OCHEI AT WADATA PLAZA: MATTERS ARISING

By Nkem Osu

If inanimate objects could speak, perhaps the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, headquarters, Wadata Plaza, located along Michael Okpara Street, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja would have verbally acknowledged Thursday, November 6, as a symbolic day, as Rt Hon (Engr) Victor Ochei, the youngest Fellow of The Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, a law graduate and a Harvard-trained educationist and interestingly a frontline Delta State gubernatorial aspirant submitted his nomination form.

This symbolism finds relevance in the pomp and pageantry which had a tinge of tumultuous symphony on the one hand and the unveiling of an articulately knitted blue print aimed at improving the lives of Deltans, once Rt Hon Ochei mounts the saddle of leadership of the state come 2015.

DELTA: I’M BACK ON MY FEET – OCHEI

Vanguard Report

ERSTWHILE Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly and a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Victor Ochei, in a session with Vanguard’s senior editors ventilates on his recent political experiences, his resurrection and vision for Delta State. Excerpts:
WHY did you describe yourself as Speaker Emeritus?

In the history of Delta State, I remain the only speaker who resigned and it (resignation) was read on the floor of the House. Every other speaker was either impeached or finished his tenure. I remain the only speaker, who resigned voluntarily.

I gave my reasons for resigning and the reasons were accepted. I gave way for a new leadership to emerge having contributed my quota. I feel a bit immodest to say I performed, but those who followed my era would attest to the kind of innovation I brought to the House.

Today, Delta State House of Assembly can rank among the best in the country and can compete with any other legislative house globally.

DELTA GUBER: CLARK LAUDS OCHEI

FORMER Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Ochei’s 2015 governorship aspiration experienced an up thrust when revered elder statesman, Chief E. K. Clark, described him as being eminently qualified for the governorship of the state considering the impressive track record of transformation already established in previous offices Ochei held.

Chief Clark made this statement during Ochei’s consultative visit to his Kiagbodo country home, yesterday.

Clark said the composition of Ochei’s entourage, which comprised all ethnic groups in the state, was an attestation to the fact that Ochei is a detribalised Deltan, adding, “It will take only a person with this outstanding characteristic to bring peace and progress to Delta State.”

He also disclosed that neither he nor any individual can impose any candidate on Deltans, and prayed God to grant Ochei his heart’s desire of governing the state, where corruption, favouritism and imperialism will be eradicated Credit: Vanguard

....More photos after the cut

DELTA 2015: WE’LL NOT FORGET YOU, UPU ASSURES OCHEI

The governorship ambition of Chief Victor Ochei, former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, got a boost when the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, through Chief Joe Omene (JP) gave the assurance that “the group will not forget him Ochei, when the time comes for considering a suitable governorship aspirant.

He made the statement while responding to Ochei’s advocacy for support to his ambition during a consultative visit to the executive officers of UPU, in Mosogar.

Omene said the statement stemmed from Ochei’s impressive address, which portrayed him as a detribalised Deltan who had shown tremendous understanding of the socio-political dynamics of Delta State.

He counselled other aspirants to emulate Ochei whom he described as a unique politician with exemplary track record of encouraging ethnic tolerance as a means of deriving strength from the state’s diversity.

Earlier, Chief Ochei pledged to bring his wealth of experience as a former speaker of the state legislature to bear on governance with the aim of improving on the lives of Deltans, if voted as governor.

He informed the gathering that as a detribalised Deltan, his focal point would be to have a pan-Deltan blueprint to bring about massive transformation in the various sub-sectors of the state.

Source: Vanguard

FORMER CHAIRMAN OF DELTA NORTH PDP SUPPORTS OCHEI’S GUBER AMBITION

ASABA — IMMEDIATE past Vice Chairman (Delta North) of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ogbuefi Eric Anigala, has described Hon. Victor Ochei’s gubernatorial ambition as one that will bring about meaningful transformation in Delta State if voted in.

He made the statement when Hon Ochei paid him a consultative visit in his Obiaruku country home.   According to him,  Ochei’s massive transformation of the Delta State House of Assembly was an indication that given the opportunity, he would replicate his performance as the Chief Executive Officer of Delta State.

