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All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta Governorship candidate and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege Thursday unveiled at the APC Campaign Organisation’s office, on Summit Road, Asaba his agenda for the State if elected governor in the 2023 elections.

Called EDGE, the manifesto, which he called a product of profound thought based on his practical experience both in the Executive and Legislative arms of government, Omo-Agege described as unacceptable the records of the Debt Management Office (DMO),that shows Delta State as having the second-highest debt portfolio in the country. He said: “Ours is, therefore, a movement to restore and revive a State that had been misgoverned and rapaciously pillaged by those whom we had
entrusted with leadership.”

He said that the 60-Page Manifesto anchored on the EDGE to Build a New
Delta (BAND). “EDGE covers critical areas of governance that would drive our agenda when elected governor in 2023,” the opposition party governorship candidate said.
Disclosing the full meaning and intention of EDGE Senator Omo-Agege said: “The manifesto is our Vision and Mission; It captures our EDGE Agenda which breaks down as: E for Employment and Empowerment; D for Development (Economic, Infrastructural and Industrial); G for Good Governance, and E for Enduring Peace and Security.

“The EDGE agenda sums up our people’s hopes and aspirations for economic stability, sustainable employment, security, access to modern public infrastructure, solid institutions, and a clean environment. It is strategically organized to make ours a model state and a leading centre of excellence. With EDGE, we bring credibility, efficiency and trust back to governance. It is the ultimate paradigm shift to reform our public service, cut the cost of governance, eliminate waste, and deny corruption and other crimes comfort and safety in our governance architecture. EDGE agenda is our firm promise and its success is non-negotiable.

“Ladies and gentlemen, our vision for a New Delta is driven by the desire to arrest receding hope among Deltans and build a State where the people’s future is brighter than their past. We are aware that our people are seriously worried about the unemployment indices, which are heading skywards as evidenced by the high percentage of our youths roaming the streets for jobs that do not exist, but certainly can be created if we have a government that fosters the right synergy with the private sector to boost employment.

“I will address our scary unemployment rate by giving priority to public investment in agriculture and tech-driven entrepreneurship. My plan as stated in our manifesto will change the commercial ecosystem of the State and create an investment-friendly charter that makes access to funds and infrastructure a natural way of life. Human capital development, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, housing and other labour-intensive interventions will be at the core of our agenda.
“We shall establish a Delta State Employment, Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Programme (DEEP), and facilitate the establishment of cluster industries in each of the twenty-five Local Government Areas of our State. We will deliberately create an enabling environment for industries and manufacturing; establish tech hubs, set up small business loan guarantee schemes, promote skills acquisition and set up a Career Development Centre for Deltans.

“As part of our plans to promote ease of doing business, we will undertake institutional and process reviews, remove red tape and bureaucratic bottlenecks, improve infrastructure, and re-engineer our peace and security strategies while establishing a one-stop repository of business knowledge and information. We will guarantee the rights of women and invest their unique energy to drive social and economic development in the state. We will initiate a youth development programmme that moves them away from the hopelessness of today, connect them to creative endeavours and generate energy for honourable work.

“We will make aggressive investments in modern infrastructure capable of opening up the total economic energies of our people, we will lift the State out of a mono-economic dependency by launching diversification into tech and business incubation. We are deeply committed to the cause of changing the current development path of our State. However, we cannot do it without the support and cooperation of our people.
“Democracy and development thrive on a watchful and active citizenry who should hold us accountable every step of the way,” Omo-Agege declared.

Below is full text of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege’s press conference:

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, DISTINGUISHED SENATOR
OVIE OMO-AGEGE, CFR; DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE AND DELTA STATE APC GOVERNORSHIP
CANDIDATE, AT THE WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE TO
UNVEIL THE CANDIDATE AND MANIFESTO. ASABA,
THURSDAY 17th NOVEMBER, 2022

Gentlemen of the Press,
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen!

