OBARISI Ovie Omo-Agege is a frontline candidate in the March 28 Delta Central Senatorial election. Omo-Agege, former Secretary to the Delta State Government, SSG, in this interview, speaks on his candidacy, his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the breathe of fresh air he says the Delta Governorship candidate of Labour Party, Great Ogboru would bring to the state. Excerpts:

BY Festus Ahon

What informed your decision to join forces with Chief Great Ogboru after the PDP governorship primary election?

For all of our state’s wealth, there should be no suffering in the land. But what do we have everywhere after 16 years of democratic rule in our state? Rising extreme poverty, declining living standards, rising unemployment and inequalities in opportunities. What is more, a huge number of our people who should live are dying of curable diseases every day, failing schools and crumbling infrastructure. Even our freedom and democracy are being threatened by unmitigated corruption. It doesn’t have to be so. The vast majority of our people desperately need change because we can’t continue on this path of mismanagement. I subscribe to this because I believe Delta State can do better.

Having been out of government for over seven years, I ran for governor as an outsider to bring change to Asaba from within PDP. But those who want the status quo to remain conspired against me to deny me the ticket. And they thought that would be the end of our struggle for change. They expected me to support them to continue the plunder. What they did not realise is that the progress we seek is unyielding. Our dream of a better society must not die just because a few in PDP want to maintain their grip on power. So I refuse to be part of this business as usual mentality.

 Omo-Agege

The good people of Delta are frustrated with continued tolerance of corruption in government. And they want more than a simple changing of the guard. They are crying out for real change. They need a government that is transparent, accountable and free from corruption.

Of all those contesting, Chief Great Ogboru is the agent of change. He is the best man at this moment to bring about the change we desire. That is why I have decided to join forces with him to free Delta State and launch it on the trajectory of inclusive growth path and equal opportunity for all.

Our youths need hope. Let us build Delta State of equal opportunity and no discrimination. A Delta State where, where you come from and the languages you speak do not matter is what we deserve. I trust that Ogboru can give Deltans the change they desire and deserve. That is why I am supporting him.

Given that the Urhobo don’t want to abide in opposition don’t you think that your Senate ambition on the platform of Labour Party would be rejected?

Chief Ogboru won the two elections of 2011, and he will win again on April 11. But unlike in the previous elections he will not be denied victory this time. So the issue of Urhobo being in opposition will not arise.

More importantly, however, Ogboru will be governor of all Deltans. There will be no discrimination of any sort. So whether any section of the state voted for him or not will not be an issue in the allocation of resources and appointments. No section of the state will be marginalised. Even opposition political parties will not be victimised.

Some persons accuse you of selling out the Urhobo; Why?

I think you should direct this question to those who have made those allegations.

Personal costs and risks

All I can tell you is that the allegations are unfounded. In my four years in government from 2003 to 2007, I worked to project and protect the interest of the Urhobo whenever I am opportune to do so. Sometimes, I did so at huge personal costs and risks. I have made so many sacrifices to ensure that Urhobos occupied the rightful place in the politics of our state and country, and no amount of blackmail will deter me from standing on the side of our people.

Those who are involved in this campaign of calumny against me are afraid of me politically. Their aim is to mislead the people. But the Urhobo people know better. This senatorial election will give them the opportunity to decide whether they want a Senator who has a record of fighting for the interest of the people or one who supports a political party agenda that humiliates the Urhobo people by keeping them out of government house for 24 years or more to the benefit of himself, the powerful and well-connected.

But don’t you think that was the reason the UPU leadership chose Mr David Edevbie above you despite the support you gave during and after their election?

So far, I have refrained from making any comment on what happened during the primaries of the PDP with regard to the actions of UPU, and I am not going to do otherwise now. Our concern now must be about the future. What is important now is that the UPU has endorsed the candidate of my party, the Labour Party, Chief Great Ogboru. We are happy about this endorsement, and we thank the leadership of UPU and the Urhobo people.

You stated during your campaign in the PDP governorship primaries that you would not leave the party even if you were not given the ticket. Today you are in LP; why?

The PDP primary process was flawed from the very beginning. Contrary to the party guidelines which provided for the election of delegates, the three delegates to the primaries were selected. This enabled few individuals to manipulate the process in favour of some aspirants.

The level playing field promised by the party was absent. Under these circumstances, it became difficult to remain in the party.

I refuse to continue to be part of a party where few people decide who gets the nomination on the basis of a non-existing zoning and power rotation arrangement that is promoting ethnic tensions and mediocrity when the greater majority of the people want the best to emerge governor. I won’t allow a few to impose their will on the people of Delta State yet again. I will not sit back and allow the dictatorship of a minority to thwart the collective will of the people for change.