“Most times,  I no longer recognize the present Assembly complex because of the massive face-lift given to it,” he said, adding that, “ it is only natural to support his ambition and pray to the Almighty God to assist him in the actualization of his dream of becoming the governor of Delta State come 2015.”

GO AND PRESENT POPULAR CANDIDATES, JONATHAN TELLS PDP GOVS

ABUJA- AHEAD of the November 29 governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP where candidates would emerge for the February, 2015 election, President Goodluck Jonathan has told governors elected on the platform of the party that they must produce for PDP very popular and acceptable candidates that were capable of wining elections.

According to the President, the governors must not hand pick candidates, it must be done through consultation with leaders, elders, stakeholders and party members in the state, just as he stressed that there should be primary election where the people of the state would decide who should be the candidate of the party.

DELTA NORTH GOV ASPIRANTS WON’T FIGHT OVER PARTY’S TICKET —OCHEI

ASABA—PEOPLE’S Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial hopeful in Delta State, Hon. Victor Ochei, has said the conspiracy by people who want Delta North (Anioma) governorship aspirants to fight and fall apart over the party’s ticket will fail.

Ochei while reacting to the insinuations that purported bickering among gubernatorial hopefuls from Delta North senatorial district, may deny Anioma people of governorship in 2015, said, “Before we entered the race, we knew that it is only one person that will finally emerge as governor so it is not true.”

2015: 50,000 S-SOUTH YOUTHS ENDORSE JONATHAN, OCHEI

President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election and the governorship ambition of Mr. Victor Ochei received boost, weekend, during a grand reception where 50,000 youths under the umbrella of the South South Youth Political Struggle, SSYPS, endorsed the duo.

The event, which was initially slated to hold at Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South West Local Government Area, was later shifted to Udu Playground in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.

WHY WE BACK JONATHAN FOR PRESIDENT, OCHEI FOR GOVERNOR

A UNITED Kingdom (UK)-based socio-political pressure group, Umu anioma in Diaspora (UAID), has endorsed the immediate past Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Ochei as a preferred governorship candidate for Delta State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).   

In the same vein, the group also okayed the recent PDP’s endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate for the 2015 election.  

In a statement, Chief Convener of Umu anioma in Diaspora (UAID), Mr. Charles Chukwuedo, stated that UAID unanimously backed Ochei and Jonathan candidacy because of their enviable legacies, as not only true patriots, but as rare achievers.  

OCHEI: I’M NOT AFRAID OF ANOINTED CANDIDATE

Former Delta State House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Victor Ochei is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant. He spoke with reporters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on his ambition, zoning and preparations for primaries.  

What is your position on the zoning of the governorship to Ndokia aresa, Delta North District? 

Delta North is one entity and you cannot excise a part of it and say they cannot run for governor. For whatever reason, why do you want to do that? Why would you say we are zoning to the North, but this part will not benefit from it? Are they from another part of the state? Are they third-class citizens in the senatorial zone where they come from? It doesn’t make sense and I can tell you that Governor Uduaghan will never say that .

CONSULTATION TRAIN BERTH AT DELTA CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT

Rt.Hon Victor Ochei on consultation visit to Chief Ogbetuo PDP Elder and Leader..Delta Central Senatorial District 

PHOTOS: RT.HON VICTOR OCHEI DAZZLES WITH TEAM OCHEI 2015 @PDP ZONAL SENSITIZATION RALLY TODAY

Rt.Hon Victor Ochei dazzles with Team Ochei 2015 at South-South Zonal Sensitization Rally, Benin City Sat 27th Sept 2014. More pic after the cut....

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Join the train now!

OCHEI 2015 ALL THE WAY>>>>>>

Forward ever..... 2015.. 
Who the cap fits.

THE STORY OF MY RESIGNATION AS EX–DELTA HOUSE SPEAKER, BY HON. OCHEI

*’My plan to succeed Uduaghan’

Rt. Hon Victor Onyekachi Ochei, an engineer, hails from Onicha Olona in Aniocha Local Government Area of Delta State. In 2003, he contested for a seat in the Delta State House of Assembly on the platform of the defunct United Nigerian Peoples Party, UNDP, won the election, and subsequently became the Deputy Minority Leader of the House, the position he held till 2006.

