LAGOS JULY 30TH (URHOBOTODAY)-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship aspirant in 2015 general election, Olorogun David Edevbie has declared that he is the most qualified Delta State governorship aspirant in the coming 2015 general election.
Edevbie who made the declaration when he paid a consultative visit to members of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) at Adagbrassa, country home of the UPU’s President General, Chief Patrick Aziza on Sunday, July 29, recalled that he fought for the increase in the derivation fund from one percent to thirteen percent of which states in the Niger Delta Region are now enjoying.
According to him, “What most people do not know is that they were not paying the whole money to us because of the introduction of on-shore, off-shore dichotomy. If I were to become governor of this state that will be the first battle I will fight for them to pay us our money in full.
Edevbie who worked as Commissioner of Finance under Ibori’s administration promised that he would bring sanity to the financial system in Delta State chief among which will be the introduction of 25 percent advance payment for contractors.
Recounting his achievements as Delta State Commissioner of Finance, Edevbie disclosed, “I used my influence as Commissioner of Finance to undertake the construction of the Ughelli township dual carriage road, the Ughelli/Ogor modern market and tarring of every single road in Afiesere.
. “At the Federal level, I convinced late President Yar’Adua to establish the Amnesty programme and to create the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs for which one of us has just been appointed as Minister.
“I have served in the highest office of the land. What pains me is the absence of Urhobo people in key decision making positions in Abuja. That has spurred me to take up the challenge so that if I am governor, I will focus on placing Urhobo people in positions of authority in the country. It will be easy for me to do so because I know the in and out of Abuja. No other aspirant has the same level of knowledge about the Abuja corridors of power as me.
“One of the things my faceless opponents accuse me of is that I was one of those in the cabal that tried to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from assuming office. Well to the best of my knowledge there was no cabal; it was the figment of the imagination of the press at the time. If there was one, .I was not part of it.
“The only thing I ask of you is courage. I want to be your David that will kill your political Goliath. But you must line up behind me. Be prepared for the battle and you will see your David play his part when you play your part. Give me the opportunity and I will not disappoint you.”
His elder brother, Engr. Mathew Edevbie who spoke earlier bemoaned the political travails of the Urhobos in recent times, just as he paid tribute to the interventionist role played so far by the UPU.
Mathew Edevbie who said the purpose of their visit was not to campaign but to introduce a group under the aegis of “Movement for the Restoration of the Pride and Place of the Urhoboman” to the UPU disclosed that the Movement is aim at assisting the efforts of the UPU in their drive for a better living condition for the Urhobo people in the face of its comparatively advantaged neighbours.
Appreciating the bridge-building efforts of the UPU across the ethnic nations in Delta State, Matthew Edevbie affirmed that UPU was moving in the right direction, just as he
warned that it would be a disaster if the Urhobo contested the 2015 governorship election and lost.
He advised that there was need for Urhobos to present its best for the political battle ahead hence the choice of David Edevbie as the best foot forward for the Urhobo people.
He particularly stressed that the venture is however not a do or die affair as the ‘Movement’ is ready to succumb to the decision of the UPU in the choice of who represents Urhobo in the race.
He described David Edevbie as an experienced administrator and the best material for the job, more so as delegations from Isoko, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Ndokwa and Anioma have met him to pledge their support for the choice of David Edevbie.
Consequently, he called on UPU to support Edevbie as the best man for the job.
Responding, the Deputy President General of UPU, Chief Joseph Omene who represented the President General of UPU, General Patrick Aziza (RTD) rated the presentations of the Edevbies as excellent. He gave credit to the speech of Engr. Matthew Edevbie which he described as pan-Urhobo. He said over 75 percent of the present UPU leadership are new and have been rattled by various claims that Urhobo has no credible son to contest the governorship election.
Omene who said he was disappointed that key politicians of Urhobo scion shifted ground to become the Director Generals of campaign organisations for non-Urhobos in the race maintained that it is the dream of Urhobo that Urhobo son emerges as the governor of Delta State in 2015 hence UPU consulted the President General of the 24 clans who shared the same thought.
“We also consulted the 24 kings in Urhobo land and they gave their blessings to our dream with a charge for us to be steadfast on the course. It was on this basis that we invited the politicians of Urhobo to Uvwiamuge where the popular Uvwiamuge Declaration was made. We were aware that there were some spoilers who engage in the governorship race to spoil Urhobo chance but we have resolved that any Urhobo son who desires to contest the governorships race must do so either in PDP or APC.
“Any Urhobo son who is still interested in the race should appear and at the right time we will convene all of you to chart the way forward. I respect Matthew Edevbie’s position that the aspiration is not a do or die affair. But let it be known that anyone of you who works against the interest of Urhobo shall incur the curse of the Urhobo people. At the right time we will do it as it ought to be done. Not all of you will go for primaries. We shall be transparent in our choice of who represents Urhobo,”. Omene said.