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Tag: omo-agege

  • Elections: Omo-Agege dares PDP rival, Oborevwori, demands public debate on stewardship to Urhobo nation

    Elections: Omo-Agege dares PDP rival, Oborevwori, demands public debate on stewardship to Urhobo nation

    Deputy Senate President and Delta All Progressives Congress, APC, Governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has dared the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate and Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, to a public debate on their stewardship to the Urhobo people of Delta Central.

    Senator Omo-Agege threw the challenge, Monday, January 16, in Orerokpe, headquarters of Oborevwori’s Okpe LGA, where the ongoing ward to ward campaign of the APC started for the new week, continuing on to Aghalokpe and Adeje.

    “I hereby use this opportunity to challenge Sheriff Oborevwori, Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and governorship candidate of the PDP to a debate on national television to give account of our stewardship so far to the people we represent.”.

    Senator Omo-Agege said the 2023 governorship election in Delta State is basically between APC and PDP and therefore, expected Oborevwori and himself, both Urhobos, to submit the report cards of their stewardship to their Constituents, in the full view of Deltans and Nigerians in general.

    He said it would be interesting for Oborevwori, as Speaker and number three citizen of Delta State, with all the development projects sited by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in his own Owa-Alero village, to say what he brought to his own Constituents, even with all the loans he approved for the governor.

    He demanded an explanation on how N20 billion approved and expended on the abandoned PTI/Orerokpe/Eku/Abraka Road by the Okowa administration in which Speaker Oborevwori is a key member, was spent. He also demanded to know why the Orerokpe Stadium was abandoned.

    “Painfully, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa brought Speaker Oborevwori as candidate of the PDP to cover his tracks but all ethnic groups in Delta State are opposed to the bad choice of Okowa for a successor.”

    He committed to completing the PTI/Orerokpe/Eku/Abraka Road, construct the bridge that links Agbarho and Orerokpe, and ensure that the abandoned Sapele Technical College is revived when elected governor of Delta State.

    Earlier, Senator Omo-Agege’s running mate, Rt Hon Friday Osanebi, noted that the appropriation of all funds in the State is by the Speaker, but lamented that Oborevwori, an Okpe son, could not use his office to attract anything significant to his constituency.

    Candidate for the seat of the Okpe LGA in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hero Omwirhven, a lawyer, said the House of Assembly is not a place you send touts to, and promised to be dedicated if elected member of the house.

    “I will carefully read through all documents that come my way before signing, I will not sign away the fortunes of my constituents” he said.

    Chief Ede Dafinone, Senatorial Candidate for Delta Central, posited all candidates of the APC are credible and it was time for Deltans and Nigerians at large, to enjoy good governance.

    At Aghalokpe, Omo-Agege paid a visit to his maternal family compound where prayers for his victory at the 2023 governorship election were offered by the head of the Onokpayunu family, Pa Akika Adota.

  • Omo-Agege narrates how Oborevwori chased companies and businesses out of Delta

    Omo-Agege narrates how Oborevwori chased companies and businesses out of Delta

    Deputy Senate President and Delta All Progressives Congress , APC, Governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has indicted his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, opponent, Sheriff Oborevwori, for chasing away companies and businesses that once boosted the economy of the State through organized criminal extortion, aka “deve.”

    According to him, it was Oborevwori that started the illegal and unregulated taxation of companies and businesses in the Osubi area, which rapidly spread to Uwvie and then other parts of the state.

    Senator Omo-Agege, while speaking at Otor-Udu, Ovwian and Aladja, during the ongoing ward to ward campaigns of the APC, revealed that the widespread illegal taxation and general intimidation of private businesses in the state caused many of them to fold up or relocate from Delta.

    He told the mammoth crowd of party faithful and supporters that the Delta State Governorship election scheduled to hold early March this year is too important to the destiny Delta State to be left in the hands of thugs and persons of dubious character.

    He said the next governor should be somebody who is academically qualified, mentally equipped, and one who has an interest in the development of the economy of the State. “At this critical stage, Delta does not need a governor who has no basic knowledge of Development Economics that can design policies that positively impact the citizens of the State.