He contested for the second time, this time under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, got elected to the Delta House of Assembly and was made the Chairman, House Committee on Education till the end of  the 4th  Assembly.

Again, he contested in April 2011 and was re-elected into the House of Assembly for the third time. This time, he became the Speaker, but later resigned from the position.
Ochei, in this interview, bares his mind on why he wants to be the next governor of Delta, former Governor Ibori, Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta politics, his tenure as Speaker, his resignation, relationship with Chief Edwin  Clark, the economy of Delta, his blueprint for the state, among others.

DELTA 2015: OCHEI ROARS BACK!

Former Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei is set to restart his gubernatorial ambition following a lull in his political activities after his resignation as Speaker.

Hobbled by the political turbulence that led to his resignation as the Speaker of what has been described as the most vibrant legislative house in Nigeria, the affable ex-speaker disappeared from public view for some time.

Prior to his resignation Ochei was seen as the runaway favorite to take over the mantle of leadership from Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. His closeness to Uduaghan and most of the power blocs in the state left his opponents scratching their heads.

Ochei assembled his political associates last week and informed them that he was still very much in the race to succeed Uduaghan. “I am still in the race and God will give us victory.” He told at the meeting.

OCHEI’S RESIGNATION: DELTA NOW A MODEL TO OTHER STATES -UDUAGHAN

Following the peaceful transition of power in the Delta State House of Assembly during the week, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has described the state as a model for others to learn from. This is just as he has pleaded with  aspirants and political actors in the state to continue in the peaceful manner in which they have been conducting their consultations, commending the state’s House of Assembly on the peaceful manner it transited from one speaker to another.

OCHEI RESIGNS AS DELTA SPEAKER

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon (Engr.) Victor Ochei has resigned as the Speaker of the state Legislature, citing his personal resolve to pave way for a new leadership of the house as his reason.

In a letter addressed to the Deputy Speaker of the house, Rt Hon (Barr.) Basil Ganagana, the erstwhile Speaker, stated that he hoped the new leadership will take the state and house to a higher level, having contributed his quota in that regard.

According to him, “I wish to thank all those, numerous and many who made my tour of duty a pleasant affair. To you my esteemed colleagues, I remain grateful for your love and camaraderie we shared while it lasted.”

He prayed that God in His infinite wisdom avails his successor and indeed the house of all human sagacity in the task of accentuating the core ideals of the Legislature as a partner in governance, for a better society.

Rt Hon Ochei was sworn in as the Speaker on June 6, 2011

OCHEI: ME, STOLE N27BN IPP MONEY? NEVER

Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, an engineer by profession, is the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. When DOMINIC ADEWOLE met him in Asaba, he did not only reveal the secret of what made him tick in the House, he also cleared the air on the allegation of N27 billion fraud rocking the oil-rich state’s Independent Power Plant in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area.

Mr. Speaker, how has it been as the number three man in Delta State?

First, I am grateful to God, it’s been peaceful, interesting, and a learning field. Most importantly, it has also been a place where you develop friendship and cordiality and the experience is a wonderful one.

What is the secret of being the longest serving Delta Speaker?

The first thing I consider most important in keeping your seat as a Speaker is to be transparent.     CONTINUE>>>>>

DELTA GUBER: ZONING’LL PROMOTE MEDIOCITY, LAZINESS – OCHEI

As the political calculations for the 2015 Delta State governorship begin, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Victor Ochei, has advised that zoning or ethnicity should be jettisoned in selecting candidates, saying these promote mediocrity and laziness.

He said what should be paramount is the choice of “the best man for the job” and “a man who will take Delta to the next level.”

Ochei, who insisted that “zoning” has always promoted laziness and mediocrity, however stressed that if that is the only option left for a particularly area to have a shot at the plum job, then it should be accepted.

This, according to him, is not because power must shift from one place to the other but because the system allows it to either pacify or give some people a sense of belonging.

Specifically, he said zoning or rotation of power should not be an issue in Delta State, maintaining that the constitution allows anyone who is qualified to run.

DYNAMICS OF DELTA 2015 GUBER ELECTIONS

The 2015 elections may still be more than a year away but in Delta State, some of the gubernatorial hopefuls are already at one another’s throats in what is fast deteriorating into a rat race to Government House.

