LAGOS JULY 10TH (URHOBOTODAY)-Contrary to insinuations in some quarters that he is at loggerheads with Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, former Secretary to the State Government, Delta State, Obarisi (Barr.) Ovie Omo-Agege, weekend, said he enjoys a very robust relationship with the governor.
“I have bad news for those who believe that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan can never handover to me because I am not in good terms with our amiable governor. It is true that we had political differences in the past but we reconciled in 2011 and since then I enjoy a very robust relationship with him to build our party and state,” he said.
Omo-Agege spoke at Olomoro and Emede, Isoko South Local Government during his visits to renowned scholar, Dr. Idodo Umeh and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Tom Egbuwoku, in furtherance of his consultation with stakeholders on his governorship quest.

He noted that his governorship aspiration was something he had thought carefully about since 2006, maintaining that “this is the time I believe that my candidacy will be embraced by all Deltans.”
Saying that he was not coming into the governorship race as a neophyte, he stated that he was adequately equipped with the requisite experience to give qualitative governance to the people of the state, having served as Executive Assistant to former Governor James Ibori, Commissioner for Special Duties, Government House and Secretary to the State Government.
“There will be no learning curve for me. I will hit the ground running immediately I am given the mandate to govern the state because I know how government works,” he said,
Commending Governor Uduaghan, Omo-Agege declared that the governor “has rendered noble service to Deltans and has excelled in his three point agenda. But by May 29, 2015, Uduaghan would handover the baton to another person and I want to be the recipient of that baton. That is why I have embarked on this statewide consultation with stakeholders in our state.”
Lamenting the high rate of unemployment in Nigeria which he described as the greatest security risk we face as a people, Omo-Agege reiterated his determination to view all policies against the backdrop of job creation. “We will not hesitate to jettison any policy, no matter how laudable, if its job creation potential is minimal.”
Speaking further, Omo-Agege said he was prepared to build on the achievements of Dr. Uduaghan, assuring that he would complete all on-going projects in the State. “No project will be abandoned under my watch as governor” he added.
He said his administration would provide affordable housing for the people of the state, and encourage commercial farming to boost job creation. “Aside the generic plans for the entire State, we will use a bottom-top approach to determine the projects that would be executed in the various communities across the state with inputs from the people in the budgeting process.
Responding, Dr. Idodo Umen applauded Omo-Agege’s resolve to make job creation for the teeming unemployed youths a top priority, saying “I know you will be a governor who will take care of everybody.”
He lamented the scale of environmental degradation and its attendant health hazard in the state and urged the governorship hopeful to make environmental safety a must in his administration when elected.
On his part, Chief Tom Egbuwoku held that Omo-Agege is a patient politician, saying “after your experience in 2007 and 2011 it is worthy to note that you can still muster the courage to join the 2015 governorship race.”
Describing Omo-Agege as a man of proven integrity and competence, he noted that the governorship hopeful contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Delta State during the Ibori administration.
He called on all Deltans to rally round and support Omo-Agege’s candidacy on account of the positive impact he had made on their lives, expressing optimism that he has the capacity to deliver on his electoral promises.