    “Deltans do not need the chairman or leader of touts who had been actively involved in chasing away investors that were doing business here, in the name of ‘Deve’.”

    He described Delta Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as ”a very wicked man who does not have the interest of Deltans at heart.” It is for this reason, he added, among all the Urhobo sons and daughters who served in his government, “he chose a tout and ‘Deve’ Collector to succeed him.”

    “It is time to chase Okowa and his ‘Deve’ Collector, Sheriff, away from the State and punish them for misappropriating resources of Delta State for seven years and seven months. You can do this by voting all candidates of APC,” he said.

    He expressed disappointment with the present situation at the Delta Steel Complex situated in Aladja. He said if the purpose of privatizing it was to increase efficiency and create wealth and jobs, the purpose has so far been roundly defeated.

    He promised to laiase with the relevant authorities to do something about the company so that the people can benefit from its presence on their land. He also assured retirees of DSC who had not been paid that he would address their issue as soon as he became governor.

    Senator Omo-Agege lamented the state of the strategic Udu Bridge, which he said has become a deathtrap, “and regrettably Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is waiting until casualties are recorded so that he can set up a committee to plan their funeral.”

    “But I commit to you, when I am elected governor by the grace of God, we will reconstruct the Udu Bridge. I give you my assurance, we will reconstruct the bridge. What will the bridge cost that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa could not spare considering the wealth of the State, and allow it to continue to endanger the lives of Deltans? Count on me , trust me, we will do it. Just let me emerge as governor and we will address the problems of Udu people”.

    Senator Omo-Agege also thumped his chest that he has delivered on all the campaign promises he made in 2015 and 2019. From his Light up Urhoboland programme where every community in Delta central has been touched, as well as renovation and sometimes, outright reconstruction of schools across Central, to new legacy projects, like the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, among others, he can confidently say he has delivered.

    Also today, he commissioned a self help water project built by beneficiaries of his women empowerment programme in Ubogo market, Udu. The unplanned event happened when enthusiastic market women “waylaid “ his campaign convoy and demanded he that he commissions the project, in acknowledgement of his contributions to their businesses.

    Speaking earlier, Delta APC chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, urged Deltans to vote against rascals and hooligans, and vote for all APC candidates, who he described as credible, well educated, and who have the interest of the people at heart.

  • Omo-Agege pledges to address teachers’ shortage in Delta

    Omo-Agege pledges to address teachers’ shortage in Delta

    Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, the All Progressive Congress (APC) Delta Governorship Candidate in Delta, has promised to address shortage of primary and secondary school teachers in the state.

    Omo-Agege, also the Deputy President of the Senate, said this at the party’s ward-to-ward campaign visit to Iyara, Oviri Olomu and Kiagbodo in Ughelli South and Burutu Local Government Areas of the state.

    “My administration will urgently tackle the shortfall in the number of primary and secondary school teachers in the state if elected as governor.

    “I will also address the students/teachers ratio by way of ensuring that the people of Delta get qualitative education through the engagement of qualified teachers,” he said.

    He said that he was aware of the shortfalls in teachers particularly in the coastal communities in the state.

    Addressing the mammoth crowd, Omo-Agege said that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved N40 billion oil and gas industrial park in the state to be sited at the boundary communities of Eku and Abraka in Ethiope East LGAs.

    “A few days ago, I was discussing with a prominent leader in Ijawland who is like a father to me. He told me about primary and secondary schools in Burutu where you have total teachers strength is about 16 teaching over 700 students.

    “But do not worry, good news is coming. When I emerge as the governor of Delta, we are going to address the students/teacher ratio imbalance in our primary and secondary schools.

    “So that our children who are going to schools would have solid foundation for learning. Our schools will get teachers with me as the governor.

    “With what I have done as a Senator in Delta Central Senatorial District, as governor, I will do much more if elected and bring development to all part of the state,” he said.

    The lawmaker said that he could only become the governor with the support of the people and urged them to vote massively for APC candidates in the 2023 general election.

