Power rotation remains sacrosanct in Nigeria, according to the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
Omo-Agege, who is also the Deputy Senate President, made this submission as the apex union in Urhoboland — the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) praised his far-reaching projects across Delta Central and other parts of the state.
During a consultation visit to UPU leadership on Tuesday, the APC governorship candidate took Delta State Governor, who is also the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Ifeanyi Okowato the cleaners for putting his political ambition over and above the rotational principle, and therefore, the stability of Nigeria.
He described Okowa as a traitor for accepting to be running mate to the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 general elections.
Omo-Agege said that Okowa was one of the governors who agreed to have power rotated to the South based on the principle of fairness, justice, and equity, pointing out that accepting to be the running mate to a candidate from the North was a stab in the back of the South.
He said: “After eight years of the North, the President comes to the South, the VP to the North. After another eight years, the President goes to the North, the VP to the South. It is established. Though not written in the Constitution but it has become a convention like we have power rotation here among the three senatorial zones.
“Now, after Buhari’s eight years as President, some of us went to him to know his thoughts about where the Presidency would come from. And the President made it very clear that after his eight years, the next President must come from the South.
“It didn’t end there. All the Northern governors of APC extraction agreed that it is the turn of the South. Before this decision was taken, our governors in Southern Nigeria met in Asaba. These are governors of different political parties. Okowa was the host, he gave them food, drinks and they signed an agreement. He read the communique. As he was doing so, he didn’t even allow the ink to dry before he betrayed them”.
Omo-Agege lambasted the Okowa/PDP administration for increasing the debt burden of the state from N80 billion to over N400 billion and counting, with next to nothing to show for it.
He said: “And top of this betrayal, the Okowa-led administration is amassing loans everyday. When Governor (Emmanuel) Uduaghan left office, he left N80 billion in debt obligation and people were shouting . Today, it’s about N400 billion. And if these loans are used for something you can see, nobody will quarrel with that.
“Some people have also said that, ‘you are the Deputy Senate President, Buhari has been taking loans’. Yes, I can tell you what those loans are being used for. Those loans are tied to projects. They are tied to the completion of rail projects, Lagos-Ibadan Express Road, Abuja-Kaduna Road, Second Niger Bridge and so on. Which projects here are these loans tied to? The only project we now know that the loans are tied to is the execution of PDP’s 2023 presidential election, so that Okowa can emerge as VP”.
In his address, UPU President-General, Olorogun (Dr) Moses Taiga spoke glowingly of the APC governorship candidate, stating that “posterity will accord you your rightful place in the history of our dear nation. We admire your eloquence and boldness in presenting issues and bills at the National Assembly.
“You have also helped to strengthen the relationship between the Urhobo nation and her neigbours in Delta State, the South-South, and across the country through your synergic and cordial relationship with groups and personalities.
“We are proud of your role in the past constitutional review exercise, and impressed with your efforts in the Nigerian Electoral Act of 2022, which has brought renewed hope to the country’s electoral process.
“The UPU wishes to particularly thank Your Excellency for powering the Urhobo nation with solar-powered streetlights, installing new transformers, and replacing obsolete ones across Urhoboland. I wish to use this opportunity to plead with you to help the UPU with a transformer, generating plant, and solar-powered streetlights at the Urhobo House, Uvwiamuge, and the Urhobo Cultural Centre, at 18 Okere Road, Warri.
“The UPU also thanks you for empowering Urhobo people, particularly the youths and our worthy professionals with jobs in Federal establishments. We also thank you for intervening and ensuring justice in instances when the rights of an Urhobo man are denied and brought to your notice.
“We are grateful for your renovation and construction of new classroom blocks, including furnishing many secondary and primary schools across Urhoboland.
“Your Excellency, having listened to you, I must say that you are eminently qualified for the Office you seek. You remain the first Urhobo to occupy the exalted office of the Deputy President of the Senate and you have distinguished yourself in that position. As you aspire to be Governor of Delta State, I advise you to go round the nook and crannies of the Urhobo Nation and the entire State, marketing yourself to the people and convincing them to vote for you”.
Some members of the UPU present included first Deputy President-General, Chief (Capt.) Anthony Onoharigho; second Deputy President-General, Chief (Sir) Francis Ifie; National Secretary, Chief Kenneth Iwhewhe; former first Deputy President-General, Chief Osiobe Okotie; National Legal Adviser, Chief Isaacs Itebu; National Treasurer, Chief Abel Opuidi; National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Abel Oshevire; Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Chief (Mrs) Meg Atano; President, UPU Women Wing, Chief (Dame) Christy Siakpere; Assistant National Financial Secretary, Chief Mrs Grace Akpodiete; and second Deputy President, UPU Women Wing, Chief (Mrs) Beatrice Olori.
Others are: third Deputy President, UPU Women Wing, Chief (Mrs) Elizabeth Odjugo; Member, Council of Representatives, UPU, Chief Wilson Ovuoyarevbie; Member, Council of Representatives, UPU, Chief Barack Uzor; and Member, Council of Representatives, Ms Excellence Miller; among others.
Omo-Agege was accompanied by his running mate, Rt. Hon Friday Osanebi; Delta Central APC senatorial candidate, Chief Ede Dafinone; APC leaders, Chief Paulinus Akpeki; and Chief Halims Agoda; members of the state campaign council, Dr Chris Oghenechowen, Olorogun Ima Niboro, Dr Ominimini Obiuwewvi, Mr Chuks Erhire, and Dr Rukevwe Ugwumba, amongs others.
