Delta State governorship candidate of the Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has assured that ongoing developmental programmes and projects embarked upon by the Ifeanyi Okowa administration would not be abandoned if he wins next year’s election.
This is even as Omo-Agege, who is also the Deputy Senate President, said that his services to the state have fully prepared him for the task of leading the state.
During a courtesy call on traditional rulers from Delta North Senatorial District under the aegis of Delta North Traditional Rulers Forum in Asaba on Tuesday, Omo-Agege said the purpose of the visit was to formally notify the monarchs of his intention to run for governorship and also to seek their blessings.
The royal visit, which held at the palace of the Asagba of Asaba, who is also Chairman of Delta North Traditional Rulers Forum, HRH Obi (Prof.) Chike Edozien, was graced by royal fathers from Anioma Nation.
He said: “The various offices I have held have fully equipped me for the task ahead. Because of the various offices I have held at the state level, I am completely aware of all of the challenges that the state faces. And as the Deputy President of the Senate, I also have the exposure and contact at the national level, and I intend to bring to bear in the governance of Delta State if by God’s grace I am elected.
“I want to give an assurance and reassurance that all of the developmental programmes and projects of the current administration will not suffer on account of change of leadership. This is an assurance I want you to take to the bank. Because of two main reasons: one, this is the seat of power. Asaba is the capital of Delta State. It is incumbent on every administration to showcase Asaba as its capital. For that reason, Asaba will receive the developmental attention under my administration if for no other reason, that it is a state capital of Delta State.
“And like I also said, because I am a son of this palace. This is my house and I have every reason to do for Asaba as a state capital what an indigene of Asaba will do for Asaba if he were governor. My own ancestral connection to Delta North also imposes upon me an obligation to see Delta North the way I see Delta Central and Delta South”.
Responding, Obi Edozien noted that Omo-Agege was eminently qualified to run for the office even as he gave him royal blessings.
He lamented that successive governments in the state failed to fully recognise Asaba as the state capital.
He, therefore, called on the lawmaker to correct the anomaly when he becomes governor.
While stressing that Anioma Traditional Rulers had unanimously agreed on power shift to Delta Central, he applauded the lawmaker for impacting the lives of his constituents and beyond.
He also called for more roles for traditional rulers.
He said: “In every respect including the senatorial district where you belong, you are fully qualified for this election. We wish you well.
“The issue of Asaba being capital of Delta State, there had been many issues since the creation of the state. And in many ways, it would seem that the government of Delta State has refused to accept that Asaba is the capital of Delta State. For example, in terms of development of many capitals around the country, they have created capital territories. In the nation’s capital, you have Abuja Capital Territory. Other states have done the same. You have one in Imo State, Owerri Capital Territory. But in Delta State, we created one called Delta State Capital Territory. Asaba is not recognised. I hope when you become governor of the state, you will correct this injustice”.
Omo-Agege was accompanied by his running mate, who is also Deputy Chairman of the APC campaign organisation, Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi; the state party chairman, and Co-Chairman of the campaign organisation, Elder Omeni Sobotie; Director General and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsdey Orubebe; Deputy Director General and Chief of Staff to the DSP, Dr Otive Igbuzor; Director, Communications and Media Strategy, Olorogun Ima Niboro; ex-Chairman, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Dr Ngozi Olejeme; former NDDC director, Tuoyo Omatsuli and other members of the campaign organisation.