    “I made certain promises at that time, you voted for me and I went to the Senate. In 2019, I came back to you again to ask for further support to send me back to the Senate.

    “Ughelli South you were there for me. Because of your support alongside other local governments in Urhoboland, I went back to the Senate and was able to emerge as the Deputy President of the Senate.

    “So, what this means is that without you there will be no Sen. Omo-Agege, so I am grateful from the depth of my heart.

    “In the course of my service in the Senate, I made certain promises as Deputy President of the Senate to bring development to the whole of Urhoboland,” he said.

    Omo-Agege added:”Today, in every LGA including Ughelli South, in every community and village here, there is no place that my impact has not been felt.

    “In some others places especially in the riverine communities. I visited Egbe-Ode community in the course of the campaign and I noticed that most of the graveyards were being washed away into the river.

    “I promised them that I will bring shore protection to that place. And we brought a project worth N1.2b to that place.”

    Omo-Agege said that he used his position in the senate to attract the siting of Federal Polytechnic Orogun and the oil and gas industrial park to the state.

    Elder, Omeni Sobotie warned against intimidation of APC supporters in the state.

    Sobotie said that APC would emerge victorious in the general election in the state and urged other members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to dump the party for the APC ahead of the election.

    Highpoint of the campaign was the defection of some chieftains of the PDP to the APC.

    Among them were: Eunice Okoh, former aspirant for the House of Representatives ticket, Ughelli South, Ughelli North and Udu Federal Constituency and Mrs Alice Ogba and among others.

    Receiving the defectors, the state APC chairman told them that they had made the right choice by dumping the PDP, assuring that APC would win with a high margin.

  • Elections: Omo-Agege boasts mass defection from PDP soon

    Elections: Omo-Agege boasts mass defection from PDP soon

    …raises hope for Isoko Riverine communities

    Deputy Senate President, and Delta All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has said there will be a tsunami of defections from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the APC in the days ahead.

    He spoke at the APC Ward to Ward campaigns, Monday, at Iyede-Ame and Ofagbe, both Isoko communities, in Ndokwa East and Isoko North LGAs respectively.

    While welcoming the latest top level decampees from PDP, notably former House of Assembly Speaker, Chief Monday Igbuya; former Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Executive Secretary, Chief Andy Osawota; former DESOPADEC Commissioner, Chief Pius Ovbije, aka POC; and former Executive Assistant to Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Technical Education, Michael Akpobire, Senator Omo-Agege said this is just the tip of the iceberg.

    “ I can comfortably tell you that Governor Okowa and PDP have seen nothing yet. In next days and weeks ahead, there’s going to be a tsunami, and it will shake Delta PDP to its very foundations.

    “ Already, we have been informed that other senior members of the party like BOT member, Chief Judith Enamuotor, and former House of Representatives member, Mrs. Almona Isei have left. They are joining us.

    “ Governor Okowa is so wicked that even his own party members are angrier than even others. In Seven years and seven months, he has received over N4.2 trillion. But look at our state. There’s absolutely nothing to show for it. Instead, all we hear are allegations that he has used N25billion of Delta money to float a bank.

    “ Last week, I challenged him to tell Deltans the truth about the bank. I’m still waiting. We are all waiting. And to ad insult to injury, he goes and brings Sheriff Oborevwori, a man whose academic and moral credentials are in public dispute, to succeed him as governor. That’s the biggest insult of all.”

    Senator Omo-Agege enjoined Deltans to join hands to terminate Governor Okowa’s “illicit dream “ to be Vice President. The way to do this is to vote massively for APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as all other APC candidates across the board.

    Meanwhile, renewed hopes of a good life have risen in communities across the Ase River as Senator Omo-Agege, has made a commitment to address the problems confronting them when elected governor.

    Speaking at the rally at Iyede-Ame, Senator Omo-Agege promised to construct a road and a bridge across the Ase River that will link Ofagbe, Ibrede to Iyede-Ame.

    He also promised to make the primary and secondary schools in Iyede-Ame functional by ensuring that within his first 100 days in office as governor, adequate number of teaching and non-teaching personnel would be deployed to Iyede-Ame.

