood of the people do not favour zoning and any attempt to impose
it on the electorate will surely backfire.
The people want jobs, security,
better schools, better hospitals, better roads, regular power supply,
affordable health and educational services and housing. They don’t care about
where the provider of these services come from.
A close look at the changed
political landscape, demography, geography and the road ahead for the 2015,
it’s clear that the interest of the president should guide our actions
especially in deciding who should be the gubernatorial candidate of the party.
I think if we accept and implement
this principle, Delta PDP will come out of the election stronger than we are now.
- See more at:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/delta-2015-govt-will-tough-crime-omo-agege/#sthash.aOE3qDta.dpuf
No comments:
Post a Comment