The Anioma people in Onicha-Ugbo, Issele-Uku and Onicha-Olona in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State have complained that the “prosperity for all” mantra of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration have had no positive impact on their lives, except on the people of Owa Alero, Okowa’s hometown.
According to the campaign organisation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the state, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the people have therefore rejected the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and embraced the APC in the buildup to next year’s general elections.
In a statement, the Director of Communications and Media Strategy for the state’s APC Campaign Council, Olorogun Ima Niboro said the people made a bold statement on Tuesday when the team flagged off its ward-to-ward campaigns in the area.
Omo-Agege, who is also the Deputy Senate President, told over N3.5 trillion had come to the state in the past seven and a half years of the Okowa administration. This, he said, included the recent N250 billion 13 percent derivation backlog released by President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as internally generated revenue. Yet, he said, the governor had gone ahead to borrow over N400 billion.
“All of us right now, even our innocent children and those yet to be born are all debtors, we are liable to the debts incurred by Governor Okowa.
“As if the burden of debts we are going to pay is not enough, Governor Okowa has decided to impose a stooge who he would be able to manipulate, to continue the theft and squander of the state resources.
“We are resolute and have agreed across the three senatorial districts that we will not allow Okowa a third term through his stooge, Sheriff Oborevwori”, Omo-Agege said.
The APC candidate also used the opportunity to clarify earlier remarks where he was quoted as saying he would continue projects of the Okowa administration. “Because they have nothing to show, Okowa and his people have been going round saying that’s an admission that they have some projects. But what I said was, ‘if any’, and I dare say there are none worth talking about“.
He unveiled specifics of his EDGE to BAND Agenda promising to let the people of Anioma nation enjoy life again with him as governor of the state.
Earlier, former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Sir Victor Ochei, speaking on behalf of the people, rejected Okowa, the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Sheriff Oborevwori, and the PDP. Other, who is now Executive Director, Cabotage Services at the Nigerian Administration Control and Safety Agency (NIMASA), described Omo-Agege as reliable, trustworthy and committed to the development of the ppeople.
He said that Omo-Agege as Governor would grant the demands of the people and therefore urged them to vote him as next governor of the state.
He also called for support for Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Tony Nwaka and Bazim Sally Biose, as Delta North senator, House of Representatives member and Aniocha North House of Assembly member respectively.
On behalf of HRM, Agbogidi Obi Victor Chukwumaleze I, the Obi of Onicha Ugbo, Chief Stephen Ugezene, the Onishe of Onicha-Ugbo assured Omo-Agege of his people’s support for his election as governor.
“We have spoken, God be with you, no harm shall befall you. Go and succeed”, he said.
At Issele-Uku, Omo-Agege also led the campaign train to the palace of His Royal Majesty, Agbogidi Obi Nduka, where the Issele-Uku Development Union Chairman, Prince Offor Dilie, by the permission of the monarch, presented the challenges of the community to include potable water, flood and erosion control, good road network and reactivation of the facilities of the business park/skills acquisition centre located in Issele-Uku which was abandoned by the Okowa administration.
In his brief remarks, Obi Nduka told Omo-Agege that he has followed his EDGE agenda with keen interest, and prayed for his success at the polls in 2023.
At Onicha-Olona, Omo-Agege said that while Okowa promised prosperity for all Deltans in 2015, he has brought prosperity to only his native Owa-Alero community.
As in other locations, Omo-Agege asked supporters to vote for all APC candidates across the board, declaring that this is the only way to ensure seamless cooperation between various levels and arms of government in 2023 and beyond.
Earlier, the campaign train landed at the palace of the Obi of Onicha-Olona, HRM Christopher Uzu Diji, who showered praise on Omo-Agege for building a befitting palace for him, which the candidate said he would commission on his next visit when he becomes governor.
“May God bless you, you have already won the election”, the monarch said.
