In many ways, Delta state is a microcosm of Nigeria. Just like Nigeria, it is an ethnically diverse state with different ethnic nationalities and many languages spoken. Similarly, Delta state boasts of immense natural and human resources. Apart from producing 35% of the nation’s crude oil, the state is blessed with abundant natural resources such as arable land, rich rain forest, and a sprawling coastline that is a goldmine for the fishing industry. In addition, Delta state is one state that has the potential to develop different deep sea ports in Warri, Koko, Sapele, Bomadi, and Burutu. In short, Delta State is a state of limitless possibilities, an investors’ haven waiting to be explored.

There was a time in this country when Delta, as part of the defunct Benin-Delta province (Bendel), was first in everything – be it sports, industries, or education. Those days seem to be fading into the background. The younger generation has only seen flashes of the glory days of yore. Despite the appreciable infrastructural development of the last 16 years, Delta is currently confronted with a restive youth population, floundering economy, comatose industrial sector, and untapped agricultural potentials. What the state needs now is a strong and visionary leader that will harness and manage the vast potentials of the state in such a way as to reclaim the glory of Delta and turn it into the Dubai of Nigeria. It is not rocket science. The resources are there for any leader with vision, knowledge, strength of character, and the requisite experience to translate into total transformation of the state in all sectors.

With the crash in the oil price and the fluctuating fortunes of the Nigerian economy, the need for a strong and capable leader that will successfully build on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s legacy of Delta Beyond Oil becomes all the more imperative. Otherwise Delta as we know it now will become a shadow of its past. The next governor of the state must possess a sense of vision, requisite knowledge and experience, and be a rallying point for all Deltans if he is to succeed in governing a complex state like Delta.

Without prejudice to other candidates that may be contesting the April 11 election, it can safely be argued that the race to Unity House is a three-horse one involving PDP’s Ifeanyi Okowa, APC’s Ortega Emerhor and Great Ogboru of the Labour Party. Of the three, Senator Okowa is undoubtedly the front runner given his political pedigree and the fact that the PDP is the ruling party in the state. However, both Emerhor and Ogboru are expected to give him a run for his money given their impressive credentials garnered in the private sector. Ogboru in particular is expected to mount a serious challenge to Okowa given his strong showing in the two previous governorship elections in the state.

However, suffice it to say that with just a few weeks to the elections not a few are disappointed with Ogboru and Emerhor. Both candidates have not been able to articulate their vision for the state and present their social contract with the people. They frequently talk about ending “16 years of PDP misrule.” But we are not told how they will achieve that. There are yet to provide us with a political or economic template that is specific, credible, and measurable to enable us make an informed choice. Meanwhile, Okowa has the stated vision of making Delta state “the pacesetter in the Nigerian federation by building an enduring legacy of wealth and prosperity.” With the campaign theme of “Prosperity for all Deltans,” the distinguished senator has developed a blueprint for the transformation of the state encapsulated in his five-point agenda with the acronym S.M.A.R.T., which refers to strategic wealth creation, meaningful peace building, agricultural reforms and Industrialisation, relevant health and education policies, and transformed environment through massive urban renewal

Senator Okowa also enjoys a distinct advantage when it comes to the matter of requisite knowledge and experience for the job. To be sure, the political profiles of both Emerhor and Ogboru have been on the rise in recent years and they both possess strong credentials as private business people. However, managing a private business and running a government are two different things, each requiring a different skill-set and mind-set. Experience is one thing you cannot buy in the market; you have to earn it. When it comes to governing a difficult state like Delta you must be well schooled in the art of politics and governance, which Okowa has in great supply. He has been a local government secretary and chairman, a three-time commissioner in the state and Secretary to the State government. As a serving senator he is currently the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health. His experience in the executive and legislative arms of government coupled with his credentials as a grassroots politician certainly puts him in a vantage position. It has to be said that Delta needs a tested and trust hand to manage its affairs in view of the challenges ahead. This is certainly not the time to experiment.

Finally, Delta state needs a governor that is completely detribalised. The next governor of the state must be someone who will be able to rise above ethnic sentiments and be a rallying point for the different ethnic groups. He must be a personality with the charisma and the strength of character to leverage the rich cultural diversity of the people and turn it into a major advantage. In this regard, I must say that Emerhor and Ogboru have, again, not impressed me. I am at a loss as to why each of them is determined to be identified as the legitimate Urhobo candidate. How do you expect to run as the Urhobo candidate in a culturally diverse state like Delta and not expect to alienate the other ethnic groups? On the contrary, Okowa currently cuts the image of a detribalised and unifying personality. Affirming that he is a “Deltan at heart” he recently made the point that “any person aspiring to lead our people cannot, and should not, present himself as the candidate of a particular ethnic group. We must continue to build bridges of unity and love across one Delta.” That is the spirit of statesmanship that any person aspiring to be the governor of Delta state must possess. Delta no dey carry last!

Gabriel Umukoro writes from Warri.