Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe is the immediate past minister in the ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA), and governorship aspirant in Delta State. In this interview with CHRISTIANA NWAOGU, he talks on a wide range of issues, including his vision and readiness to occupy government House by 2015.
Are You interested in Governing Delta State?
I am set to govern Delta State come 2015 as I’m ready to render some services to the great people of Delta State and to also contribute my own quota towards the development of my fatherland from where the incumbent Governor Udaghan will stop. I will be picking my ticket today. Am contesting because God has deposited a lot of knowledge in my head and I want to replay that to change the face of Delta State. I have been fully equipped both physically and academically to deliver the dividends of democracy to my fatherland.
It is being whispered in some corners that all your concerts/ night vigils have been primed towards getting the people to warm to you when you declare to contest , is this true?
No. that is not true. Those are two different things. You called concerts, there are spiritual concerts that we organise to appreciate God and to make people know more about God. It has nothing to do with politics. I can tell you authoritatively that it is not only Deltans that are involved in these Night vigils. People come from from different part of the country and sometimes we see foreigners too coming to seek and commune with the Almighty Father.
That is a vision that was given to me by God and for those who know nothing about Glory Sanctuary, God gave me a mandate which I should manifest in three ways. First is to bring pastors together so that they can organise crusades to win souls into the Kingdom. Again, to render financial and material assistance to pastors and churches to enable them spread the gospel and to meet up with their targets. While the third mandate is to carter for the less privileged, especially the aged, needy, suffering widows/ widowers among others.
As a Deltan well informed of the happenings in the state, how will you rate the performance of the incumbent governor in the last 8 years?
Well, you know governance is a continuous activity and until we get to the standard that we can be called advanced nation, that is when we boldly say we have arrived. He has done well and History will remember him.
Judging from where Udanghan started till date, he has done well in so many areas. In security, Delta beyond oil, and in so many other sectors, I believe that history will talk about him and I am prepared to start from where he is going to stop and do excellently well too by adding my own contributions towards giving Delta a developmental face.
You just reeled out his projects will you continue with them if elected to succeed Uduaghan?
Yes, I will. When Ibori left office, he had some on-going programmes which Uduanghan met on ground and continued with them. And so, when I come in, I will definitely key into the projects he will not be able to complete before leaving office, to give Delta a new face.
I believe in continuity. That is the only way that we can systematically and progressively take development a higher level in the state
Sir, 2015 draws near, Delta is primed for drama, because, despite the pedigree of people waiting to take over the hot seat, the incumbent governor is being rumored to have endorsed one of the aspirants. What is your take on this?
Well, I think it is rumor and I can tell you categorically that the governor has not endorsed any aspirant. I can also state categorically that the governor is a friend to all the people that are aspiring. I can also tell that you he believes in fairness and working with all the aspirants so that whoever succeeds him will continue from where he will stop. All aspirants see the governor as the leader of the Party in Delta State and as a leader he is giving us a level playing ground. So, that story is not correct.
We are all working towards November 29, 2014 congress where one of the aspirants , Elder Godsday Peter Orubebe will be elected as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship flag bearer.
What changes are we going to see in Delta state if you are elected to occupy the number one seat?
Yes, my vision for Delta State is to make them proud. I will first reflect on my life; how did I get to this level? Three things made it possible for me. One is having a vision and staying focused on that vision. Secondly, working very hard and being committed to the vision and above all, depending totally on God who is the Alpha and Omega. This is the Delta of my dream.
I want a situation where every Deltan can aspire to become great depending on these three pillars that I have created for myself. I want a Delta State where our young men and women can achieve excellent height depending also on these three pillars.
I want to affect the mental reasoning of my people, particularly the youths who are future leaders of this great nation and state. I want them to see God as their ultimate source of achievements. All other expectations such as infrastructural development, improved welfare, health as well as quality education are part of my vision to the state. I’m particularly going to face agriculture very squarely .
I want to create a Delta state where everybody will be equal and have a say. The only demarcation that will be seen in the state will be the level of hard work and commitment to achieving result. Achieving a Delta of happiness, uninterrupted joy, Delta of togetherness and a level playing ground is my vision.
Putting smiles on the faces of the needy, aged and less privileged in your society has been your major priority, do you see yourself continuing this project as a governor?
If I have been able to sustain organising special programmes for the aged because I have a passion for them as an individual, I will do it better as a governor of Delta State. This is because, the scope will be expanded. As governor of Delta state, I will ensure that the aged will enjoy social security from now to when they will be called to glory.
It is believed that the Delta state chapter of the PDP is now a house divided against itself. Do you see the opposition APC taking advantage of the lack of consensus by your party to clinch the hot seat?
Well, firstly, let me correct that notion by sounding it loud that the PDP house in Delta State is not divided as perceived. In politics, these are expectations. There is no way a party will have over 20 aspirants and not have people engineer their interests. I want to state categorically, that there is no other party in Delta State.
As a minister of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, you were accused by the region’s youth as not implementing a special project termed ‘stomach infrastructure. Do you see them supporting you?
You know so many times, government is misunderstood by so many people. I try as much as possible to explain to people what we did in the ministry. MNDA has been a one project ministry, which is the East-West Road. In 2010 I took over the ministry and today, over 70 percent attainment was recorded during my tenure.
You know, amnesty was being supervised by the special adviser to the President on Niger Delta. So many people did not know that it was not under my jurisdiction. I approached Mr. President to approve the training of non militant youths which he graciously did. Today, over 26,000 youths have been trained in oil and gas, maritime, agriculture among other vital sectors of the economy.We also employed some graduates into the Federal Civil Service.
So many of them said they needed contracts. But in all, I thank God that the East –West is today a thing of Joy after I drew the designs and obtained loans from African Development Bank as well as from Sure –P
Sir, your time as the minister in charge of the Ministry of Niger Delta, was made uncomfortable by allegations of different shades. Why are you still interested in Public Office?
I think that when your hands are clean, when you mind is free and when you have a passion for the people, no accusation will scare from answering the clarion call. You know, anyone who listens to public criticism can never achieve greater heights. For instance, In Nigeria, from when President Jonathan took over till now, the country has recorded massive achievements with our railways working, the power sector master-plan and adequate fuel supply can be boasted about. But thanks to Mr. President who has remained focused.
Now, in the same vein, people said so many things about me and of course, what is important is you telling people that all the allegations leveled against me are malicious and untrue. No matter what they say, it will not deter me from delivering and serving my people. There are things God wants me to do for the people of Delta state and I’m determine and focused to obey that divine instruction.After my tenure, history will have a good record about me.
What is your message to the people of Delta State?
My message for the people of Delta state is that we should work in unity and give the incumbent governor the support he needs to govern the state until the end of his tenure. I want to also tell them that come 2015 we will have different shades of programmes and come up with additional projects that will place the state above its equals. That is why I came up with the slogan ‘Deltans Working Together’. We should pray for our state. I see every Deltan as part of one big family.
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