Towards a new Delta State Since the entrance of Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege into the race to Government House in May this year, political calculations have been altered and a new energy brought into Urhobo quest to return to Dennis Osadebey House in 2015. Until he declared his intention to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, very few gave Delta Central any chance in the race for the gubernatorial ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But that has changed and it is looking very likely that Omo-Agege, whom the Urhobo have overlooked in the past in favour of another of their sons in the opposition, may well be the one who gets them out of their present political wilderness. Omo-Agege is not a new name in this business. In 2006, he contested the PDP primaries at Ogwashi-uku and came second behind Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. The experience of that painful loss has prepared him for the challenge of today. Iconic in political philosophical disposition, the man has invested his raw energy and deployed his wealth of experience and contacts in the race, moving about like the political tactician he truly is. He exudes so much confidence, speaking the language of hope and ever optimistic of a brighter tomorrow. Omo-Agege needs no introduction. He is well known and popular across the length and breadth of Delta State. As Executive Assistant to the Governor, Commissioner for Special Duties, Government House and Secretary to the Delta State Government within a period of four years, Omo-Agege has acquitted himself as a man on the highway to the top. But in 2006 and 2011, he did not get the required adequate support from his people to get to the very top of Delta politics. Today however, he is generally seen as the hope of the Urhobo to reclaim glory after eight years in the political wilderness. Contrary to what many thought of him, the Urhobo have now come to realize that he is indeed a true patriot who gave his all to the common cause of the people. He has proved himself overtime that he meant well for the people. He has a true vision of a blessed future but could not adequately market that dream on the popular highway of favourable public opinion. That is now in the past as he has now succeeded in winning the confidence of those who doubted him. The Urhobo nation is now ready for Ovie Omo-Agege. Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege’s strength of character and purposive drive towards his dream to be governor of Delta State defies the language of impossibility. He is in the race with a message of hope, maintaining without mincing words that the Delta State of our dream is possible. A new Delta defined not by our differences, but by our common hopes and aspirations. To Omo-Agege, we can build a world defined not by conflict, but by peace and justice and opportunity. His commitment, doggedness and patriotic zeal to make an impact in the rugged political terrain is not in doubt. He believes we are the master of our fate, the captain of our journey through life with God Almighty leading the way. His message to Deltans is that we can change our lives and make Delta State work better for us all. Omo-Agege’s understanding of our economic and social problems and his knowledge of how governance can tackle these problems is profound. No question takes the Obarisi of Urhobo by surprise any time he meets with the media, which he considers a veritable ally. Those who were privileged to have worked with Omo-Agege know him as a diligent professional, a public-spirited and forthright public officer, and as a person of great convictions. He is a consummate and passionate public personality with extra-ordinary and boundless flare for service in the interest of the common man. In the hallowed temple of power game: smoke-filled; dark and dank; cloak-and-dagger; thick with conspiracies; where patronage is distributed and punishment mercilessly administered, novices suffocate. Yet Omo-Agege has carried on with a great sense of decorum and responsibility as indeed a genuine dinosaur. He maintains a high stake in the dark, smoke-filled inner recesses of the cloak-and-dagger world of politics, where he wields effective powers of influence and control. As a devout Catholic, Omo-Agege’s life of simplicity, sincerity of purpose, robust giving spirit, religious commitment to human capital development, willingness to assist the poor and needy and readiness to serve humanity is a true reflection of Christianity. This is vital to understanding how he will govern when he becomes the Governor of Delta State. Over thirty persons have indicated interest in the PDP governorship ticket but very few are considered as serious contenders. Of those in the race from Delta Central, only Omo-Agege could be counted as truly viable judging by the intensity and consistency of consultation and acceptability among the major stakeholders of the party at state and national levels. The others have either fizzled out as mere spectators or mere ice blocks that melt under the scorching sun or are simply scared of the uncertainty in the emerging fight. Notwithstanding the antics of detractors, Urhobo appreciates the courage of Omo-Agege as a dogged fighter and an irrepressible goal getter. He knows his way through the rugged jungle of Nigerian politics. He is therefore, in my considered opinion, having examined the political weight of the other aspirants, the best material the Urhobo nation could promote into the PDP primaries for the needed change and hope of a new Delta State in line with the UPU Uvwiamuge Declaration. Omo-Agege is the only Urhobo man feared by other aspirants from both Delta North and South because they know that he is the only one in Delta Central who has what it takes to win the 2015 PDP gubernatorial ticket. In the words of Chinua Achebe, there may be many stars in the firmament, but some shine brighter than others. Omo-Agege is certainly the brightest star Urhobo can give to Delta State in the coming election. The kind of politics we play in this part of the world requires a blend of gentlemanly conduct and a good dose of radicalism. Omo-Agege is a gentleman by professional attainment, but he too, also carries the political fire power in the appropriate dosage, for the politics of this state. Sending Omo-Agege into the battle front is therefore the best choice because, he has the natural propensity to grab the bull by the horn for the needed victory for the common man. It is for these reasons and many more that space and time would not allow one to write that I doff my hat to an iconic leader of leaders, a political generalissimo and ever smiling, ever loving and ever hard working political Iroko who is divinely ordained to succeed Dr. Uduaghan in order to build on the legacies of the present administration. This is my little way of saying, ride on, man of the people. Fight this good fight of faith for the Urhobo and all men of goodwill across Delta State. It shall be well! • Iyasere is the Political Editor of the Urhobo Voice newspaper. ngrguardiannews/news/national-news/182383-towards-a-new-delta-state
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 09:15:35 +0000
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