    “I am convinced that in a Community like this where there is no light, no school, no potable water, you don’t also have a hospital. I commit to you that we will do something about that. We will give you a befitting health center.”

    He urged the people to also vote Asiwaju Tinubu for President so with his help at the federal level, he would execute all the projects with ease, especially by engaging the services of interventionist agencies like the NDDC.

    “Whatever you do, ensure that we control the federal government. If you vote for me and you don’t vote for Tinubu, I would be like an orphan.

    “Whatever commitment I make today is on my behalf and on behalf of Tinubu. I know you have supported a PDP government for the past 24 years and Iyede-Ame remains as it is. Despite your obvious abandonment, Okowa and his people are still saying that you support the PDP. I believe it is wickedness for anybody to campaign for PDP here. It is evil”

    He expressed gratitude to the monarch of Iyede-Ame, HRH Simeon Egwe, the Odion of Iyede-Ame, for his support assuring that he would not forget his gesture after becoming governor of Delta State.

    Highpoint of the rally was the spiritual enthronement of Senator Omo-Agege as governor of Delta State by Archbishop Julius Ediwe (JP) of the Chapel of Love Evangelical Worldwide, Port-Harcourt, and President of Niger Delta Ministers Forum who on behalf of himself and his members, declared and enthroned Omo-Agege as the next governor of Delta State.

    “Many persons have become governors of Delta State but none has stepped his foot on this village. Because you are becoming the next governor, God enabled you to come here to be enthroned. For this reason, I declare from heaven, not by might or by swiftness of race, but by God that shows mercy, receive the mercy to be governor.”

    Earlier on, the President General of Iyede-Ame, Engr S.V.O Emebeyo in a welcome address lamented that for the past 24 years the people of ward 18 have consistently impressed the PDP with their votes, “but we have been rewarded with a bag full of empty promises which is evident in all the area, beginning from the unconstructed road, lack of electricity, lack of pipe-borne water, lack of healthcare facility, lack of teaching personnel in our primary and secondary schools.

    “Our hope was renewed when you became the Governorship candidate of the APC and given a boost with your choice of Chief Engr Friday Osanebi, our son, as your running mate. We assure you of victory at the polls and wish to ask you to do all the things that have been maliciously denied us by the PDP over the years.”

    In faith and assurance of fulfilling his promises, the people raised the Community war song and honoured Ovie Omo-Agege as their saviour.

    Senator Omo-Agege is the first governorship candidate to step foot on Iyede-Ame. In 1980, Prof Ambrose Ali came to the banks of the Ase River to commission a poontoon but did not cross over into the local community.

    At Ofagbe, he promised to make the Ofagbe technical college functional. He also promised to pay all outstanding pensions within six months in office as governor, while asking the people to punish Okowa for his misrule of the State by voting APC.

  • Delta: Relative of Okowa strongman, Askia dump PDP for APC (Photos)

    Delta: Relative of Okowa strongman, Askia dump PDP for APC (Photos)

     

    … umbrella has crumbled-Ilolo

    A gale of defections has hit Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta state, as the All Progressives Congress, APC, Campaign train hit critical strongholds of the party.

    During the week, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s Former Commissioner for Urban Renewal, Dr. Karo Ilolo, and two time chairman of Ethiope East LGA, Chief Mrs Faith Majemite, dumped the PDP and declared for APC.

    Speaking on Friday during the APC ward to ward campaign at Uzere, the hometown of Okowa strongman, Bashorun Askia Ogieh, Ilolo said “the PDP umbrella is torn. We are totally committed to the cause of the APC, and we shall win”

    Bashorun Askia is the Managing Director of Delta Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, which is considered as Governor Okowa’s financial war chest for the prosecution of the 2023 election.

    Also at Uzere, Majemite dismissed the PDP as a party of “thieves.” She said that in seven and a half years, PDP under Governor Okowa, has received N4.2 trillion, but the state is still undeveloped and dirt poor.

    “They are all thieves. If PDP comes here to campaign, ask them, where’s our money? Until they answer your question, don’t listen to them,” she said.

