AMb. Chukwuma Oyibode, 46, a real estate consultant and businessman wants to govern Delta State in 2015 on the plank of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Born into the family of late (Engr.) Samson Ogwu of Ezionu Kingdom in Ukwuani Local Government Area and Madam Juliana Emonefe of Urhuokpe in Kokori town of Ethiope East Local Government Area both of Delta State, Oyibode, in this interview speaks on why he is running and the value he would add if elected. By Innocent Anaba At what point did you make up your mind to go for the governorship of Delta State? Though I have always had the interest and zeal to serve my people since 30 years ago when I was still very young, my political interest started with the advent of the PDP in Nigeria and in Delta State in 1998-1999. Since then I have been active and supporting politicians for political offices such as our late president, Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan and politicians back home in Delta State. I have come out because of the divine call from God Almighty to serve my people and my zeal to reach out and impact positively in the life of my people at the grassroots. You have not held any political office, what gives the confidence that you will get the PDP ticket and eventually the seat given the deep-seated power tussle in the state among the ethnic nationalities? There is overwhelming support both from my people here in Delta State and at the national level. Everywhere I go, my people see me as a restorer of hope to them. I am a grassroots man, born and bred here, my parents are both from Delta State. I have a wide spread support across the three ethnic nationalities in Delta State. So I am recognized and very acceptable to all in Delta State and beyond. I enjoy a great support from my people at the grassroots and also from the hierarchy of the leadership of our great party, the PDP in Delta State and the national level. They see hope in me and they believe I will deliver because of my legacy. If by chance you are given the mandate to lead, what will be your focus? My emphasis is on critical infrastructure. Right from 1999, from the government of Chief James Ibori, he did his very best in his tenure. Today we have our amiable Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who is still on board and has been trying to improve the infrastructure. Infrastructure is the critical area of our need in this state. Like we have a lot of roads which are undergoing dualization and renewal, I am going to take that up from where Uduaghan will stop. There must not be any unfinished project because it is useful to us and our economic development and revolution in Delta State. Secondly, I will concentrate on industrialization to create employment in Delta State. Also, I will concentrate on power and energy. Without power, there will be no meaningful and sustainable development. As a consultant in the power sector back in Abuja, I will make sure that the power sector in Delta State is addressed and taken to every nook and cranny of Delta State. We have a paramount issue in the transformation agenda. I have my own plans and programme for the women and youths. Even though they have been marginalized over the years, we will take steps to address those complains. For the youths I have a quota for them, 30 per cent of my administration: the work force, and the executive members of my administration will be the youths. For the women, another 30 per cent will be allocated to women to engage them. We will gradually get to gender equality. Then, 40 per cent will be for the elders. Everybody will be carried along. What are your suggestions to end the impunity of corrupt officers and the adverse effects on insecurity, joblessness and hunger? I do not see any single person that can eradicate corruption completely. There is corruption even in developed countries like the America, Asian among others. But I strongly believe that government can exercise the will to fight it and reduce it to the barest minimum. There shall be no compromises Insecurity comes when there is joblessness and starvation. A hungry man is an angry man. There is the tendency for an angry and hungry man to go into crime. So in my own time, I will make sure that we create cottage industries to make the people especially the youths to be relevant in the society. With these, we can reduce insecurity to the barest minimum if not totally eradicated. The issue of insecurity and crime will be addressed once there is good governance. People will be sure of their tomorrow, have confidence in their government and be responsible citizens.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 20:28:18 +0000
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