…Asagba of Asaba Laments Underdevelopment of Delta Capital
By Ovie Okpare
Deputy President of the Senate and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, has assured the people of Delta North that his administration will sustain developmental projects in Anioma speaking area of the state if elected as governor in the 2023 governorship.
Omo-Agege specifically stated that his administration will meet the needs and aspirations of the people of Anioma and do even more than what an indigene could have done for the people of Delta North senatorial district.
He spoke on Tuesday when he met with the forum of Delta North Traditional Rulers Council at the palace of Asagba of Asaba, Professor Chike Edozien, in Asaba.
The Delta Central senator informed the royal fathers that he was at the palace to seek for their prayers and blessings as he begins governorship campaign for next year’s election.
Omo-Agege told the traditional rulers that if elected as a governor of Delta State in the forthcoming elections he will serve as bridge between the three senatorial districts and all ethnic groups in the state.
Accompanied by his deputy, Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi and the Director General of the Delta APC Governorship Campaign Council, Elder Godsday Orubebe, the Deputy President of the Senate also assured the monarchs that he will priortise the development of Asaba, the state capital.
While describing himself as the most competent and experienced candidate in the governorship race, he said, “I am here on two accounts. One, to formally notify Your Majesties as the custodians of the culture of the people the Anioma nation, of my intention to run for the office of governor of Delta State in 2023.
“In addition to that, I want to formally ask for your prayers and blessings. I do so because I recognise that even the land where a church is built where a Father preaches, that land belongs to somebody. It is the owners, custodians trustees of the land of Anioma nation that gathered here and that is why I am here to seek your blessings.
“With the various offices I have held, I am fully equipped for the task ahead because of the various offices I have held at the state and federal level. I am completely aware of all of the challenges that the state faces. And as the Deputy President of the Senate, I also have the exposure and contact at the national level and I intend to bring to bear in the governance of Delta State if by God’s grace I am elected.”
While allaying fears of Delta North monarchs, “I want to give an assurance and reassurance that all of the developmental programmes and projects of the current administration will not suffer on account of change of leadership. This is an assurance I want you to take to the bank. Because of two main reasons: one, this is the seat of power. Asaba is the capital of Delta State.
“It is incumbent on every administration to showcase Asaba as its capital. For that reason, Asaba will receive the developmental attention under my administration if for no other reason, that it is a state capital of Delta State.
“And like I also said, also because I am a son of this palace. This is my house and I have every reason to do for Asaba as a state capital what an indigene of Asaba will do for Asaba if he were governor.”
Earlier, the Director General of the Senator Ovie Omo-Agege/Friday Osanebi Campaign Organisation and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe said Omo-Agege is the most competent person to succeed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in 2023.
Orubebe called on the people of Delta State to support the aspirations of the Deputy President of the Senate and vote overwhelmingly for the APC in the next year’s guber poll.
Meanwhile, Delta North Traditional Rulers Council has restated its position for a rotational governorship seat of Delta State among the three senatorial district of the state.
Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi (Prof.) Chike Edozien, who spoke on behalf of the monarchs, bemoaned the underdevelopment of Asaba as the state’s seat of power.
“It is my singular pleasure to receive you on the palace today. I have known you for a long time and I know your capabilities. You mentioned your qualifications for candidature of governorship of Delta State.
“The issue had been canvassed and discussed many times and I am happy to remind you that the position of the Anioma Traditional Rulers is that the governorship position in Delta State shall rotate. It started with Delta Central and Delta South and then Delta North. And we have had many meetings this year and declared unequivocally that thie time around, it is the turn of Delta Central.
“So, in every respect including the senatorial district where you belong, you are fully qualified for this election. We wish you well.
“The issue of Asaba being capital of Delta State, there had been many issues since the creation of the state. And in many ways, it would seem that the government of Delta State has refused to accept that Asaba is the capital of Delta State. For example, in terms of development of many capitals around the country, they have created capital territories.
” In the nation’s capital, you have Abuja Capital Territory. Other states have done the same. You have one in Imo State, Owerri Capital Territory. But Delta State, we have created one called Delta State Capital Territory. Asaba is not recognised. I hope when become governor of the state, you will correct this injustice.
At the local level, the traditional rulers who gave them authority to rule were relevant. At the time of Independence, this arrangement was still recognised. But once the political parties took over and wrote a new constitution, the traditional rulers were taken out of the constitution and it remained so. And that is one of the problem Nigeria has.
“And I hope that when you have the authority and the position, you will do what you can to make the traditional rulers to gain relevance and occupy their rightful position. Because if you do, it will contribute greatly to the development and prosperity of our nation.
“Part of the problem that we have today is that at the local government level, there is no order because the traditional rulers who should be in control of the local government have been excluded. And without developing the local areas, Nigeria will continue to have many problems. Recognising the role of traditional rulers will help to bring Nigeria back into proper development”, Asagba added.
Amongst those who accompanied the APC governorship candidate were Rt. Hon Friday Osanebi, Elder Omeni Sobotie, Dr. Chris Oghenechovwen, Engr Omatsola Tuoyo, Olorogun Ima Niboro, Dr. Ngozi Olejeme, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, Otunba Nick Ovuakporaye, Elder Godsday Orubebe, Godwin Anaughe and Princess Omisan Agbajoh.