Let me begin by, once again, commending the members
of our great Party, the All Progressives Congress – APC,
for finding me worthy to fly the party’s flag for the 2023
governorship election in Delta State.
2. Today, I am formally presenting myself to you as
the Governorship candidate of the APC and also the
bearer of the hopes and aspirations of all Deltans. We
will also be sharing with you our policy document that
will form our plan to band together to build a vibrant,
equitable and prosperous Delta State, based on core
moral values of service, hard work and shared sacrifice,
where everyone has the opportunity to achieve his or her
full potential.
3. Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I entered
this race, because I am deeply dissatisfied with the state
of affairs in Delta State. This event, therefore, marks the
beginning of a historic journey, which I have committed
into the hands of the Almighty God for direction,
strength, guidance and wisdom. It is a journey for the
good of the generality of the people of Delta State.
4. My aspiration is beyond the ordinary quest for
power, rather, it is a movement to liberate, rebuild and
reinvigorate our dear State, which ought to be the
leading light of the Niger Delta region, and indeed,
Nigeria. I am certainly concerned that our dear State has
been left behind on key development indices despite the
huge sums of money that flow into the State from the
Federation Account and 13 percent derivation along with
internally generated revenue by way of the various taxes
and rates that our hard-working people pay. By the
records of the Debt Management Office, Delta State also
has the second-highest debt portfolio in the country. This
is certainly unacceptable. Ours is, therefore, a movement
to restore and revive a State that had been misgoverned
and rapaciously pillaged by those whom we had
entrusted with leadership.
5. Ladies and gentlemen, I am Barrister Ovie Omo-
Agege, the Obarisi of Urhobo land. I am an alumnus of
the Faculty of Law, University of Benin, and Solicitor and
Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria having been
called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986. I am also a Solicitor
and Advocate of the United States Supreme Court having
been admitted to the Bar of the State of California in
1992, where I remain a member in good standing. In
1993, I established the Law Firm of Agege & Esin in
California, in partnership with my dear wife, Barr.
Rosemary Iman Esin, a US-trained attorney. I obtained a
Master of Laws degree with distinction from Tulane
University Law School, New Orleans, USA, in 2002.
6. I joined partisan politics in 2002 and
unsuccessfully aspired to represent my people in the
House of Representatives. In 2003, I was appointed
Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State and in
2005, Commissioner for Special Duties. In 2007, I became
the Secretary to the Delta State Government. Having
served as Commissioner, Secretary to government,
senator, and currently, as Deputy Senate President, I am
privileged to have an extensive understanding of the
issues of governance. It is these experiences I bring to
bear on my plans for Delta State.
7. I have worked with one of the best team of
experts to come up with realistic policies and plans,
which when implemented will get Delta State going in
the right direction again. I believe in setting goals and
coming up with realistic plans and policies to achieve
those goals. Our manifesto is therefore a product of
profound thought based on my practical experience both
in the Executive and Legislative arms of government.
8. Ladies and gentlemen, we have come up with a
60-Page Manifesto anchored on the EDGE to Build a New
Delta (BAND). EDGE covers critical areas of governance
that would drive our agenda when elected governor in
2023.
9. The manifesto is our Vision and Mission; It
captures our EDGE Agenda which breaks down as: E for
Employment and Empowerment; D for Development
(Economic, Infrastructural and Industrial); G for Good
Governance, and E for Enduring Peace and Security.
10. The EDGE agenda sums up our people’s hopes
and aspirations for economic stability, sustainable
employment, security, access to modern public
infrastructure, solid institutions, and a clean
environment. It is strategically organized to make ours a
model state and a leading centre of excellence. With
EDGE, we bring credibility, efficiency and trust back to
governance. It is the ultimate paradigm shift to reform
our public service, cut the cost of governance, eliminate
waste, and deny corruption and other crimes comfort
and safety in our governance architecture. EDGE agenda
is our firm promise and its success is non-negotiable.
11. Ladies and gentlemen, our vision for a New
Delta is driven by the desire to arrest receding hope
among Deltans and build a State where the people’s
future is brighter than their past. We are aware that our
people are seriously worried about the unemployment
indices, which are heading skywards as evidenced by the
high percentage of our youths roaming the streets for
jobs that do not exist, but certainly can be created if we
have a government that fosters the right synergy with
the private sector to boost employment.
12. I will address our scary unemployment rate by
giving priority to public investment in agriculture and
tech-driven entrepreneurship. My plan as stated in our
manifesto will change the commercial ecosystem of the
State and create an investment-friendly charter that
