Date Published: 07/21/09

2011: Let Uduaghan sustain his policies -Oguma

Olorogun John Oguma

Olorogun John Oguma is a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State. He is also the National Treasurer of Urhobo Consultative Forum (UCF), an association committed to the growth and development of Delta State. He appears to be among several Deltans who have a soft spot for the policies of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and are working very hard to ensure that he continues in office beyond 2011.

In an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, the PDP chieftain says Action Congress has no strength to go to 2011 electoral battle in the state, as the party is already in tatters, while PDP is waxing stronger. Oguma also speaks on the achievements of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, the crisis within the PDP and the Urhobo nation

There is a crisis in the PDP, which the leaders are trying to resolve. How do you think the issue can be resolved and peace restored in the party?

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a large family and whenever you see a large family, there must be some element of conflict. Let me quickly say we don’t have problems in Delta State. The Barrister Peter Nwaoboshi-led PDP is doing very well. He inherited some problems but has addressed them. Last week, the chairman and his deputy met with the leaders in Delta Central. All the eight local government areas in Delta Central were there. There is no crisis in Delta PDP.

What is your assessment of the PDP-led administration in the state in the last two years?

There is peace in Delta. Warri is now restored to its old glory of vibrant life in communal living, good neighbourliness and brotherhood. The governor is organizing the state into a huge investment house capable of creating wealth, generating massive employment and reducing the poverty index. He has built bridges across social and ethnic divides in the state and systematically brought together all the dissenting voices, bruised individuals, disenchanted groups and formed one of the most cohesive networks among the people of Delta state. Both the young and old in the rural areas have benefited immensely from free eye surgeries among others in the free rural healthcare programme of the administration. The healthcare delivery system in Delta State has never had it so good and rosy. Today, the Medical Dialysis Centre at Warri for the treatment of kidney and related ailments is the second largest in Nigeria and one of the best in West Africa. The state’s human capital has been deepened and expanded. Sports have taken a new dimension. What about the construction of an international airport in Asaba? The state has also entered into negotiation to own, upgrade and manage the Osubi airstrip, which will eventually have a status of an international airport in Warri. The Delta State Executive Council approved the Warri-Osubi-Abraka and Ughelli-Asaba dualization projects. There is a well laid-out plan to rejuvenate the ports in Koko, Warri, Burutu and Sapele and consequently instill a fresh verve into the maritime sector of the state. A vast road network comprising dual carriages and expansive lanes is also in the works to connect the port cities with the rest of the state and into arteries of commerce and industry in the neighbouring states. There are streetlights everywhere in the state. Delta State money is not meant for sharing, but for development and that is what the governor is doing.

Many see Governor Uduaghan as a disappointment. What is your reaction to this?

They are disgruntled and frustrated people. I don’t subscribe to that view. Everybody cannot be governor at the same time. Dr. Uduaghan is the governor of Delta State. They must wait for their turn.

But the argument is that he has not performed

He has performed. Look at the infrastructures in the state. He met a lot of ongoing projects, such as Olomu Bridge, Olomu Electricity Project and so many others. These projects have been completed. Look at the beautification of Effurun and Warri, the international Airports and others. Delta State recently recruited five thousand teachers. Uduaghan is committed to the growth and development of the state. He is a God-sent. This is a man who has put all energy and resources at his disposal in the development of the state and what will benefit the people. He has achieved a lot. If you look at road construction projects, he has touched many in the rural areas. The governor is performing, whether you look at the education sector or the economic sector. He is making the people to live well and reap the dividends of democracy. We should encourage him to do more by allowing him to go for the second term so that all what he has been doing now, he will continue. Let him sustain his good policies.

The Urhobo Consultative Forum (UCF) is supposed to be championing Urhobo political interest. Where does the second term of Governor Uduaghan place the Urhobo Nation?

The governor has the interest of Urhobo in mind.

The interest of Delta State is greater than one person. Today, Dr. Uduaghan is in charge of the state and should be given a chance to reposition the state. Nobody should distract him. Urhobo political leaders should see Governor Uduaghan as one of them because he was born and brought up in Urhobo land. He is an Urhobo man with Urhobo blood in him.

Are you saying that the Urhobo Consultative Forum (UCF) is supporting him because he (Governor Uduaghan) will protect Urhobo interest?

Yes! Urhobo land is a senatorial district in Delta State and we have three senatorial districts in Delta State. Governor Uduaghan has the entire Delta State as his constituency. He is protecting the three senatorial districts.

So exactly what are you telling those pushing for an Urhobo man to be governor in 2011?

Governor Uduaghan is one of us and the strategy of Urhobo presenting nine governorship aspirants should be discarded. They should work with Governor Uduaghan. The governor is an Urhobo man; he was born in Mosogar and he grew up in Oghara. These are Urhobo communities. He writes and speaks Urhobo language fluently. He is one of us. I least expect an Urhobo man to disown him.