My projection is that the desperation with which various hopefuls for the governorship are trying to actualise their ambitions may end up framing the elections in crisis, bad blood and most unfortunately, in ethnic hatred.

I am however more interested here in interrogating what is now a clear attempt, on the part of some of these competitors, at ganging up against Engr. Victor Ochei, incumbent Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly. Instructively, while Ochei has already emerged as the frontrunner on account of his stunning achievements as Speaker, the storm of unfair attacks from a multiplicity of directions over a race he has not even officially declared for, can only serve to make Deltans more sympathetic to his person.

WHY I AM INVOLVED IN WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL, BY OCHEI

Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, has said that his compassion for the physically challenged in the society inspired his involvement in wheelchair basketball.

Speaking ahead of the 3rd edition of the competition named after him, the Victor Ochei Wheelchair Basketball tournament which dunks off tomorrow in Lagos, the Delta assembly speaker said the need to harness the ability of those with disability was necessary instead of just allowing them to wallow in self pity.

''I've compassion for the less privileged in our society. Beyond seeing them from the ambit of pity, they have hidden talents that people need to see and appreciate. I admire strength in their character. Like they say, there is ability in disability. These are special people who by no reason of theirs are physically challenged. We need to lend a helping hand and bring out the best in them,” observed Ochei in Lagos at the weekend.

REACHING OUT; HON. VICTOR OCHEI'S RECENT OUTINGS IN ISOKO SOUTH LGA

     Chief (Retd. Gen) Omu President -General, Isoko Development Unionand Rt. Hon. Ochei at Hon. Erijo’s country home in Aviara, Isoko 
     South L.G.A. of Delta State. 
MORE PICS INSIDE:

PHOTOS: RT. HON. VICTOR OCHEI CELEBRATES WITH THE OTU – UMUNWANNE SOCIO C

 MORE PICS INSIDE:

WHY I SUPPORT ZONING IN DELTA – ASAGBA OF ASABA

The Asagba of Asaba, Asagba (Prof.) Chike Edozien, has described zoning as a necessary arrangement to ensure the equitable distribution of developmental dividends and the achievement of a power rotation balance amongst contending ethnic nationalities, even as he added that the advocacy for the actualization of Anioma state was still waxing very strong.

The revered Monarch made these assertions, when he played host to the Anioma Media Network, a Pan-Anioma media association, during a courtesy call to His Royal Majesty on Tuesday, February 4, 2014, in his Palace, in Asaba.

Speaking further, the Asagba noted that he was initially an advocate for fair competition amongst contending interests, which would ultimately produce the best candidate, no matter the ethnic coloration, but had become convinced of the necessity for zoning, since what makes up the Delta state of today was still an amalgamation of ethnic nationalities and there was the need to zone political power to ensure that the development of all the parts was evenly distributed and achieved across the state.

I FORESAW GREAT POTENTIALS IN OCHEI - EX-PRINCIPAL

The African adage which says that “a chick that will become a cock shows early traits of such attainment” came to relevance recently in Asaba, when Rev. Fr Thomas Treacy, the former Principal of St. Thomas’ College Kano, posited that he foresaw great potentials in one of his former students Rt Hon (Engr.) Victor Ochei, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.

The Irish priest who made this observation during an unscheduled visit to the Speaker disclosed, that young Victor Ochei as a student showed great potentials in academic and leadership obligations.

PHOTOS: MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR LATE PA AND MAMA OKAFOR OCHEI

                                      

Recently  Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei welcomed guests to the  memorial thanksgiving service in honor of his Late Parents, Pa Donald Ochei and Mama Juliet Ochei at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Onicha-Olona, Aniocha North Local Government Area Delta state.

The event which had the Executive Governor of Delta state in attendance was conducted by the Bishop of Asaba Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Justus Mogekwu.

Later, Governor Uduaghan cut the tape to the mausoleum built by the Ochei’s in remembrance of their deceased parents. 

 MORE PICS AFTER THE CUT.....