    Mr. Goodluck Obrogor, the only brother of Bashorun Askia, was the cynosure of all eyes, when he led 177 defectors to denounce the PDP and pledge loyalty to APC.

    In his defection speech, Mr. Obrogor said the Uzere people are in the throes of oppression and intimidation and pleaded with Deputy Senate President, and Delta State governorship candidate of the APC, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, to help them.

    “Obarisi, please see this place as your own home and come and set us free from the shackles of slavery imposed on us by the PDP,” he said.

    Others who decamped were James Miller, former Personal Assistant to the majority leader of the Delta State House of Assembly; Olotu Ode, Uzere community youth leader; Fred Uye, Edafe Agbaka, and other members of the Uzere youth movement.

    Others included Okpokoro Precious, Azinoh Urieh, Adaka Frank, Ewomazino Ojabekie, Obi Endurance, Endurance Oluku and Ezekiel Urete.

    James Igbi, the former Deputy governorship candidate of the ADC, led a cross section of party leaders and elders in Uzere to decamp to the APC.

    In Aviara, former members of the PDP led by Ureghe John-Mark, an Aviara ward executive member, tore PDP cards and also decamped to the APC.

    Speaking, John-Mark said Aviara people have been used and dumped, and that they are fed up with PDP and have decided to pitch tent with APC.

    Reacting to the gale of defections, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege said by the sincere decision of former leaders and supporters of PDP to dump the party and embrace APC, Bahorun Askia and Okowa have passed judgement on themselves.

    “They should know that the time of politics of intimidation is over. They know me and I know them. I can’t be intimidated.”

    He lamented that Uzere, the second place after Oloibiri where oil was discovered in Nigeria still looks decrepit after over N4.3 trillion oil revenues generated from Uzere and other oil producing communities in Delta, accrued to the state.

    “Is this Uzere, the oil rich producing community? Did you offend Okowa? How could Askia be so comfortable with making Uzere people Internally Displaced Persons during floods? With the resources from Uzere you are not supposed to have problems with flooding. Instead of Askia to use his office to help his people he chose to intimidate them.

    “Uzere does not look like an oil producing Community. By God’s grace, when I become governor I will consult with illustrious indigenes to ask them what the incoming government should do for Uzere.”

    At Aviara, he told the people that that Okowa is deceiving himself, but he will not be vice president. Our next president, he said, is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and our Vice President will be Senator Kassim Shettima, both of the APC.

    He urged the people of Aviara to come out on election day, stare down PDP and Okowa and vote all APC candidates. He assured supporters of adequate security on election day, and urged them not to fear intimidation by the opposition.

    At the palace of the traditional ruler of Aviara, HRH, Efadue Imo, Ebobo 1, the Ovie of Aviara, he assured that he would ensure that Aviara community is fully linked to the national grid. He also promised to consult with the traditional ruler to address other challenges of the community.

    The defectors were received by the Delta State APC Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, who described the younger brother of Chief Askia Ogieh as the biblical Jacobian twin that has seen the light and prayed that Uzere never experience bad leadership and darkness again.

  • 2023: Deodorize yourself of allegations of floating a bank with govt funds-Omo-Agege tells Okowa(Photos)

    2023: Deodorize yourself of allegations of floating a bank with govt funds-Omo-Agege tells Okowa(Photos)

    Deputy President of Senate and Governorship candidate of the APC in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has asked the governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Deodorise himself of widespread allegations that he may have diverted N25 billion from the over N4.2 trillion which accrued to the State in the past seven and a half years to float a bank.

    Senator Omo-Agege threw the challenge while addressing a mammoth crowd of party supporters at the campaign rallies in Isoko land, Friday, January 6.

    He also made a clarification on issue of loans obtained by the Okowa administration, saying he would honour legitimate commitments made by the administration but would not be obligated to repay loans obtained in the twilight of the Okowa government.

    “While we are not happy that the State is over borrowed, we will be obliged to honour and service any loan taken by the Okowa government before now and which followed due process.

    “But any further loan, including the said N40 billion loan being sought by Governor Okowa four months to the end of his government is not acceptable, and any bank that gives such loan does so at its own risk.”