Why is it difficult for Urhobo leaders in PDP to come together under one umbrella?

If a father has five children, all of them cannot have the same mind! It does not mean they don’t know their father. Those saying we are divided are not serious minded people. The Urhobo nation is one, politically. Anybody or group that has different agenda is on its own. The position of the UCF is to support the present government. Through the UCF, Urhobo will reap the dividends of democracy. We cannot oppose the government of the day. Urhobo cannot afford to be in opposition. The immediate past governor is an Urhobo son and if other tribes had opposed his governorship bid, he could not have succeeded. Urhobo leaders should support who ever is the governor. The issue of an Urhobo man becoming the governor again is quite very expected, but I am saying it is not now. It cannot be 2011.

Is your group not undermining the interest of the Urhobo nation?

It is only blackmailers and disgruntled persons that will say so. You cannot force anybody to join you. We have different people in Urhobo land. The people want development. My clan is not developed and you want me to clap hands and follow you. It is not possible! I am from Olomu and my people want to see the dividends of democracy. In fact, from the First Republic till date, the Urhobo people have always spoken with one voice. Election has never divided us but when it comes to sharing and a man says he wants to take all, we will not allow it.

Why has it been difficult for your group (UCF) to work with the Amori- led Group (UPF)?

The Urhobo people are working with one voice and we must respect and work with our elders. There is no community that is made of youths alone. Apart from UCF, the elders are not recognized anywhere in Urhobo politics. Where are the elders? They have been chased out of politics. We cannot be part of such a group. We must bring our elders into politics.

Some say UCF and UPF cannot come together because of selfishness, greed and inferiority complex. What is your reaction to this?

It is has nothing to do with inferiority complex or selfish interest. It is simply the issue of interest. First, we recognize our fathers, the founding fathers of Urhobo because one day, I will become an elder. I will soon join the elders club and fighting or alienating the elders will not augur well for the development of the Urhobo Nation. Why must I support somebody who wants to remove the elders from politics? You must respect and accommodate the elders.

Are you saying that the Urhobo political elders are in Urhobo Consultative Forum (UCF)?

Of course, yes! We want to make them relevant like Chief Tony Anenih, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma and others.

What about Chief Patrick Bolokor?

It is the same system that chased Chief Patrick Bolokor, Ejoor, Obada and others out. We are talking to Chief Bolokor with a view of bringing him back.

Critics say your group is working to uproot ex-governor James Ibori from the system. What is your reaction to this?

There is nothing like that. Every Urhobo man in PDP is a member of Ibori political family, including Governor Uduaghan. There is no way we can fight Ibori. He remains our leader. Whoever says we are against Ibori must have a selfish and demonic agenda.

How would you describe the relationship between UCF and Urhobo traditional rulers?

It is cordial; we don’t want to ridicule our traditional rulers. We are in touch with them. We don’t have to treat them like children. They are apolitical and we consult them from time to time.

What about the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU)?

Every organization has leadership. If the leadership of UPU deems it fit to invite us, we will be there. If they ask for our contribution, we will respond. If they send us message, we will go. We are waiting for them. I am an Urhobo man and a member of UPU by birth. Once you are an Urhobo man, your membership is automatic. UCF is in support of the creation of Urhobo state because we are suffering in Asaba. We cannot go against UPU. It is not by carrying microphone to say we are supporting UPU, we are supporting Urhobo. Who quarreled with Chief Benjamin Okumagba, as the President- General of UPU in London? Is it UCF members or I? How can you fight somebody outside and come back to say the person is a good man. At a time, Urhobo people in government were urged to boycott UPU activities. I insisted we must recognize UPU. They want to reconcile with UPU. If somebody has problem with UPU and he wants to reconcile with the leadership that is his problem. UCF is only interested in the interest of the Urhobo people.

The Election Petition Tribunal recently upheld Governor Uduaghan’s victory in the 2007 governorship election. Did you at any point entertain fear that Governor Uduaghan would be asked to vacate government house?

I did not entertain fear or panic. Chief Peter Okocha did not participate in the election. He is a new man in politics. The decision of the governorship flag bearer in a state is not within the state alone. The national leadership of the party must be involved. It is beyond money and cars. You must reach out to people. I knew Okocha was not going to go far. He prepared for a case, not election. He should come back to PDP, a place of peace and join hands with Governor Uduaghan to move the state forward. After all, he said he owns a jet in Lagos but there is no place where it can land in his village. Thank God Governor Uduaghan is building an Airport in his village (Ibusa). So he can now bring the jet to Ibusa to the admiration of his father. He should know that there is no vacancy in Government House till 2015. Whether you are a multimillionaire or billionaire, and you are a new member of PDP, you must queue behind until it gets to your turn. You cannot move to the party and hijack it from those who built it.

Do you think PDP can win the 2011 election in the state?

With the governor’s achievements, I don’t think we have any opposition in the state. There is no other party existing in the state apart from PDP