HONOURABLE Abel Oshevire is a former member of the Delta State House of Assembly. He was elected into the House in 2007 and he was the Chairman of the House Committee on Information. Before his election into the House, Hon Abel Oshevire was the Senior Special Assistant (Media) to Chief James Onanefe Ibori from 1999 to 2007. He is a strong member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. In this interview, Oshevire bared his mind on the 2015 election and the place of the PDP. Excerpts:

By Festus Ahon

What is your take on the emergence of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as the gubernatorial candidate of PDP in Delta State?

Honestly, I think Okowa’s emergence is one of the best things to happen to us in PDP given his wealth of experience. He has come a long way and I believe that he will make a difference in the governance of this state.

Don’t forget that Okawa has been part of the system throughout this political dispensation. He has been commissioner on three, four occasions, he has been SSG and a Senator, so he has seen it all. So, I believe Okowa right now, at the moment is the best man for this job. Don’t forget that I am fortunate to have worked very closely with him under Ibori.

He is a very humble person, he is a bridge builder, he is a unifier, he is a man who does not look at who you are or where you come from. He believes in what you can do as a person.

For me, during my upbringing, I see a good leader as someone who realizes the potentials of each person because every of each person, because every one of us has talents. If a man can appreciate your talent, he will get the best out of you and give you all the room to be the best.

Looking at the endorsement of the Labour Party candidate, Chief Great Ogboru by the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, do you think Okowa will be able to win the governorship election?

Well, for me like l have said, I know Okowa very well and I can go everywhere to campaign for him. What my people should be concerned about is about the quality of the person. Has he been tested before? Okowa has been tested many times and he has proven himself as a thorough administrator and technocrat. Okowa is not a small boy when it comes to governance; he is not a small boy when it comes to discussing national issues. He has the network of contacts in Abuja, and round the country. That is the kind of person that we should be looking at.

We are looking at a governor that is tested, a governor who knows what governance is all about, who can manage the finances that we have very well.

So, for me, I think the Urhobos should see Okowa as the candidate, as the governor that is neither an Ika nor an Anioma governor, but as Deltan governor who is going to work for the good of the state. We are going to see him as somebody that will protect our interests and the collective interest of Delta State.

Therefore, unlike what happened in previous elections, Okowa is going to get more votes in Delta Central, we are going to give him our votes, the votes that will enable him to win convincingly come April 11, 2015.

I am very optimistic that Okowa will be the next governor of Delta State.

You can see what is unfolding in the UPU now. It is like UPU has been politicized, which is not the best. I remember when (James) Ibori came into governance there was no problem in UPU. Ibori was able to organize the UPU and the late Benjamin was able to pilot the affairs of the UPU very well. Now the UPU that we are having today, it is unfortunate that there is this polarization.

My advice to our people is that they should look closely, and be careful so that we do not hurt our neighbours in the process. We should all be our brother’s keeper.

God did not make a mistake in putting all of us in this place called Delta and God sees every one of us as equals before him. He loves every one of us as his children.

So my advice is that the UPU is that we should try to put our house in order, because it is not good for our interest, it is not good for our image and it is not good for our integrity.

The LP and APC candidates are very confident that with the support of Urhobo, they are going to unseat the PDP government in the state. What is your reaction to this?

PDP is an institution; one man cannot unseat PDP, no matter what they do, no matter the noise they are making, PDP will remain PDP. When the chips are down we the PDP stalwarts will go back home. Look at the leaders across the state. Who are the leaders? They are all in PDP and who are those that make a party to win an election? It is the leaders. So, we shall all go back to our various units and go and take charge. In my small village unit, I determine where the votes will go to. I canvass my people, I will tell them what to do, so it is with every leader.

For you to win an election, you must have a structure. We are going to take this as a very serious affair, that is the essence of elections. I can assure you, not Delta State, no small party can come and defeat PDP. Come rain come shine, PDP will still carry the day but at the state and at the national level. By the grace of God, I am confident of what I am saying. Come March 28 and April 11, PDP will be declared winner across board.