    Speaking in Ozoro, Isoko North LGA, he described as laughable, the mantra of PDP hoping to rescue Nigeria whereas, it’s vice presidential candidate and governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa failed to rescue Delta State.

    “After they destroyed Delta State, carried away our money, and after members of the House of Assembly and their Speaker could not look Okowa in the face and ask questions, they are coming to say they want to rescue Nigeria.”

    He assured families of the five gallant members of APC who lost their lives in a boat accident that their sacrifices will not be in vain.

    Earlier on, the State party Chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie after observing the level of poor infrastructure development across Isokoland said, “Okowa is a very wicked man and such people should never be allowed to be vice president.”

    He handed the party flags to Joel Onowakpo Thomas, Dr Sylvester Onoyona and Dr Michael Enaharo for Senate, Isoko federal House of Reps and Isoko North House of Assembly seats respectively.

    Speaking, Onowakpo-Thomas said Isoko people are tired of the PDP and need to change the narrative, adding that the APC is positioned to win the 2023 elections and urged the people to vote all candidates of the APC.

    On his part, Dr Onoyona lamented that for the past 24 years PDP couldn’t complete the Ughelli/Asaba Road running through Isokoland and therefore called on the Isoko people to reject the PDP at the polls.

    Former PDP chieftains including Hon Karo Ilolo, Hon Chief Mrs Faith Majemite and Chief Mrs Eunice Okoh who earlier dumped the party were present at the Isoko rallies. Chief Majemite personally described the PDP as “a useless party, a party of obituary, where they starve people to death, set up committees to bury them, and steal the committee money.”

    Ozoro born APC chieftain, Omoviro William, aka Kingibe, described Governor Okowa as a man God blessed but who decided to leave the way of God, “so we are not ready to vote for him and his PDP.”

    Meanwhile, in Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South LGA, pensioners who have remained unpaid by the Governor Okowa administration, stormed the APC rally to demand justice.

    Led by Mrs. Patience Akpobome, they demanded that Okowa must pay them just entitlements, having devoted their lives to the service of the state.

    Mrs Akpobome specifically pointed out that she retired since 2015, but has not been paid. “Okowa is a very wicked man and APC must make sure he goes to jail,” she told the crowd.

    Speaking earlier, Isoko South House of Assembly candidate, Ese Blessing Oghogho, and other Isoko leaders, urged the people to canvass and mobilize votes for the APC.

  • Omo-Agege meets Buhari, says Delta very ripe for taking

    Omo-Agege meets Buhari, says Delta very ripe for taking

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, Thursday, dismissed the notion of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) firm grip on the state.

    He told journalists after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja that “Delta is very ripe for the taking” adding that it was a misconception to tag Delta, a PDP state.

    “That is a very serious misconception to tag Delta State, a PDP state. Delta is very ripe for the taking.

    ”We’re determined to achieve this; we’ve been going round each local government, ward by ward, making the case; drawing the attention of the people of the state to the mis-governance and lack of performance on the part of not just Okowa but the PDP led administration in the past 14 years.

    “The message to people is resonating; we’ve been able to make the case to them that Delta State is supposedly a very, very rich state.

    “And indeed a very rich state given the contributions that we (APC government) have made, not only to the economy of this country, but also to the economy of the state.

    ”This is because of the receipts we have gotten from federal allocation, inclusive of a 13 per cent derivation and other resources that come to the state by way of Internally Generated Revenue,’’ he said.

    The governorship candidate said that the APC’s reckoning since the Okowa administration came into office, Delta State had received close to about N4.2 trillion.

    “And this came, like I said, by way of federal allocation. It came by way of 13 per cent derivation, and also about N400 billion that the state has borrowed.’’

    He, however, alleged that the incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, had nothing to show for the N4.2 trillion earned by the state in the last seven and half years.

    The Deputy Senate President said that he was in the Villa to confer with the President on national issues.

    According to Omo-Agege, Okowa’s administration has yet to settle gratuities and pensions of workers for up to nine years and has yet to commence payment of the N30,000 minimum wage despite the financial status of the state.

