By Charles Kumolu

The governorship aspiration of Chief Godsday Orubebe  recorded a boost following his formal declaration to contest for the number one seat in Delta State.

Since the former Niger Delta Ministry minister’s desire for the position had never been in the dark, the outing in Asaba could be described as anticipated.

The event, which attracted hordes of well-wishers to the Asaba Arcade, to some observers, would  change the conversation in the ensuing intrigues in the race.

The crowd, drawn from  the 25 local government areas, LGAs, in the state, was unanimous in its support for Orubebe, who had insisted that his relentless bid for the position was divine.

Like similar events in the state, the outing was a melting point for the various ethnic leanings in Delta, as people of different tongues converged to further their support for Orubebe.

The messages that resonated from the venue deflated the impression that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had been reserved for a preferred aspirant.

From the informed party chieftains present to the hardly informed chunk of the crowd, the message was the same: ‘Orubebe, Carry Go!’

The attendees include Prof Eric Opia,Chief Wellington Okrika, Chief Tony Omatseye, Chief Dan Ekpebide, Wing Comdr P. Y  Biakpabiri ,rtd, Chief Lucky Ogboru, Ambassador Sydney Mordi, Chief Sam Eyengho, Prince Nathan Okonjo, Cheif Hope Erutte, and Chief Sam Osasi.

Heralding the solidarity statements at the event,  Director General of the Orubebe Campaign Organisation, Mr. Terry Noah,  described the aspirant as a visionary with a divine mandate to govern Delta.

He asserted that Orubebe’s mission was to provide leadership for his people in all ramifications.

According to him, the one time Chairman of Burutu LGA got to where he is through total dependence on God.

Opia, who contested for same position on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention, NRC, said it was God who made Orubebe accept the calls to serve.

Okirika added his voice thus: “ “We have seen all manner of people who have taken advantage of the simplicity of the state. I saw in Orubebe a God fearing man. Let us for once put a man who will do the will of God in government house. Besides that he is the most qualified and experienced, he has worked under two Presidents. This is not an issue of tribe or zone, what belongs to Caesar should be given to Caeser.”

Amid the solidarity messages, Orubebe, who is upbeat about getting the ticket despite percived political calculations that do not seem to favour his senatorial zone, mounted the podium to formally declare.

He  said that the experience he garnered in the various political positions he had held, makes him the best man to govern Delta, noting that he is not an accidental aspirant.

Orubebe also stated that his roadmap for the reinvention of the state was ready, adding that all he needed was the PDP ticket to actualise it.

He said: “As I was driving past the streets of Asaba, I saw some posters with different inscriptions, including the one welcoming me as the next governor of the state. I want to let you know that as your humble servant, I will be there for you come 2015.”

“I resigned as a minister after serving for over six years and three months. Since February I have been going round the local government areas talking to various groups and I saw a state that is loved by God. I saw a state that is filled with quality human capital, I saw a state that desires to live together, I saw a state looking for an agent to develop it’s huge potentialities by bringing all Deltans to one table where dreams can come true. I am that agent. It is possible and we are going to do it, “ he stated.

Explaining further on what he meant by not being an “accidental aspirant,”

Orubebe said:”I am not an accidental politician. I have been consistent in politics and I have the experience. I started low cost housing as the Chairman of Burutu Local Government Area in 1993 and I will do that as governor. All the parameters I used in achieving success in my previous public service positions, would be used to make all the institutions of government in the state functional.”

Orubebe, while promising to revamp all ailing industries in the state, stated that he shall run an all-inclusive government where the presence of opposition will be felt in the state, unlike now when there is no presence of the opposition.

Orubebe said that he was in support of Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration and would work with it to move the state forward.

He paid tribute to President Goodluck Jonathan and late President Umaru Yar’Adua for appointing him at different times as minister.

Orubebe called on Jonathan to run for a second term in office, saying that he had achieved a lot for the country.