Delta 2023: Why Olorogun David Edevbie is Most Qualified and Best Preferred

By Anthonia N. Okwuolise

“Governors have to be creative, talk and make decisions in public. They should do things on their own without always the support of others. ” -Jeb Bush.

This quote speaks volume in personality of David Edevbie, the governorship aspirant of people’s Democratic party in Delta state.

Delta youths’ desire for development and good governance is what an erudite financial intelligence administrator, Edevbie, represents: a born leader who is primed to administer the affairs of the Delta state in a progressive manner that will be unprecedented in the annals of the state.

Here is a man of impeccable character who has used his virtues and talents to contribute immensely to the development of the state from the regime of Chief James Ibori to Sen. Okowa’s administration.

He served as Commissioner of Finance in both Ibori and Okowa’s administrations, and then served as Chief of Staff in Okowa’s regime. Not to forget that he also served as the Principal Secretary for the late President Umar Yar’ Adua.

Can any man who has a questionable character be given such an opportunity to serve the state and the nation?

To underscore his competence, pedigree in service and trust they have in him, David Edevbie had been endorsed by so many, and anointed by his people, the Urhobo progressive Union (UPU).

The real task of governance is all about knowledge, competence and capacity to raise resources for the development of the people, and the state. In whatever you do, people are watching and observing. People have been watching and observing Edevbie.

The truth is that Edevbie wide acceptance and endorsement are because he stands out as the best, most experienced and qualified candidate for the job. If you could recall the Commonwealth Development Corporation assignment given to him, he took charge of their development in Malaysia, India, Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong and other Nation across the World.

Edevbie competency, intelligence and proactive disposition to issues made the late President Umaru Musa Ya’adua to appoint him to serve as his Principal Secretary, a position got on account of his proven integrity and versatility in his approach to issues.

In the course of his duties, David as a Principal Secretary, proved to be a man of his people by working out the successful Presidential Amnesty programme which helped to put a stop to militancy and other criminal activities in Niger Delta Region. He promoted education, created a way of training youths on skill acquisition to better their lives.

He went further to restore Nigeria’s oil production output which ensured Nigeria hasn’t collapsed today. He fought for the creation of Niger Delta Ministry Affairs which some of the sons and daughters of Niger Deltans are enjoying presently.

During his declaration for the 2023 Governorship race in Asaba, Edevbie assured Deltans that he has excellent plans to move Delta State from its current position to the next level, based mainly on modernisation and industrialisation.

He identified 24 hours power supply as the live wire of his development agenda, stressing that a constant power supply is a key to industrialisation. He, therefore, disclosed his plan to collaborate with the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, to build a 500 Mega Watts power plant to supply electricity to all parts of Delta State, the surplus of which will be sold to the national grid.

The renowned finance expert and development economist promised to ensure the security of lives and property, a necessary ingredient for attracting local and foreign investments into the State. He said the Okowa Government has tried its best but promised to do more in collaboration with the Federal Government if given the mandate to govern the State. He said, “I know what to do because I worked in Aso Villa, Abuja, as Principal Secretary to former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.”

Edevbie said with the help of the Security Trust Fund, he would be able to strengthen the security architecture of Delta State, including the deployment of drones and CCTV cameras, as is done in other climes. He noted that once adequate security is put in place, the industrial goal of his administration would be guaranteed.

According to Edevbie, “Our manufacturing companies are either moribund or have disappeared, leaving no jobs for the teeming unemployed youths. We will create more jobs and wealth for Deltans. I have been part of the system, so I know what to do. I want to operationalise the Industrial Estates and Parks initiated by the previous administration, including the incumbent Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. I will focus on information technology to run our hospitals, education, offices, and other aspects of the State’s economy.”

On road construction and rehabilitation in Delta State, Olorogun Edevbie congratulated Governor Okowa and the PDP for the outstanding achievements recorded so far. He then promised to implement a master-planned inter-modal transport system that would integrate roads, rail, air, and water transportation, especially given that 50% of our State’s landmass is riverine.

Speaking on social infrastructure, Olorogun Edevbie said education would be a priority on his list, as education is the bedrock of development. “These are why I want to be the Governor of Delta State, not just for the glory of the office but for the much good that I can do for the many. I left Europe, Asia and America, where I was creating development records and came back home to accept the job of Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in 1999 so that I could help my State to solve its teething economic problems. I had turned down appointments such as that of the Secretary to the State Government, as well as refused the offer of running mate to Governor of the State in the past. If I were obsessed with political appointments, I would have accepted such big offers. I am here seeking the office of Governor because I want to serve Deltans better,” Edevbie emphasised.

He also promised public sector reforms to rejig the State’s public sector.
“We need to constitute a government that reflects the demographics of the population of the State. I have, therefore, reserved 25% and 35% of all political appointments for the youths and women, respectively,” he submitted.

Edevbie also spoke on the issue of retirement benefits for pensioners. He said, “It is so sad and disheartening for people to work and retire with no retirement benefits paid to them. How will they cope? Dr Okowa has tried, but there is still a backlog of N75 billion to pay to retirees in Delta State, though not caused by the present Government; but
I will offset it within one year of my being in office as Governor through reliable financial engineering techniques.

The foregoing is why Deltans should give him a chance to demonstrate all what he had promised, because the best leaders are those who understand that their power flow through them, not from them. Deltans need someone who is versed in knowledge, well educated, exposed, inteligent, charismatic, proactive to issues, confident, and a visionary leader who will attract massive development to the state.