Rita Enemuru, Reporting
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, on Thursday, got more than he bargained for as some misguided hoodlums pelted him with plastic bottles while mounting the podium to declare his interest to run for governorhip in Delta State.
Stonix News reporter at the venue witnessed how plastic bottles flung from the mammoth crowd landed in the face of the governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) twice before his bodyguards rose to the occasion and shielded him from further assault.
The incident happened at the open ground of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun (FUPRE), in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state where Omo-Agege made his declaration.
The Obarisi of Urhoboland, however, made his declaration, reeling out his numerous achievements to underscore why he should be voted into power as governor if he eventually emerges as the APC governorhip candidate in the state.
The senator, representing the Delta Central Senatorial District listed his achievements in the last seven years as to include his landmark legislation on petroleum industry reforms, protection of women’s rights, and zero tolerance for sexual harassment in academic institutions since he was elected in 2015.
“When I received your electoral mandate in 2015 to serve as your Senator, I asked God Almighty for the wisdom, strength and courage to work diligently to promote our people’s collective greatness in this great Republic. Four years later in 2019, you honoured me again by re-electing me with another clear mandate to build enduring bonds of friendship for a better country. It gladdens my heart that daily, our people testify that we are keeping our promises with candour.
“We have delivered landmark legislations, including electoral reforms, constitutional amendments, petroleum industry reforms, protection of women’s rights, and zero tolerance for sexual harassment in academic institutions.
“We have also given intense focus to our people’s infrastructural needs, and the endless list of gains in this regard include some to be delivered before the end of our mandate in 2023. Some are:
“The Act establishing this great institution – Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE); the Federal Polytechnic Orogun; numerous infrastructure projects, including many outside Delta Central.
“Mass provision of solar street lighting in all towns and villages in Delta Central to mitigate the challenge of insecurity at nights and restore night life in our communities; mass installation of new electricity transformers and replacement of obsolete ones across our State; mass renovation and furnishing of schools across our State;
construction of water schemes across our State; additional federal funding for the construction of Amukpe-Eku-Abraka-Agbor road amongst others,” he noted.
According to him, given his sterling achievements at the senate, a new Delta would emerge to rebuild the state, he alleged, has been ruined by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the last 22 years.
“Proud of our historic parliamentary achievements, I believe that we can apply the same model to save our beloved Delta State from its present pervasive ruin and rot that sum up the sustained bad governance, ineptitude, and disorderliness of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in our State.
“We must save ourselves because the PDP does not represent our true character and values. It is time to restore sanity to our political leadership space, and we will do so, no matter what PDP does because this time is different.
“Having reflected and prayed fervently for God’s guidance on the state of our dearly beloved State, I am, like many of our people, convinced that for our greater good and the sake of future generations, it is indefensible to abide in comfort zones while the PDP unrepentantly accelerates the destruction of our State.
“I am also convinced that I can mobilise our great minds from all walks of life to add great value to the governance of the State we love so much.
“We can stop the continuing slide towards existential disaster. We can build a legacy that all our people and future generations would be truly proud of,” he said.
In his welcome address, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, chairman organizing committee, said that the declaration is a premonition of the end of the struggle of Deltans from PDP over the last 22 years and the crowd present is an indication that Omo-Agege will win.
Also speaking at the event, renowned labour unionist, Chief Frank Kokori, said he has witnessed the suffering of Deltans since 1999 and Senator Omo-Agege is the liberator they need to liberate the state.
Other dignitaries present at the colourful event included Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Chief O’tega Emerhor, Chief Tega Edewor, Chief Ayiri Emami, Hon. Francis Waive, Chief Ede Dafinone, Prophet Jones Erue and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, among others.
Highlights of the event were cultural dances, rallies by interest groups, comedies from seasoned comedians, fanfare among others.