By Ijeoma Uba.
LAGOS AUGUST 4TH (URHOBOTODAY)-The 2015 general elections scheduled to hold in the month of February has been raising a lot of concerns. These issues include zoning and power rotation; and the eligibility of President Goodluck Jonathan to seek re-election which has been reason for some litigation.
Delta State takes a prominent position in these agitations not just as a State in the Country but as an oil-rich State where the competition for the governorship position is intense among the three senatorial districts in the state.
There are several submissions on where the governorship should go. The Aniomas from Delta North are of the opinion that the position has been zoned to them according to the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) policy of power rotation. The authenticity of this assertion in form of a document is yet to be confirmed, neither is there any evidence of any gathering where such arrangement was agreed by all the relevant stakeholders in the state. Hence aspirants from both Delta Central and South have joined the race to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
The nature of the state as a multi-ethnic one is not making things easier. The core Deltans comprising the Urhobos, the Ijaws, the Isokos and the Itsekiris feel that the state capital was wrongly ceded to Asaba and should be compensated with the governorship seat permanently. The Urhobos from Delta Central are also crying about marginalization due to their obvious under representation in terms of appointments at the federal level. The Urhobos have only two federal appointments in the just appointed Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru and Chief Tom Amioku who is a commissioner in NDDC. On the other hand, Delta North has about twelve federal appointments including Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who is the Coordinating Minister for the Economic and Minister of Finance; the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele; Nigeria Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Joy Ogwu; Special Adviser to the President on Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Professor Sylvester Monye; Chairman of the board of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund and member of SURE-P sub-committee on public works and Road Rehabilitation, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme; Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigeria Communication Commission, Dr. Eugene Juwah; Chairman, Export Processing Zone, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh; Director General, Oil Spills Detection and Response Agency, Mr. Peter Idiabor; Director General of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Professor Epiphany Azinge; Managing Director of Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Engineer Gabriel Amuchi; Special Adviser to the President on Inter Governmental Relations, Mrs. Mariam Alli and Dr. Esther Uduehi who is the Chairman of the board of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non Formal Education.
Delta South is largely populated by the Ijaws, Itsekiris and the Isokos. This is where the incumbent Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan comes from. The Isokos in this area too, complains of federal negligence while the Ijaws also believe it is their turn to govern Delta State.
Determined not to be overlooked, the Urhbos who are the majority tribe in Delta State, accounting for about half of the population are threatening that if an Urhobo does not fly the PDP gubernatorial flag come 2015, they will seek alternative route in the All Progressive Party (APC) which could pose serious problems to the presidential bid of President Goodluck Jonathan. As light as it sounds, the numerical strength of the Urhobos as the fifth largest ethnic nationality should be a thing of worry.
While the arguments and sentiments go on, aspirants from the three senatorial districts – Central, South and North are already warming up for the primaries and the subsequent general election. These aspirants are gunning for the tickets of their various parties.
It is in this scenario that one looks out for a bridge-builder and a unity symbol. Somebody who can to a great extent, understand and seamlessly carry Deltans along with minimal hues and cries from the block of agitators. Amongst the contenders and about at the top, is Obaisi (Barr) Ovie Omo-Agege, a former Secretary to the State Government.
This Orogun son who was also an Executive Assistant to the governor and Commissioner for Special Duties, Government House appears to know the problems of Delta State and the intrigues involved in solving the problems. “What Delta State needs is good governance not zoning. When there is good governance, the agitation for a particular zone or ethnic group to lead will not be there because the dividends of democracy will be evenly spread and felt by the masses”, Omo-Agege explained, adding that when there’s no victor nor vanquish, there will be unity. Omo-Agege promises to run an inclusive government when elected Governor in 2015 through participatory governance. Explaining, he said the needs of Deltans are peculiar according to the communities and it is the people in these places that know what their priorities are. It is in view of this he plans to get representatives of all the communities to make inputs into the budgeting process of his government.
It is also important to note that contrary to the well heard campaign of tribe and tongue, Omo-agege does not believe tribe should play a prominent role in choosing our leaders as all humans are interrelated. Using himself as an example, having come from Orogun in Delta Central which is believed to have originated from Aboh in Delta North, with friends and associates from all the three senatorial districts, it will be difficult to strictly align with just a geopolitical zone or ethnic group. “In the period when I was in government serving under a boss, I did not discriminate, is it when I am governor that I will discriminate, he asked a gathering at a consultation meeting in Delta North recently.
Without over emphasis, it will be no gain saying that this Barrister is what Delta State needs in this fragile period of Nigeria’s democracy. It is pertinent to point out that he also has respect for others especially his elders and seniors which is very rewarding even according to the Holy Books. This is evident in the minute of silence he has been observing at every gathering since the passing on of Gen. Patrick Aziza (rtd), the revered Urhobo leader.
Unlike many new entrants into the race who are being allegedly imposed by godfathers or prodded to run, Omo-Agege is an old hand in the game who has entered on his volition with a strong belief that he can add value to governance. He has passed through the rudiments and compulsory life political servant hood for effective leadership. It is often said that “to be a leader, you have to be a servant first”. Omo-Agege has paid his dues and he is ready to serve. His sacrifices and loyalty to the party at the Delta Central Senatorial bye election last year is another indication of his willingness to allow the collective interest supersede his personal ambition.
Omo-Agege did not spring from the moon to come and govern Delta State. Apart from his earlier services as SSG, Commissioner and Executive Assistant to the governor, his father, Rtd Justice Omo-Agege already laid a service foundation as the second Chief Judge of Delta State which he did very well, considering the state’s teething problems then.
From humble beginnings come great things. So it is not surprising that Ovie Omo-Agege who grew up in Oromurhu Orogun and attended L. A. Primary School, Ugono Orogun and St George’s College Obinomba in Ukwuani Local Government Area has today become the leading contender for the governorship of Delta state.
Rather than stay with his parents in the GRA, Omo-Agege chose the less luxurious village life with his aged grand mother, farming and fishing like other lads in the village and helping chores. This shows that from infancy, he started to exude humility, care and love for people which has become the hallmark of his political life. It is these innate and rare qualities in him that has made it easy for him to identify with the yearning of Deltans even now that he has grown to become a political heavyweight. The cap fits him, let’s make him wear it to our glory and pleasure.