Henry Oghenevwogaga Tietie is the national president of Delta Mega Forum. In this interview with Sam Akadoro Special Correspondent, Sapele, he speaks on how the organisation is mobilising grassroots support for credible candidates across the parties in the forthcoming elections in Delta State. He also speaks on the ambition of Governor Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan to go to from the State. He predicts that the Boko Haram insurgency in the country will soon be a thing of the past. Excerpts:
As the national leader of the Delta Mega Forum, how do you view Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s ambition to go to the Senate?
I am indeed in support of Governor Uduaghan’s declaration to contest for Senate come 2015 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the Delta South Senatorial District. He recently made it known to his people that he is contesting for the Senate so that he can further serve his people.
Now that the Governor is going into the Senate, should Delta people support him?
Uduaghan, as a Governor for the eight years, has done more than enough for Deltans. He has tried his very best for the people especially in the area of health, transportation, construction of roads, education, infrastructure development, peace and security, employment, improved welfare of workers, etc. I believe he should be given kudos for what he has done so far. We pray that God should guide him because as he is going into the Senate, he will do more. He already has experience in governance. Since he has that experience, he can go to the National Assembly to do something good for his people.
Recently, Delta Mega Forum was inaugurated, what is the reason for the formation of this body?
Delta Mega Forum are people of like minds, who are working towards a better society. Delta Mega Forum members are building bridges of unity across the political and socio-cultural divides of Delta State. Delta State is blessed with a lot of human and natural resources, which must be harnessed for the good of the common man in the state. Delta Mega Forum is committed to good governance and tenets of democracy and will partner with the government in ensuring that resources are properly channelled and utilised for the good of the masses. Democracy means government of the people and Delta Mega Forum will mobilise grassroots support for viable candidates during elections by showcasing the credentials of good candidates. This no doubt that will close the gap between the government and when such candidates and party eventually emerge winners. Delta Mega Forum has great men and women of integrity, technocrats, business tycoons, politicians, civil servants and other experts of high repute, who can help government actualise its policies, programmes and aspirations. We believe in unity, oneness and social economic development of Delta State and Nigeria. Together we will build an enviable, strong, dynamic and united Delta State.
What is the major focus of Delta Mega Forum?
Delta Mega Forum is a social-political pressure group formed in Delta State and inaugurated at Oghara, the administrative headquarters of Ethiope West Local Government Council. We are poised to building bridges of unity across the political and socio-cultural divides in Delta State. We will also establish contacts and relationships with other socio-political groups and relevant stakeholders in the state with a view to promoting a political climate which will enhance healthy and rapid development in the state.
What is the composition of the body; does it include a state chapter, local government areas and ward levels? Delta Mega Forum cuts across the three senatorial districts of Delta State. We mobilise grassroots support of the people across the state for any viable candidate and showcase the credentials of such a candidate.
Do you have any advice for the numerous aspirants canvassing for different positions in the country?
Delta Mega Forum as I said has great men and women of integrity. We have technocrats, we have business tycoons, politicians, civil servants and other experts of high repute in their respective careers, helping government to actualise its policies and programmes. We believe in unity, oneness and social economic development of Delta State. Together we will build an enviable strong, dynamic and united Delta State. I am advising politicians to take things very calm and never to take it as a do-or-die affair. It is only one person that can occupy a particular sit at a time. Our advise is that the losers should support the winners to build a virile, peaceful and developed Delta State.
You see several persons vying for one seat in Delta State, example the Governorship position, is this a healthy development in our nescient democracy?
Democracy is a game of members. The good things in the world, you must struggle for them. Everybody is vying for the governorship position but God has ordained just one person for it. The governorship position in Delta State, I do not think we should do it as a do-or-die affair. There can be just one leader. In a home without a leader, that is no good home. We in Delta Mega Forum believe that anyone that God has ordained to be there, let it be; provided he can lead well. We will help to stabilise the government of whosoever that will be there for the common good of Deltans. We will partner with the government to ensure that resources are evenly distributed. We also use this medium to salute our patron, Hon. Ben Igbakpa, for his concern towards the growth of Delta Mega Forum. We appreciate the effort of Hon. Ben Igbakpa and Mrs. Pat Egere, who are there for us all the time.
How would you describe the activities of Ben Igbakpa in the Transport Ministry so far?
Hon. Igbakpa is a Commissioner in the Ministry of Transport, who has done so well. We thank Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for his appointment also and the opportunity to carry on. If you look at the Transport Ministry in Delta State, you will agree with me that we enjoy transportation more than other states in the country. Hon. Ben Igbakpa has made transportation in Delta State so cheap for the masses who are enjoying just because of Hon. Ben Igbakpa. He is everywhere to make sure the buses are truly for the masses but not_ for individuals. He is working tirelessly in his ministry to ensure those buses are properly organised for all routes in the state for the maximum use of the less privileged as well as the privileged ones in society. We thank God for the strength given to him to operate. We give him kudos for a job well done.
Do you have any confidence in the ability of Hon. Solomon Golley, Ethiope West Council boss to deliver successfully at the end of histenure?
I thank God, he has been sworn in as the Chairman of the council. I believe he will take Ethiope West to the next level. We have confidence in him that those things we want in the local government area will be provided as the grassroots government. He will reach out to nearly everybody in the local government area. All will enjoy his government by given us good roads and others by adding to what Chief James Ibori did in the entire Ethiope West. Ethiope West will enjoy the best under his leadership. By God’s grace, he is taking us to the next highest level of transformation.
Boko Haram insurgents are still troubling this nation; can you_ proffer solutions to this recurring problem?
Boko Haram issue is almost becoming the issue of the past. I believe President Goodluck Jonathan is working tirelessly because nobody is happy about the killings of our brothers and sisters everyday in the Northern parts of the country. Nigeria is one irrespective of where you come from. By the special grace of God by the hand work of Mr. President and prayers of Nigerians, it will soon become a thing of the past.
Elections are around the corner and people are jostling for one position or the other, what is your advice to Nigerians at this critical moment?
The advice to Nigerians who are clamouring to be in different positions, I believe that it should never be a do-or-die battle. They should do the one they can do and leave the rest for God because it is only one man that will be the President at a time. If God has ordained you when it is your time to go, no one can stop you. This is the reason why Delta Mega Forum came into being to build bridges of unity in Delta and Nigeria as a whole.
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