Chief Peter Olisaeloka Okocha, industrialist and politician is one of those aspiring to contest the Delta State governorship election. In this interview he reviews the contest and pledges to make the state a pacesetter if elected governor in 2015.

 YOU have been in this struggle to govern Delta State for a fairly long time now and still, you have not given up the quest, why this passion?

Well, like l have always said, my passion to govern Delta State is not for ego massaging or a move to amass wealth. My governorship bid   is far from those selfish considerations. I am genuinely concerned in transforming our state to become one where equity, justice and peace and progress reign supreme.

Some say you may be one of the least favoured aspirant given your long drawn legal battle with Governor Emmanuel Udughan whom you challenged his victory at the election tribunal?

Peter Olisaeloka Okocha,

It is true that as the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Governorship candidate in 2011 polls, I went to the election tribunal to challenge Uduaghan’s victory. But like l have always said, my going to the tribunal was not because l had an issue with Uduaghan as a person, l only challenged the process that produced him as a governor then. It was nothing personal and l have tremendous respect for the governor. And when at last, the Appeal Tribunal okayed his victory, l was still satisfied that at least l was heard even, the tribunal upheld his election.

Right to seek justice

Given the above circumstance, l don’t think my going to court in 2011 will affect my ambition to become a governor. I was only exercising a right to seek justice as l felt certain things went wrong in that election. However, we have moved on as that phase was gone for the better.

Do you believe the contest should be restricted to aspirants from Delta North?

In all honesty and sincerity, and like I have often said, l am an apostle of good leadership and l believe that what we should often strive at is to get the best for our state.

But if we want equity, fairness, justice, then Delta North has the inalienable right to govern the state given that the two other zones have had their slots. I often feel pained when some anarchists say that Delta North indigenes should not aspire to be governor because they have Asaba as the State capital. To me, such a stance is like standing logic on its head and it is the height of mischief to say because some people find themselves in a geographical space they never had a choice to be, then they should not ever aspire to govern such a state.

Don’t you think Delta North may lose out in the governorship race given the deluge of aspirants from the zone ?

I don’t think that Delta North will lose out in the race because there are many aspirants from the zone. It is even an advantage and it goes to show they are many people from the area who are eminently qualified for the job. The large number of aspirants from the Delta North zone shows that we have very competent persons who can pilot the affairs of the state creditably.

What is your reaction to the rumour that a particular aspirant has been endorsed for the job?

Well for me, l don’t dwell on rumours and l am not disturbed by such issues. I only set my eyes and mind on the direction l am. However, anybody has the right to prefer any candidate ,but certainly that is not how elections are won. Neither Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan or the PDP leadership in the state has said that aspirant A or B has been endorsed. There will be primaries through the collegiate system and that is what l believe in.