BY Eunice Emeyazia.

Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Delta state, have received members of the Olorogun David Edevbie Campaign Organisation, as he formally declared his intention to contest in the 2023 Gubernatorial race.

The event held on Monday at the PDP state secretariat Asaba, Delta State.

The State chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Kingsley Esiso commended Olorogun David Edevbie for taking up the courage to strive to fulfil his ambition.

Chief Esiso assured all stakeholders that a level playing field would be provided for every aspirant vying for the various positions under the umbrella of the PDP, reminding the aspirants that whosoever emerged at the end of the delegates election, automatically became the party’s candidate.

In his remarks, Olorogun David Edevbie said the visit was to formally declare to his party leaders, his intention to run for the office of Governor in the 2023 elections, and asked for a level playing field for aspirants to contest, as that would help the people to accept the outcome of the election.

Olorogun Edevbie who said he would prioritize Energy in his agenda for the state if elected, promised to ensure 24 hours power supply, bearing in mind the importance of stable electricity to development.

He also vowed to among other things, improve the Security situation in the state by increasing funding for the security trust fund and securing security apparatus, while also industrializing the state through job and wealth creation programmes.

The Governorship aspirant said he would build on the laudable achievements of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Director General of the Edevbie Campaign Organisation, Chief Clement Ofuani, presenting Chief Edevbie’s antecedents, at both the national and international levels, said his background has made him a tested and proven candidate to succeed the incumbent.

The event was witnessed by a cross section of party stakeholders and supporters of the Governorship candidate.

Eunice Emeyazia.

By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA

Frontline Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant for Delta State in 2023, Olorogun David Edevbie said supporting his ambition to occupy the ‘Dennis Osadebe House’ Asaba in 2023 is sending out the best eleven in a football competition.

Edevbie stated this today when he consulted traditional rulers in Delta Central at a meeting held at the palace of Ovie, Dr. Richard Ogbon, Ogoni-Oghoro 1 JP, The Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the State.

He said he had the best experiences for the job. That with his experiences he does not need anymore training to govern the State perfectly.

According to Edevbie “You cannot have a Lion Messi and Christiano Ronaldo in your team and bench them in a competitive game. I am Urhobo best 11at this moment. I have all the experiences needed to govern Delta State effectively and I promise that I won’t let you down from the day I will be sworn in Governor.

“I am the most qualified to govern the State in 2023”. He added.

The Delta governorship hopeful who disclosed that he came to seek for the blessings of healthy long life and wisdom to succeed from the Delta Central Monarchs, noted that one can have all the academic qualifications but to lead humans he still needs the indigenous inner sense to accomplish all areas of leadership.

While noting that traditional rulers are integra part of government, that politicians are only holding power on behalf for, Edevbie said he would work with traditional rulers to achieve his set goals.

The highlight of the visit was individual prayers from the about twenty monarchs for God Almighty to grant and guide Olorogun David Edevbie to succeed in his desire to govern Delta and all that he requested for, which includes good health, wisdom, resources and peace.

By Tomi Wujoala

The Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olorogun Kingsley Esiso has said the party is excited about the vision and development plans of its frontline Governorship aspirant, Olorogun David Edevbie.

Esiso made the disclosure in Asaba on Monday afternoon at the PDP Secretariat when Edevbie visited the party’s State Executive Committee and Working to officially declare his intention to contest for the ticket of the party for the 2023 Governorship election.

Edevbie received a standing ovation from both members of the State Working Committee and members of the party present after he stated his vision and development plans for the state which includes improved power supply, combating insecurity, industrialisation, jobs and wealth creation, integrated social infrastructure development, integration of the riverine communities and upgrade of state institutions to be driven by information and digital technology, all geared towards creating a vibrant and robust economy for the benefit of Deltans.

Reacting to Edevbie’s presentation of his vision, the state party chairman said he was excited at Edevbie’s modernisation agenda and relates perfectly well with its feasibility as exactly what is needed in building a developed society.

“I am excited with Olorogun David Edevbie’s vision for the modernisation of the state and I want to thank him for coming up with the ideas,” Esiso said in elation.

