Isoko North Constituency Bye-election: I’ll Complete Owhefere’s Remaining Two Years Tenure And Bow Out – Ogbimi Pledges 

• Says He’s Not A Desperate Man

Jude Omena Ogbimi, is the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) flagbearer for Isoko North Constituency bye-election. Recalls the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), had fixed April, 10, 2021 for the bye election to replace the late Delta state House of Assembly majority leader, Tim Owhefere, a lawyer and Journalist who until his death was the member representing Isoko North Constituency.

In this interview encounter with BIGPENNGR Team, Ogbimi, an accountant, politician and philanthropist who hailed from Otor-Igho, Isoko North local government area of the state, spoke about his candidacy, his mandate to do only two years and promises he made not to disappoint his people and his party leaders for the trust reposed in him to replace the late lawmaker.

The 49 years old trained accountant, vowed not to exceed the mandate given him to complete the remaining two years tenure of the late majority leader, specifically saying unless the people and the leaders ask him to continue in 2023, he will bow out after two years as lawmaker when elected.

Excerpts:

HOW DO YOU FEEL AS THE PDP FLAG BEARER FOR THE FORTHCOMING BY-ELECTION FOR THE ISOKO NORTH CONSTITUENCY?

Well, as you know we lost one of our illustrious sons, one of the most vibrant lawmaker we ever had in Isoko North, Hon. Barrister Tim Kome Owhefere and his death was a great loss to Isoko North, Isoko nation in particular and Delta State in general. And following his painful demise, the party leaders in Isoko North nominated me as his replacement. In line with the constitution and that of our party and INEC act, primary election was conducted and I won. So I am the PDP flag bearer for the INEC April, 10, 2021 by-election tor the Isoko North constituency state assembly. Currently, we are on ward to ward campaigns and rallies across the Isoko North constituency.

AT THE END OF THE COMPLETION OF THE TWO YEARS TENURE OF LATE TIM OWHEFERE, WILL YOU CONTINUED IN 2023 SIR.?

I shall do only the two years to complete the late Tim Owhefere’s tenure in the House. The truth is for the now the focus and mandate is to go and complete the remaining two years of late Tim Owhefere’s tenure and that’s all. It will be the decision of my people and my leaders who brought me out to complete the two years because I am not a desperate man and I never wished to be one. I want to use this medium to also thank Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, my Isoko North leaders and our people for the honour done me.

WHAT SHOULD YOUR CONSTITUENTS EXPECT FROM YOU IN THE REMAINING TWO YEARS YOU SHALL BE IN OFFICE AS A LAWMAKER?

Don’t forget, I am going to the House as a lawmaker, but the truth is that I will allow my antecedents to speak for me even in my private capacity I am known by people as someone who support the course of the common man and have always felt my impacts in my community and Isoko North in general in the areas of empowerments, education, health care and in other areas. I have given out so many free scholarships to my people, offered free health care. I am a philanthropist who has done so many philanthropy, though the two years may not be enough, but I can assure you that my people will feel my impacts as always. The antecedents of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in putting smiles on the faces of Deltans vis-à-vis his SMART agenda has actually motivated me going into politics, his sincerity in politics changed my perception in politics. Go round Delta State you will see that virtually all areas across the three senatorial districts of the state has been transformed with dividends of democracy. All the ethnic localities have been touched by the Okowa led PDP administration in the areas of infrastructure, human capital among others. This is first time we are having a real grassroot governor, so his vision is my vision, his vision is my goal and as a lawmaker I shall ensure my people are not left out by way of influencing people-oriented development and human capital. The youths and women will be placed on high priority because they are the nucleus of any sound economy, so the youths and women must be carried along. In Okowa’s administration, the women and youths are well empowered. What I know is that I will never disappoint my leaders and the people for this rare privilege given me so far.

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE FOR YOUR PEOPLE TO VOTE YOUR PARTY COME APRIL, 10, 2021.?

The truth is that, Isoko North is PDP, Delta state is PDP and PDP is Isoko North, PDP is Delta state. Let me also use this opportunity to appeal to the people of Isoko North that comes Saturday, April, 10, 2021, translate into votes all the love and massive supports they have shown me and our party so far during our ward to ward campaigns and rallies.