Chief Godwill Obielum is a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State and one of the gubernatorial hopefuls ahead of the 2015 election. In this interview, Obielum says that Deltans deserve to celebrate the creation of the state. Excerpts:
We are aware that you are contesting for the Governorship position of the state, what different thing will you be bringing on board?Deltans are celebrating 23 years of the creation of the state. How would you assess the state?
As a Deltan, I am proud, I am very happy that Delta State was created in 1991. Governance is closer to the people and I can confidently tell you that Deltans deserve to celebrate. The people are more united and you can see a lot of development in the state. We say thank you to the successive governments, and our current governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, they have all done a lot to see that the state is developed to the stage she is today.
In life, there is always room for improvement. In 1991, nobody thought about the possibility of Asaba having an airport, today, there is an airport in Asaba. So, new socio-economic and political challenges come up and it is the duty of government tackle such challenges. No one government in eight years can solve all the issues in one stretch, but the continuity of successive governments will go a long way to taking the state to a greater height.
If it is true that you are contesting, why are your posters not visible?
Is there a stipulated time period to bring out posters and bill boards?
Is there a stipulated time period to bring out posters and bill boards?
But we have seen other aspirants throw their hats into the ring.
Well posters and bill boards are not the issue, you will see mine at the appropriate time. It’s not the one that comes to the wrestling arena first that is the best wrestler
What is your take on the zoning of political offices?
The agitation for the zoning of political offices is looked at from the point that Nigerian politics is still young and for a section of the country not to hold on to power to the detriment of others. Even in the village set-up traditional and political positions are fairly zoned among various quarters. In Delta State, we should see ourselves as one large and united family. What is good for the goose should also be good for the gander. It will bring about peace and oneness.
Coming back to the anniversary of the creation of Delta State, would you say that Governor Uduaghan has delivered on his electoral promises?
The indices are there, Delta is peaceful, with the three point agenda: human capital development, peace and security and infrastructure development. They are well thought out programmes and the government is still working.
The indices are there, Delta is peaceful, with the three point agenda: human capital development, peace and security and infrastructure development. They are well thought out programmes and the government is still working.
Do you believe INEC can conduct a credible election in 2015 because there are fears in some quarters over the commission’s inability to improve?
Do we have another electoral umpire? So far, the INEC has proven that it can conduct an election that its outcome will be generally acceptable. We just collected our voters’ cards, we should have faith in INEC and if there are areas you believe they should improve on, let them know before the elections. There is always room for improvement.
Do we have another electoral umpire? So far, the INEC has proven that it can conduct an election that its outcome will be generally acceptable. We just collected our voters’ cards, we should have faith in INEC and if there are areas you believe they should improve on, let them know before the elections. There is always room for improvement.
What is your advice for Deltans?
We should be progressive in our thinking and do all that we can for the government of the day to succeed.
We should be progressive in our thinking and do all that we can for the government of the day to succeed.
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