DELTA GUBER 2015: CAN VICTOR OCHEI MAKE IT?

As the race to Unity House, Asaba gathers momentum,indications are that the political pendulum of Delta State governorship race has been tilted towards Delta North Senatorial District or zoned by the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

Incidentally, the Delta North Senatorial District consists of9 local governments of the 25 local government areas in the State. The Local Government areas are: Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East, Ukwuani, Ika North and Ika North-East.
According to our recent findings, over five people have indicated their interest to vie for the Land lordship of the prestigious Unity House, which is the seat of government in the State. These include: Hon. Victor Ochei, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Hon. Obi and Dr. Cairo Ojugo. These are the people vying for the ticket under PDP and from Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.There is a confirmed report that Professor Pat. Utomi who has twice failed as presidential aspirant is also in the guber race.

On further investigation Fresh Angle gathered that most of them were advised by traditional rulers and elders in their area to drop their intention and rally round Hon. Victor Ochei as governorship candidate, with the hope that things will improve because of his qualities as a speaker.
But the fact remains that even if all eligible voters in Delta North cast their votes from Delta Central and Delta South, it will still be difficult for him to win. It is the view of most political pundits that it is advisable for Honourable Ochei to intensify moves that will help him dig deep and get maximum support from both Delta Central and Delta South to enable him get balanced votes that will make his victory overwhelming.


Again it is being argued that no single ethnic group can win the guber race without the cooperation of the others. The Urhobos on their own cannot win it under a free and fair atmosphere without the support of the Itsekiris, Isokos and Ijaws in Delta South and other tribes in Delta North.Aspirants from each of the Senatorial districts need to devise a means to touch each of the senatorial districts before victory can be assured.

Though 2015 is already at the corner and nobody is feeling the impact of the aspirants, little or nothing is known about them at the grassroots. They are only busy moving from palace to palace to seek support from Royal Fathers without reaching out to the people within and outside the state, it is a pity!

If at the end of the election in 2015, a candidate from Delta North emerges, what are the assurance that he will not abandon Delta Central and Delta South completely in terms of infrastructural, transportation, road development and housing. Even now, there is hardly any notable government presence in Warri apart from “questionable” road development. 

The time has come for whosoever is contesting to start doing things to convince Deltans that they will enjoy the dividends of government.
While many have little doubt about the competence of all these aspirants is that none of them have antecedents or have done anything concrete for the people to deserve the total support of Deltans. Then the case would be how feasible is the 2015 guber race in the state? Honourable Victor Ochei current position as speaker might fit the shoe, but will his experience as speaker suffice?

Critics say the State will witness purposeful leadership,since he has never been found wanting in the house. Barrister Ufuoma Ejiro an Urhobo man has a lot to say about his leadership style. He says he will also be able to pursue the politics of integrative administration to oil the delicate machinery of government.  

Honourable Ochei should by now begin to look at the insight in to the operational framework of supervising all the strata of government for optimum result as well as learn how to eradicate all avoidable friction between all ethnic groups. Who knows, Honourable Victor Ochei might be able to develop the state and provide the conducive environment for the different tribes and multi talented people and also put Delta in the front burner.

Culled from Fresh Angle