“As a student of development, I am always happy to see ideas and plans like this because that is what we need for the development of our society. We need modernisation.”

The endorsement of Edevbie’s capacity to lead was first made by Chief Patrick Fovie, Chairman of Delta Central PDP who welcomed him to the event.

According to Fovie, Edevbie’s capacity is outstanding and he is someone any society can proudly send forward to act for it.

“Not all heads can carry a load and deliver it well to the end but we know that Olorogun David Edevbie has a good head and can carry the load and deliver it perfectly as Governor of our state.

“Edevbie has all it takes to lead Delta to greater heights. We therefore pray God to keep him in good health and grant him success to emerge as the Governor of the state because we know he will make Delta State greater than he will meet it.”

Director General of David Edevbie Campaign Organisation, Chief Clement Ufuani, who officially presented him to the State Executives and Working Committee held the audience spell bound when he reeled out Edevbie’s achievements in contribution to the development of the state and his pan-Delta disposition.

“When Olorogun David Edevbie was brought from an overseas corporation where he controlled hundreds of millions of pounds under his portfolio but when he arrived and was made Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in 1999, the state budget was a paltry N6.3b. The subvention of the Ministry of Education, to take care of all the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, for instance, was just N500,000. There was virtually nothing the state could achieve with that amount. But Edevbie was not discouraged.

“He got down to work, and by 2003 he had increased the state income from N6.3b to N60.2bn. That was how Chief James Ibori was able to achieve some of the development projects for which he is loved and hailed across various communities in Delta State.

“It is no surprise that subsequent administrations of Delta State always called him back to serve again as their Commissioner of Finance. It is also no surprise that he was appointed Principal Secretary to late President Umaru Yar’adua at the national level, a position by which he virtually administered the whole nation at that point in our history. I testify because I was by his ringside.

“He is extremely detribalised and pan-Deltan. He appointed me his Special Assistant without our knowing each other before. He simply based his judgement on my credentials. He further supported me to be appointed Commissioner for Economic Planning which split his ministry into two. He also recommended me for appointed as Special Adviser to the President. Yet he is from Afiesere in Ughelli and I am from Ubulu-Okiti in Anioma. His second Special Assistant when he was first made commisioner, Charles Nenyiaba, was also from Agbor. That is David Edevbie for you. He is not interested in where you come from or what language you speak. He believes in capacity to deliver on set goals and objectives for the development of the state. He is the kind of person of person our Delta needs at this time to navigate the state through the emerging global and national economic challenges.”

By News View

Olorogun David Edevbie received a massive boost in his bid for the Governorship of Delta State when the Anioma Congress, the supreme socio-cultural body of Delta North, hosted him, Thursday afternoon, in Asaba.

The event which held at the Palace of the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Professor Chike Edozien, had in attendance over 40 traditional rulers from various communities and hundreds of top Anioma political, professional and businesses leaders.

David Edevbie and his entourage who went to consult with the leadership of the Anioma nation was overwhelmed by the expression of love by the top leaders for him.

Presiding over the event, the Asagba of Asaba said the reception was necessary for them to hear from and access his agenda for the development of the state.

“Anioma is one people. We speak in one voice. The Anioma Congress is composed of the traditional rulers, the political, business and professional class. We are here to guide our people and when we speak, we believe we speak the mind of the people.”

After outlining his vision and agenda for the development of the state, members of the congress expressed satisfaction with his programmes and capacity to deliver, saying he would make a great Governor for Delta State.

Much like tacitly endorsing him, it was agreed that they would meet again with him immediately after the PDP primaries to work together for the progress of the state.

Obi Edozien also seized the opportunity to re-interate his belief that power should be zoned while also pointing out the need for governments to accord the traditional institutions the respect they deserve as custodians.

“Various groups in Delta came from the same source and are distributed into various zones. For us, the most harmonious way to share power is by zoning.”

The highlight of the event was the offering of prayers by the traditional rulers for Edevbie’s success in his bid and for his health and safety.

The prayer led by the Asagba himself was closed by the Ezi of Ezionum, His Royal Majesty, Ambassador Dr Roland Osanwuta (JP).

Also present at the event was former Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Benjamin Elue.