Frontline, popular and most acceptable governorship aspirant in Delta State, Sir Tony Obuh, has strengthened his zeal to contest in the 2015 governorship election by collecting the expression of interest and nomination forms at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat, Wadata House Abuja on Friday, October 17, 2014.
Presenting the form to Obuh, the National Organizing Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha said that retired Civil Servants are more experienced to govern the states of the Federation, even as he added that the party is not against retired civil servants contesting elective offices, stating; “Indeed, they are most qualified because of their wealth of experience.”
Abubakar told Obuh that because of his rich and distinguished background and service track record, he is most qualified to contest for the office of governor of Delta state and assured that the party will provide a level playing field for all aspirants.
Speaking shortly after he obtained his Expression of Interest and nomination forms, Sir Tony Obuh said, “I have come to establish the first great step and my decision to serve my people in the position of a governor. I here to tell my party that I am serious about what they may have been hearing, seeing and reading in the media that Anthony Obuh is a candidate that is seriously pursuing the first class seat to serve as the governor of Delta state.
“As you may be aware, Delta is doing a programme called ‘Delta Beyond Oil’ and what the programme represents is a philosophy that wants to diversify our economy. A philosophy that want to explore new areas for wealth generation, we want to look into new areas for industrialization, for employment, instead of concentrating on oil, Oil is a product that will finish one day, it will finish and we are preparing our economy to grow on other sectors,” he said.
On the allegation that he is been imposed by the governor, Obuh said, “ I wish that was true, indeed, I am praying and working hard that not just the governor but the entire Delta state people should endorse me and make me their candidate of choice. Nobody has come to tell me that the governor has endorsed me, sponsored me or made me his candidate.
According to him, “The governor has not told me so but nevertheless, I have continued to receive endorsement from across the state, different segments of the delta society, women, men, elders, youths; they have been sponsoring my campaign. People print posters, banners, shirts, caps, and I have not spent a kobo doing any of that.
Obuh further noted that, “People have been endorsing me and they have continued to spend their money to propagate our philosophy. I think our strength is the support we have from our people, in any case, we will pursue it to see whether the governor will endorse us because that will make us happier.
“I am from Delta North, one of the three Senatorial districts of delta state, I am not contesting the election just because I am from Delta North, I am contesting because I have something going on for me in terms of understanding and affiliation of the needs and aspirations of the people across the state. I am standing on the platform of the three Senatorial District; I am a candidate for Delta State,” he affirmed confidently.
On how long he has been a member of PDP, Obuh said, “I have been a member of the PDP because the later years of my service, I was a permanent secretary. I served as the Permanent Secretary for 8 years and by virtue of that appointment, I held a political appointment which makes it free for me to be a member of any party of my choice. I was a registered member of the PDP even if I was not mounting the soapbox. I have been a member of the party since 2001.”
In an expression of gret delight, the Mayor of Infant Jesus area in Asaba, Sir Ben Agazuma and the “Tony Obuh (The Chosen One) 2015 Governorship Support Group”, commended the PDP National leadership in their display of trust, saying that Deltans and non-Deltans in the state have resolved to vote en-masse for Sir Anthony Obuh.
He also lauded the spate of development in the state under the good governance of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, which he attributed to the Governor’s poise to leave a lasting legacy behind.
Agazuma, who stated that Obuh is the only aspiring Deltan who has openly keyed into the globally appraised “Delta Beyond Oil” initiative which is a transformational base for future development of the oil rich state, advised other aspirants to support Sir Anthony Obuh in his great mission and vision or Delta state.