PHOTOS: RT. HON VICTOR OCHEI AT THE 2014 ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY

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2015: DELTA PDP CHAIRMAN BLASTS SSG OVER POWER SHIFT

DELTA State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, yesterday, faulted the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr. Ovuozourie Macaulay, for saying that he was not aware of any agreement between the Anioma and other parts of the state for a power shift.

Nwaoboshi who described the comment as “provocative,” told Vanguard in an interview that he had received several phone calls since the SSG  made the statement, which was published in a national newspaper on Monday.

WELCOME ADDRESS BY RT. HON. VICTOR OCHEI, DTHA SPEAKER AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 66TH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION (CPA) AFRICA REGION HELD IN ASABA

The welcome address by Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, DTHA Speaker at the opening ceremony of the 66th Executive Committee meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region held in Asaba on January 14, 2014 below;

WELCOME ADDRESS BY RT. HON. (ENGR) VICTOR ONYEKACHI OCHEI (FNSE, FIAS) SPEAKER, DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ASABA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 66TH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION (CPA) AFRICA REGION HELD IN ASABA, NIGERIA ON THE 14TH OF JANUARY 2014

Your Excellency,
Dr. Emmanuel E. Uduaghan, (CON)
Governor of Delta State;

Your Excellency,
Prof Amos Ugbe Utuama (SAN)
Deputy Governor of Delta State;

Your  Excellency,
Hon. Lindiwe Maseko, Chairperson of Commonwealth
Parliamentary Association (CPA) Africa Region Executive Committee and Speaker of Gauteng Provincial Legislature;

Your Excellency,
Anne S. Makinda, President of the CPA Africa Region
and Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania;

Your Excellency, Rt. Hon. David Mark
The Senate President,
Federal Republic of Nigeria;

Your Excellencies the Speakers of various Parliaments
and Presiding Officers present;

Distinguished Executive Members of
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association;

Members of the Delta State Executive Council;

Members of the fourth Estate of the realm.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

DELTA 2015: YES, I SUPPORT POWER SHIFT — OCHEI

ENGINEER Victor Ochei is the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly. In this interview, he speaks on issues ranging from power shift, the activities of the State Assembly, especially in relation to the 2014 Appropriation bill. Excerpts:

Recently, the Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, presented the 2014 budget proposals to the Delta State House of Assembly. What will be the factors that will guide your speedy action in this respect?

COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENT COMMENDS DELTA ASSEMBLY FOR EXCELLENT ORGANISATIONAL ABILITY

The Secretariat of the 66th Executive Committee Meeting of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Africa Region has commended the Delta State House of Assembly for its excellent organisation of the ongoing conference in Asaba.

The Assistant Regional Secretary of the body, Mr Demetrius Mgalami made the commendation when Rt. Hon (Engr.) Victor Ochei, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, the host Legislature visited the secretariat to enable him assess the preparations toward a successful hosting.

WHY DTHA WILL GIVE SPEEDY CONSIDERATION TO 2014 APPROPRIATION BILL —OCHEI

THE  Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), Engr. Victor Ochei, recently  fielded questions from The POINTER crew of Monday Uwagwu, Sam Ijeh and Iteveh Ekpokpobe, in which he responded to legion questions, including the House’s activities, especially in relation to the 2014 Appropriation Bill of the state.  His responses to our questions are in paraphrase.

Mr Speaker, recently, the Governor of Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, as the head of the executive arm of the state government, presented a proposal of the 2014 budget proposal to the Delta State House of Assembly. On that occasion, you gave the assurance that it will be speedily completed in terms of consideration. What will be the factors that will guide your speedy action in this respect?

PDP, BEST VEHICLE TO REAPING DEMOCRACY DIVIDENDS – RT HON. VICTOR OCHEI

The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon (Engr) Victor Ochei has described the People’s Democratic Party as the veritable vehicle through which Deltans will reap and savour the dividends of democracy.
He made this landmark statement at Utagba Uno in Ndokwa-West Local Government Area of Delta State, when Hon Azuka Azaka, member representing Ndokwa-West at the Delta State House of Assembly led over ten thousand erstwhile members of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) to the People’s Democratic Party.
In the legislator’s words, “the present Uduaghan administration which came into governance on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, has demonstrated unfathomable commitment to providing the dividends of democracy to the polity, by the faithful implementation of the three point agenda”.