From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Deputy Senate President and All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Delta State Ovie Omo-Agege on Thursday in Asaba unveiled his plans to transform the state if elected in next year’s election.
Addressing a press conference, Omo-Agege said his plans for the state were contained in a 60-page manifesto anchored on the EDGE to Build a New Delta (BAND).
He said the EDGE covered critical areas of governance that would drive his administration’s agenda if elected in 2023.
“The manifesto is our vision and mission; it captures our EDGE Agenda which breaks down as E for Employment and Empowerment; D for Development (Economic, Infrastructural and Industrial); G for Good Governance, and E for Enduring Peace and Security,” he stated.
The Deputy Senate President described himself as the “bearer of the hopes and aspirations of all Deltans,” adding that he was in the governorship race because of his dissatisfaction “with the state of affairs in Delta State.”
“My aspiration is beyond the ordinary quest for power, rather, it is a movement to liberate, rebuild and reinvigorate our dear state, which ought to be the leading light of the Niger Delta region, and indeed, Nigeria.
“I am certainly concerned that our dear State has been left behind on key development indices despite the huge sums of money that flow into the state from the federation account and 13 per cent derivation along with internally generated revenue by way of the various taxes and rates that our hard-working people pay,” he added.
Taking a swipe at the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-led state government, Omo-Agege accused Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of plunging Delta into debt, making it the second most indebted state in Nigeria, adding that the state government since 2015 has received revenues in excess of N2.8 trillion.
Omo-Agege called on Deltans to reject the candidate of the PDP, Sheriff Oborevwori, describing as a stooge who will continue to do Okowa’s bidding even if elected governor.
“Our main opponent would represent a third term for a failed governor who ran out of ideas to develop the state. We call on all Deltans and men of goodwill to reject this imposition by Governor Okowa. Delta State belongs to all Deltans, and we must all join hands to take it back,” he stated.
The APC candidate also accused Okowa of diverting state resources into the pursuit of his vice presidential project on the platform of the PDP.
“Never in history have we faced such difficult times in our state. Beyond politics and political party affiliation, we all know that with the enormous resources and competence of Deltans all over the world, our state is not where it ought to be.
“Under the PDP, and especially in the last seven years, the problems of Delta State have been squarely rooted in bad leadership, misplaced priorities, pervasive incompetence, and even corruption.
“The offer of PDP in the 2023 gubernatorial elections in the person of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori is a bad one for Delta State because it exemplifies incompetence, bad judgement and everything that went wrong in the past seven years,” Omo-Agege insisted.
He highlighted what the EDGE agenda entailed, saying that the plan summed up “our people’s hopes and aspirations for economic stability, sustainable employment, security, access to modern public infrastructure, solid institutions, and a clean environment.
“It is strategically organised to make ours a model state and a leading centre of excellence. With EDGE, we bring credibility, efficiency and trust back to governance.
“It is the ultimate paradigm shift to reform our public service, cut the cost of governance, eliminate waste, and deny corruption and other crimes comfort and safety in our governance architecture. EDGE agenda is our firm promise and its success is non-negotiable.”