After several months of intensive consultations across the state over his ambition to become governor of Delta State come 2019, APC top gubernatorial contender Dr. Obire Oghenejodiakpo officially launched out over the weekend by making his intentions public with a formal declaration to his people of Ovu Ward 5 in Ethiope East Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, the aspirant disclosed that his decision to offer himself for service to the people of Delta State by entering the gubernatorial race, was informed by his age-long passionate desire to help build a well developed, economically viable and well-positioned State that would be the envy of its contemporaries and provide abundant opportunities for the people and generations unborn.
He lamented that it was appalling to that Delta State, which is blessed with abundant human and natural resources is still groping in the dark and wallowing in abject under-develpment many years after its creation, as a result of both lack of technical know-how to appropriately coordinate and deploy the available human and natural resources into meaningful use on one hand, and large scale looting of State resources by those privileged to be at helm of affairs.
According to him, there is no justification for the perennial under-development of the State in the midst of the available resources, stressing that the situation clearly underscores the inability of the present crop of managers of the State’s affairs to proffer workable solutions that could guarantee the expected level of development.
Dr. Obire told his people that he was aware of the alarming level of despair that is raging across the length and breadth of the State, where Deltans have lost absolutely faith in the system, by reason of the inability to deliver quality leadership, development and economic stability, but assured that his coming into the gubernatorial race was to bring the message of hope to the people and correct the anomalies.
He categorically declared that he not only possesses all it takes to become the governor of the state, but knows how to expertly stir the ship of the State and guide it out of the present quagmire, decay, abysmal and hopeless situation that is currently the order of the day, and build a system with abundant opportunities for all Deltans.
Speaking further, Dr. Obire assured that he is bringing his wealth of experience in the business world, where he has excelled as a notable business mogul and seasoned administrator, to bear, just as he revealed that his manifesto appropriately captures all that the state would require to leap from the current level to that where it can compete favourably with its contemporaries anywhere in the world.
He maintained that beside being blessed with crude oil, Delta State is swarming in other natural resources some of which are even yet to be discovered and tapped, adding that his projection for a better Delta is not entirely anchored on crude oil earnings or the meagre monthly tokens from the Federal Government in the name of allocation that presently serves as the State’s only means of survival, as he has other countless viable means to exploit and generate enough funds to run the State and embark on massive infrastructural development as well as provide socio-economic stability that could make Deltans proud of themselves.
The aspirant who said he requires the overwhelming support of his people and solicited for their prayers for the race, called on Deltans to be ready to vote out the PDP from the State come 2019, pointing out that the continued recycling of those that have been in the system since 1999 will not do the state much good other than the continued recycling of the same ideas that have not been able to take the State anywhere.
In his response, the Chairman of the APC in Ovu Ward 5, Capt. Friday Edjeriabe, rtd., commended Dr. Obire Oghenejodiakpo for coming out and making himself available for election into the office of governor, saying there is no doubt about the fact that Delta State needs to be liberated and taken from the hands of those who have shown sufficient reasons for the people to know that they have no meaningful thing to offer.
He reiterated the readiness of the APC executive as well as entire party members of the Ovu Ward 5 to stand firmly and be part of the processes to send the PDP packing from Delta State come 2019 just as the party did to PDP at the national level in the 2015 general elections.
The Ward Party Chairman who expressed confidence in the ability of Dr. Obire to deliver if elected governor by reason of his wide-acclaimed giant strides in the private sector, however told the aspirant not to relent in his consultations and soliciting for the support of all Deltans, adding that there is no doubt that Deltans would embrace his message summarised in his campaign slogan of ‘Liberation 2019’ and give him the chance to raise the stakes of the State.
Others who spoke during the Ward declaration including Mr. Emmanuel Obire, Mr. Rex Golde, Chief Idede, Mr. Henry Isebe, Chief (Engr.) Ibede A.G among others, described Dr. Obire Oghenejodiakpo is an outstanding man of great integrity and renowned goal-getter whose experiences and expertise are needed at the present time to move Delta State forward.
The Party chieftains also assured the gubernatorial hopeful of their preparedness to spread the message of his campaign by helping to senaitise and mobilize Deltans towards the actualization of the Obire 2019 governorship project.
The colourful event attracted party faithful, leaders and supporters of Dr. Obire Oghenejodiakpo both from the Ovu Ward 5 and other parts of the Ethiope East Local Government Area, including Mr. Tobore Ovumedia, Chief Isaac Ekpokpobe, Mr. Ogheneovo Oyoma, Mr Etederhi Tobore, Mr Okuro Odibo, Mr Edore Emmanuel, Mr Emmanuel Oyibovwiedo, Mr Ilaya Omote, Chief Fidelis Egbago, Mrs Friday Grace and Mrs Hope Akpode.
Also in attendance were Mrs Elizabeth Obie, Pastor Friday Agoda, Madam Margaret Idogho, Mrs G Agoda, Chief Ibede, Mr Tega Odukuye, Mr Joseph Ituge, Mr. Believe Eduviekeya, Mr. Godwin Ovie, Mr. Onome Godwin, Mr Asigheghe Paul, Mr Jonathan Idodo, Mr Solomon Oyovwikigho, Mr Prince Omoraka, Mr Emudiaga Ovwere, Mr Philip Orokevwie, Chief Joe Unukpo, Hon Ohre, Mr Lawrence Emajemite, Mr Johnbull Emakpo and Mr Emmanuel Omugheli
Other notable personalities include Mrs Ese Omugheli, Ms Onome Oghenevwogagan, Ms. Lydia Ogheneochuko, Ms Karo Ogheneochuko.34. Mrs Edirin Obioguru, Mr Israel Oroghodo, Mr Oke Atavwoda, Mr Esanubi, Mr Lucky Emojevu and Mr Ehwuke Okpako.
