Abaide Paul
No doubt, Senator Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa has taken governance to another level in Delta, for non partisan Deltans if another tenure is a possibility, he would have been another preferred choice but governance as stated by the Constitution allows only two terms, but like every other political leader even in advance nations like the USA and Britain, the leader on sit would want his party to continue ruling, if not for anything but for his legacies to be upheld.
Okowa has done tremendously well and achieved a lot in the areas of job creation by engaging over 40,000 youths through his various empowerment programmes, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) glowing endorsement gives both essence and credence to recent statistics on Poverty-Population ratio among states in Nigeria, and the unemployment rate in the country. The statistics of course took cognisance of both the national average and prevailing averages across the 36 states.
On both instances, Delta State recorded appreciable improvement and growth both in terms of number of people rescued from poverty and those saved from the unemployment market. Delta did not only surpass and better the national average on both indices of development, it climbed up the rung in the rank of states especially in the poverty to population ratio.
Also massive road constructions which has earn him the name “road master”, and has translated to economic growth, creation of new environment entirely around education by building schools with qualitative training of teachers to improve the contents.
The opposition parties in the State have also admitted that indeed the man popularly refered to as ‘Ekueme’ has transformed the State beyond all expectations despite the paucity of funds and challenges of the present day governance.
As Okowa’s government is inching closer to exiting the state house, everyone prayer and desire is now who would be the person to continue Governor Ifeanyi Okowa good legacy in 2023, somebody from the party who believes in the ideology of human emancipation through economic growth and infrastructural developments that will bring forth massive industrialization especially agro- based industries that will automatically generate sustainable employment for numerous youths in the State.
Okowa has surfaced expectations with governance having to generate ideas that was translated into completed sustainable projects despite unavailability of funds. The amiable Road master wouldn’t want to give excuses that he was able to achieve a lot in his eight years despite the lack of funds because the heights he has attain now, no governor will have lack of funds as an excuse for non- performance in Delta again.
Ekueme is not only humble, humane and agile, certainly he will need somebody that has the love of the people at heart. One who has the agenda and road map for development and that possesses the administrative acumen, political will and selfless character to implement them.
Amongst all the aspirants that has indicated willingness to succeed Okowa, the only aspirant that fits into the description above is Chief James Augoye
The audacious and Intelligent James Augoye, who presently is the commissioner for work, is the best man for the job. James Augoye and Ifeanyi Okowa have the same background of being on the left side of the divide believing in the emancipation of humanity, fight for and defend same at any point in time.
The humble school teacher participated actively in the success story of Okowa’s administration we all enjoy today, hence he understands the nitty-gritty of politicking in the state..
The home-bred but globally exposed, the Ugbokodo-born politician understands the direct needs and yearnings of the people because he lives with them and has the agenda to meet those needs. The humble James Augoye has the experience and the know how that will bring about economic growth and developments to our dear Delta State.
James Augoye is a prudent and responsible man that believes in fiscal discipline having grown through the ranks as a humble party man and trusted over the years. He is indeed a good people-manager and prudent in resource management.
Augoye also has administrative acumen and political will to implement programs and policies that not only will enhance the standard of living of the people. His performance over the years has continue to assure us of a future more than any other aspirant. His performance as the Hon. Commissioner for work encapsulates the yearnings of the people. His agenda for governance is to move Delta to the next level of success inline with Okowa’s dream for a better Delta.
He has been Okowa’s go to the man in terms of infrastructure and a better Delta hence he needs to facilitate economic growth through investment drive that will lead to establishment of agro-based industries that will create sustainable jobs for the people.
Okowa has also built schools,and once a teacher, hence he needs to build capacity of the teaching and non- teaching staff to improve educational contents and impact knowledge on the students that will equip them for future challenges.
Okowa has built & equipped hospitals, he needs to sustain and improve the health delivery system at all levels.
James Augoye like Okowa, is a party man and believes in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, manifestos, He has program for party developments especially the youths and the women for their self-sustainance and reliability for the growth and progress of the party. Under Augoye as the Governor, the party will be more functional and saddled with more responsibilities.
All of these and many more are contained in his agenda and manifesto. The manifesto shows the agenda of a man that understands the yearnings and timely needs of the people with the reality on ground.
As Deltans who want the best for a better tomorrow, I challenge all of us to check for his plans for the people of Delta as their governor.
I also urge the leaders of the ruling party, PDP, the good people of Delta State to adopt, present and vote for the young, humble, humane, agile, energetic, articulate, intelligent, versatile James Augoye as the next Executive Governor of Delta State as his agenda and manifesto shows a man that is genuinely ready to sacrifice and passionately build on Okowa’s legacies for the good of the people and betterment of our beloved Delta State.