Northern Groups Endorse Omo-Agege For Delta Governor

By Tunde Oguntola, Abuja

As preparations continue ahead of the next year’s general election, a combination of northern ethnic groups from the North East, North West and North Central parts of the country in Delta state under the auspices of the Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA) have thrown their support behind deputy Senate president, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege to become the next governor of Delta State.

In a joint press conference on the sidelines of the coalition’s meeting held at Asaba the Delta state capital yesterday, the groups said his antecedent as a unifier and excellent administrator has made the endorsement necessary.

They said haven observed the caliber of personalities putting themselves up for the plum job, they decided to settle for Omo-Agege as their choice to succeed the incumbent after due scrutiny.

Speaking to the gathering, Hon. Malik Yakubu who is a legislative aide to the deputy senate president as well as the patron and chief organiser of the multi-ethnic northern groups said, he is in constant consultation with his principal and that the groups comprising the coalition would have proper place and consideration in the eventual government of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

He said, “Those of you who are here, should go back to your communities, door to door, and get the votes out and spread the message that Omo- Agege is the man to vote for.

“I will bring him closer to you people, so that you can get to know him better and get a fair share in his government.

The chairman of the coalition, Amodu Usman Agebie said they can no longer stand on the sidelines while other groups dictate the tone and scheme of things and that Omo Agege has shown a disposition that they could work and feel safe with.

He said, “We believe he is trustworthy. He has the capacity, he has done it for Delta central and we believe he can do it for all of the state. We are trying to form a synergy in Delta state.

“For about a year now we have been preparing for it, we have been encouraging our members to register and I know the D-day will come. I am assuring Omo Agege six hundred thousand votes because the Igalas alone has about four hundred thousand votes before you talk of the Yoruba’s, the Nupe’s, the Idoma’s, the Jukun, the Arewa ground, and other ethnic groups.

“The entire votes in the state is not more than 3.2 million, if we can give him six hundred thousand votes, or thereabout, his people will give him the rest.

“He is a man who is ready to listen to us. Politics is give and take and we are ready to give him our votes as we all have our PVCs and are ready to use.