    He alleged that in spite of being a medical doctor, the health sector in Delta took a nosedive under the Okowa’s administration.

    Omo-Agege also accused the Delta governor of betraying his counterparts in the South by accepting to be a running mate to the PDP Presidential candidate in spite of agreement that the presidency should shift to the South, after the eight-year tenure of President Buhari, a northerner.

    He said: “It is the position of Deltans and most especially, indeed the entire southern Nigeria, that given the fact that we have supported Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari, for the past eight years, it’s only fair, just and equitable that the next President should come from southern Nigeria.

    ”And it may also interest you that Okowa as the Chairman of the Governors Forum in South-South was one of those who led this charge, and met in Asaba, where the case was made.

    ”So to the chagrin and disappointment of many at home, Okowa betrayed that cause by selling away our right to the presidency, and instead going for office of a Vice President at a time when the entire country is offering us the presidency.

    ”So our people are not taking this treachery kindly and determined that they will punish Okowa.”

    The Deputy Senate President, who insisted that his chance of winning the governorship election was bright, assured that he would address the challenges of unemployment, insecurity and infrastructure decay in the state on assumption of office.

    He also said he would make the business environment attractive to investors to return to the state in order to create employment for the people.

  • Alleged fresh N40bn loan: Lend Delta govt more money at your own peril – Omo-Agege warns banks

    Alleged fresh N40bn loan: Lend Delta govt more money at your own peril – Omo-Agege warns banks

    Deputy President of Senate and Gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has warned that any bank, lending institution or credit union which lends or advances money to the government of Delta state, four months to the end of its tenure, does so at it’s own risk.

    This warning was contained in a statement he personally approved on behalf of the teeming supporters of APC and the generality of the people of Delta State.

    According to Senator Omo-Agege, it has come to the knowledge of the All Progressive Congress, APC, and the general public that the government of Delta state is yet again negotiating a loan facility for N40 billion (forty billion naira).

    “It is our understanding that the need for such a facility has not been made public, neither has the purpose for which the credit is being sought.

    “It is also to our knowledge that a bill seeking the approval for such a facility has not been presented before the House of Assembly and neither has approval been obtained.

    “Now therefore be it known to all banks, lending institutions, credit agencies etc that any facility, loan, credit, advancement or borrowing by any other name known, made or advanced to the government of Delta state in the course of the remaining tenure of the present administration will not be acceptable to the people of Delta state.

    “The next administration and the citizens of Delta state will not be further encumbered by the rascality and profligacy of the present government.

    “We state unequivocally that the state is over borrowed and the citizens will not accept the encumbrance and obligations of further borrowing.

    “Any bank, lending institution, credit institution etc which lends or advances money to the government of Delta state at this time, does so at its own risk. Please be warned,” the statement said.

  • Delta 2023: I will continue to stand with Deltans to battle poor leadership -Omo-Agege

    Delta 2023: I will continue to stand with Deltans to battle poor leadership -Omo-Agege

    Deputy President of the Senate and Delta APC Governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has told Deltans that he will continue to stand with them in the struggle for liberation from bad leadership.

    He also restated his pledge to deliver, when elected, result-oriented governance, achieve a modern, forward looking economy and build a robust Delta State that is fair to all.

    In his New Year Message to Deltans , he committed to building a state that would renew the self confidence and pride of her citizens, and be governor of a new Delta where citizens from all senatorial districts are treated fairly and equitably.

    He said his desire to run for the Governorship of Delta State is not about himself but about the future of the citizens of the State; a future, which according to him, seems to have been knocked off its trajectory by bad governance.

    Running for the governorship “is about the desire to transform Delta into a modern, well-governed and economically stable State. It is not about APC and PDP. This is a race about competence, character and courage. These qualities are needed in the next governor of Delta State and my track record for the past seven and a half years speaks to these qualities.”

