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.
Ochei, who spoke during a chat with newsmen at the weekend said
he is interested in ensuring that the initiative started by the incumbent
governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, particularly the “Delta Beyond Oil” policy
which he described as the best thing to happen to the state is developed and
sustained.
“These are things we need to look at, we shouldn’t be looking at
whether the man is coming from the west or the east because that is not
important.
“Once you have the best man for the job, you don’t remember
where the man is from because the man will ensure there is equitable
distribution of projects, ensure that there is a plan to improve on what you
have and do it well,” he said.
Ochei said he believes in healthy competition in the political
arena because it brings out the best saying “once you are competing, people
tend to put in more efforts.”
According to him, “when you talk about zoning, it has a way of
promoting laziness and mediocrity but that is not to say that if in a
particular area, we see the need to allow for rotation, I don’t call it zoning
but rather rotation so that everybody can be part of it.
“The man who will ensure that ethnicity is not our basis for our
every day drive. The man who will ensure that at the end of the day. there is
peace and quiet in Delta State and there is massive development in the state.”
Ochei said he believes in the economic diversification of the
state, saying “we must develop those diversities to be our source of strength
and the moment we can achieve that I can tell you that Delta State would go
beyond the skies.”.
According to the Speaker, “I believe so much in that and not
about zoning or whatever you call it. Most importantly is to ensure that you
have the right man for the job.”
He declared that it would be too early for him to say if he will
contest in 2015 or not, saying however that he is still consulting and would
only make any pronouncement on his next political ambition after the
consultation.
Ochei said he is touching the lives of ordinary Deltans on the
streets and by way of legislation, promoted bills that would ensure the
socio-economic well being of Deltans.
Culled from The Will
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