By Eseoghene Emuke
The senatorial candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) for Delta South Senatorial District of Delta State, Commodore Nesiama Omatseye (rtd), has said he is the “strategic thinker” the people of the district needs for a robust representation at the National Assembly.
Omatseye said he would unveil his “well-articulated plans for the district” when campaigns resume for the 2023 general elections next month.
The retired military officer spoke during a courtesy visit to members of the Warri Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) recently.
He stated that next year’s elections would not be about political parties but the character of the people seeking to represent the people of Delta South in such an important position at the National Assembly (Senate).
He told journalists that he remains the best candidate among the frontline candidates aspiring to represent the people of Delta South for next year’s poll.
Omatseye said the people of his district need a strategic thinker and planner who could use his office for the betterment of Delta South.
According to him, “Wherever you go in the world and you mentioned that you are from Niger Delta, they look at you, first, as a possible militant. What resulted to it? It’s nothing more than poor governance. Poor strategic thinking that I will mention. Like what will I do in the next four years? All efforts should be geared towards addressing those development issues.
“But those developmental plans were jettisoned along the line. I am a student and proponent of strategic thinking. If you look at my manifesto, it tells you what we intend to do. I didn’t put it there that I will do this and that, but I will influence, lobby and negotiate.
“You must know your level. Before you say all of that, you know your experience and capacity for people to listen to you when negotiating or influencing what will benefit your constituents. If the people are seemingly not comfortable with the way they are being governed, they’ll react.
“When it’s military, we could say it’s an aberration. But since the military has handed over, do we still blame the military for our woes? No! I was in Qatar in 2019 and a few days ago I flew through there on my way back to Nigeria. In a space of 15 years, Qatar transited from a desert to what it’s today.
“They’re holding the world cup. They have some of the best architectural designs and outlooks for buildings and what have you in the world today. When we went to a competition there and the place was so hot, they converted the place to winter.
“They’re using resources from all over the world including Nigeria. It’s a plan. It’s born out of strategic thinking. If we have strategic thinkers and they put themselves into work, we’ll find ourselves where we are right now. Our legislation would have been different. Legislations that will come from the buy-in of the people. That’s why I said my constituency offices would be working to let me know what the people really require.”
Omatseye reiterated that he would defeat his opponents from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Micheal Diden alias Ejele; All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Joel Onohwakpor-Thomas and other candidates vying for the office.
“On my chances of winning and the risk involved, I am a soldier. I have gone to wars – Liberia, Sierra Leone and others…I have seen battles. I fear no foe. Before coming out to contest, I have done my risk assessment. When I set out to do something, I do it.
“My duty is to preach my plans to the people of Delta South for them to buy into it. I am known nationally and internationally. I have the right knowledge, experience and contact to be at the Red Chamber and do something for our people.
“I am not going there to look for money. I want to serve my people and make their lives and the district better. I will defeat my opponents and win the Senate seat next year”, he added.
Speaking on security situation in Niger Delta region, “Government should engage the youths from negative energy to positive energy. That’s why I train them in acts of security, provide jobs for them and they get paid. They are proud they earn legitimate money even though it’s not much. None of those security officers I have trained, you will call to come and fight for you. They don’t have that time. They’re so engaged that they’re not thinking of negative vibes.”