makes access to funds and infrastructure a natural way
of life. Human capital development, agriculture, tourism,
infrastructure, housing and other labour-intensive
interventions will be at the core of our agenda.
13. We shall establish a Delta State Employment,
Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Programme (DEEP),
and facilitate the establishment of cluster industries in
each of the twenty-five Local Government Areas of our
State. We will deliberately create an enabling
environment for industries and manufacturing; establish
tech hubs, set up small business loan guarantee
schemes, promote skills acquisition and set up a Career
Development Centre for Deltans.
14. As part of our plans to promote ease of doing
business, we will undertake institutional and process
reviews, remove red tape and bureaucratic bottlenecks,
improve infrastructure, and re-engineer our peace and
security strategies while establishing a one-stop
repository of business knowledge and information. We
will guarantee the rights of women and invest their
unique energy to drive social and economic development
in the state. We will initiate a youth development
program that moves them away from the hopelessness
of today, connect them to creative endeavours and
generate energy for honourable work.
15. We will make aggressive investments in modern
infrastructure capable of opening up the total economic
energies of our people, we will lift the State out of a
mono-economic dependency by launching diversification
into tech and business incubation. We are deeply
committed to the cause of changing the current
development path of our State. However, we cannot do
it without the support and cooperation of our people.
Democracy and development thrive on a watchful and
active citizenry who should hold us accountable every
step of the way.
16. Ladies and Gentlemen, let me emphasize that
we are not in this journey for ourselves but to assist in
charting a new direction for our dear State and its
people. This is a call to service and we solemnly pledge to
run an open and inclusive government that consults and
puts the people first all the time.
18. Never in history have we faced such difficult
times in our state. Beyond politics and political party
affiliation, we all know that with the enormous resources
and competence of Deltans all over the world, our state
is not where it ought to be. Under the PDP, and
especially in the last seven years, the problems of Delta
State have been squarely rooted in bad leadership,
misplaced priorities, pervasive incompetence, and even
corruption. The offer of PDP in the 2023 gubernatorial
elections in the person of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis
Oborevwori is a bad one for Delta State, because it
exemplifies incompetence, bad judgement and
everything that went wrong in the past seven years.
19. Delta State deserves better. We must reject
leaders who will not be independent of Dr. Ifeanyi
Okowa and the cabal that brought us to this sorry pass.
For Deltans to get out of these problems and return to a
path of economic prosperity, there must be change that
offers progress beyond mere promises. With my record
of public service, my candidacy represents and offers
that change.
20. If you make an objective assessment of every
village, town, city, and local government area in Delta
State, including the riverine areas, you will come to the
sad conclusion that the state is lagging behind in every
index of socio-economic development and economic
prosperity. Okowa’s government alone has swallowed up
well over N2.8 trillion in seven years. We are all Deltans
here. Do you see anything on ground that is
commensurate with that receipt?
21. There is poverty and profound infrastructural
dilapidation from Asaba to Warri and environs, Ughelli to
Udu, Sapele to Effurun, Koko to Oghara, Agbor to
Ukwani, Ndokwa to Abraka, and other areas of the State.
The PDP government has abandoned the riverine areas
of the State to their own devices. When compared to
other states in the Niger Delta with similar FAAC and IGR
revenues, Delta is beset by poor or non existent
infrastructure. Even the few projects that exist are poorly
executed. The net effect is that the state looks like a
giant junkyard. Most of the roads and structures
purportedly executed by the Okowa government in the
last seven years have failed and, in many instances,
outrightly collapsed.
22. Many such failed projects that litter the State
are being recycled and re-awarded to cronies without a
visionary and credible plan for sustainable infrastructural
development. Recent examples include the back to back
collapse and fire in sections of the Stephen Keshi
stadium, Asaba, that for the grace of God, could have
killed several Deltans; the dilapidated and failing Effurun
roundabout flyover, the derelict Warri township stadium
and scores of road projects across the State, just to
mention but a few.
23. Gentlemen of the Press, while other States in
the Niger Delta and elsewhere are celebrating shiny
milestones in infrastructural development, human
capacity development, healthcare, education,
sustainable economic development, good governance,
and improved institutions, the people of Delta State are
shell-shocked; benumbed by the sheer audacity of
Okowa and his co-travellers as they daily bring the state
to its knees. Even sadder is fact that the governor has
been going around borrowing with reckless abandon,
making the State one of the most indebted in Nigeria