    His words:”The State has not been lucky in the electoral choices we have made since 2007. Those choices have brought about retrogression and backwardness, resulted in the plunder of our resources, and impacted negatively on the lives of our people. Our resources have been pillaged by persons we elected to superintend over our affairs as a people… I recognize that there is a lot of work to be done and I cannot achieve any of these without your cooperation and support, therefore, I invite you all to join me and the APC as we roll up our sleeves to ‘Build A New Delta.’

    “We don’t need anymore of the infamy that has been our lot. We have to get out of this muddle, this ditch, and begin to chart a pathway to sustained growth and development before it is too late.”

    “The 2023 elections present an opportunity and responsibility for Deltans to take back their State from the hands and control of people who wasted the State’s resources and betrayed her people.

    “They frittered away our collective patrimony and slowed down our progress. It has never been known that a government will receive money on behalf of the State and spend the money without informing the people. This disregard for the citizens, and an uncommon and unremitted brigandage, has become the norm in Delta State, especially in the past seven and a half years.

    “As we move into a very important year in our lives, the 2023 election year, let us reflect on how to liberate and salvage our dear State, because power belongs to the people. Let us pay more attention to those things that truly unite us and eschew divisive tendencies. Let us pay attention to the issues that will bring about the needed development of the State and not those that bring us down. Let us show understanding towards one another and conduct ourselves in a manner that will set us on a path of true progress.”

    Senator Omo-Agege said Delta State must create jobs and opportunities as well as modern infrastructure for its people: better roads, better schools, better hospitals and improved security, as encapsulated in the EDGE Agenda of Employment and Empowerment, Development, Good Governance, and Enduring Peace and Security. This way, he explained, the state can return to its once pre-eminent position among progressive States of Nigeria.

    “And as we celebrate, I also want to empathise with fellow citizens and residents of our dear State whose patience and forbearance have kept our State peaceful even in the face of undue hardship and deprivation caused by bad governance.

    “I believe we will overcome whatever challenges we currently face collectively as citizens and residents as one proud people and state.

    “In this New Year, all patriotic and proud Deltans must make an individual commitment to vote APC and its candidates across board and contribute to rebuilding our State.

    ” I welcome you all into 2023, and pray that the year presents us all with greater opportunities for excellence and progress. I wish Deltans and all Nigerians a very happy New Year and pledge to continue to do all I can to stand up for, and stand with you!” Omo-Agege said.

  • CHRISTMAS: Omo-Agege, Delta APC urge Deltans, Nigerians to seek peace with all men

    CHRISTMAS: Omo-Agege, Delta APC urge Deltans, Nigerians to seek peace with all men

    Deputy Senate President and Delta All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and the Delta APC Campaign Council, have urged Deltans and Nigerians to, at Christmas, seek peace with all men.

    In a statement by its Director, Communications and Media Strategy, Olorogun Ima Niboro, the council reminded Deltans and Nigerians of the profound spiritual significance of christmas, and called on all to use the occasion to reflect deeply on the life and times, as well as the sacrifice of Christ.

    He said the birth of Jesus Christ symbolized liberty from oppression and despair, and ushered in an era of hope and faith for Christians all over the world. He therefore urged Deltans to key into the joys and benefits of the season.

    “One of the most significant names of Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace, and because of this, we must continually embrace peace with all men. During this festive season, it is important to uphold the banner of peace and love for one another. This is what Christ taught us, when he said of all the commandments, the greatest is love, and that we must love our neighbours as we love ourselves.”

    The campaign spokesman said “no doubt, 2023 is going to be a prosperous year for all Nigerians especially Deltans who are determined to end the misrule of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and replace it with a government of vision and true prosperity that Senator Omo-Agege and the APC represent. “

    He said the APC the governorship candidate is determined to give a new deal to Deltans, and lead from the front in the project to Build a New Delta, BAND, through the Employment and Empowerment, Development, Good Governance, and Enduring Peace and Security, EDGE, Agenda.

    “Senator Omo-Agege and the Campaign Council urge you to participate in the change process that will shake off the shackles of economic oppression and despair imposed on Deltans through misgovernance, suffering and hunger, in the midst of “MORE” loans by the PDP. This Christmas, we must determine to make a difference, and reject “MORE” adversity and socioeconomic woes come 2023.”