even with its monumental FAAC allocation and 13%
derivation revenue as an oil producing State.
24. Today, there are strong reasons to believe that
monies meant for the development of Delta State are
now being channeled to fund the ill fated ambition of
Governor Okowa to become Vice-President of Nigeria in
2023 by every means. Just go around the State. The
poverty and frustration inflicted by this government on
Deltans over the years are palpable and scary. Insecurity,
low quality projects, lack of vision to revive the economy
of the State, misplaced priorities in governance,
corruption, nepotism, government waste, incompetence,
and lack of accountability are pervasive and profound.
25. The PDP government has no clear ideas to
create programs and promote policies that support
innovation and entrepreneurship. Our working class, our
women, and youths are cast adrift without as much as
even a paddle. And in the 21st century, life remains
nasty, brutish and short for many Deltans.
26. We surely can do better than our label as the
“Keke” capital of Nigeria because of what this
government has done, and even more, failed to do. The
new slogan today is “see Delta and cry”-from Delta North
to South and Central, tears come to your eyes. We have
now come to that time in the history of Delta State,
when all Deltans must rise in one accord and boldly
declare that enough is enough by voting for the APC.
27. The handpicked PDP candidate Rt. Hon. Sheriff
Francis Oborevwori is a mere clone of Okowa, because
like his master, his middle name is incompetence. By his
background, or the lack thereof; and public record, or the
lack thereof, the PDP candidate would be a human
disaster in Government House. His nomination,
championed by an inept and corrupt PDP administration,
is an insult to the sensibilities of Deltans. Delta State
should not leave its destiny in the hands of a man who
has no mind of his own and will continue to be Okowa’s
stooge even as governor.
28. Our main opponent would represent a third
term for a failed governor who ran out of ideas to
develop the State. We call on all Deltans and men of
goodwill to reject this imposition by Governor Okowa.
Delta State belongs to all Deltans, and we must all join
hands to take it back.
29. To kick start the real development of the State,
our administration will focus on massive industrialization
through agricultural and integrated rural development,
facilitating the establishment of food processing
industries, industrial estates, transportation, including
land, air, sea, and marine; promote free and compulsory
basic education, free primary health care, development
and expansion of educational opportunities for Deltans
from primary to tertiary level, urban renewal and
regeneration that will focus primarily on cities like Asaba,
Warri, Ughelli, Sapele, Agbor, Kwale and the riverine
areas of the State, including Burutu, Oleh, Ozoro and
others. Our government will promote innovation by
investing in information and communication technology
as a way of modernizing and simplifying government
operations.
30. We shall develop and strengthen existing
government institutions to promote effective, open, and
transparent governance where every Deltan can
participate and hold their leaders accountable, reform
local government administration to bring government
and political participation closer to the people, reduce
the cost of governance and redeploy resources to
development programs, reform and modernize the
legislature, judiciary, and other government institutions
and bring them in line with international best practices.
31. Under our government, the era of judges and
other relevant government officials having to take
records manually will be a thing of the past. Our
administration will invest in the appropriate ICT
infrastructure to safeguard and modernize government
operations and expand access to internet services.
Government officials at all levels will be mandated to
utilize electronic means of communication in carrying out
government business.
32. Ladies and gentlemen, the cumulative effect of
these social economic reforms, will reduce the real cost
of governance and make it easier for Deltans to access
programs and contribute to policy formulation directly or
through their elected representatives. We pledge that
our government will be transparent, accountable, and
ethical. It will not be business as usual.
33. This failed PDP government has no solid plan to
address the insecurity situation in the State. If elected,
our government will tackle the challenges of insecurity
from day one. Our administration will create a security
trust fund, facilitate, and equip community policing for
every ward, village, and town in Delta State. We will
create a system to build security awareness and
confidence in our communities for intelligence gathering
and sharing at various levels. There will be a revitalized
and strengthened State Security Council that will assist in
the coordination of law and order. To ensure security in
our communities, our government will partner with
traditional institutions and community-based youth
organizations to ensure and promote communal conflict
resolution. We believe that the development we desire
for Delta State can only take place when there is peace
and enduring security.
34. Delta State and our government will benefit
more if we also elect an APC federal government. An APC
led federal government will partner better with an APC
government in Delta State. Our plans to revive the ports
in Warri, Koko and Burutu to boost the economic
transformation of Delta State will be better enhanced by
an APC led federal government. We will be able to
attract other federal projects and influence policies
favourable to Delta State in an APC led federal
government with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as
Commander-in-Chief. Therefore, we call on all Deltans to
vote massively for Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, as well as all other APC
candidates across board.
35. Fellow Deltans, ladies and gentlemen, our goal
is to build a vibrant, well governed, equitable, and
prosperous Delta State that puts our people first. Deltans
deserve better. Enough is enough!
36. Thank you for your time and kind attention. May
God bless us all! May God bless Delta State!!
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!

HE Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (CFR)
The Obarisi of Urhoboland
Deputy President of the Senate and Delta State APC
Governorship
Candidate.

17th November, 2022