The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), governorship candidate in Delta State, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has shared his vision of becoming the next governor of the state.
Oborevwori, who is also the incumbent Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, said his biggest wish was to see how he can be of help to free people from lack and deprivation in society.
Ahead of the 2023 elections in February, he assured Deltans of good governance, and also noted that politics is an important means of affecting the people for good.
In an interview with selected journalists, which will be fully published by TheNewsGuru.com on Saturday, Oborevwori espoused extensively why he wants to become the governor of Delta State, he revealed that from childhood he has carried the burden of taking up the responsibility of making life better for the people.
“I should begin by telling you about my mission in politics. It is really about the people. And I have come to understand quite early in life that the most important means of affecting the people for good is politics. When I was growing up, I saw a lot of deprivation and poverty in society and my biggest wish was to see how I can be of help to free people from lack and deprivation. As I went through primary and secondary schools the role of politics and government in making life better for the people was made central in our social studies, government, and economics lessons and textbooks”, he said.
“We also got taught that the surest and legitimate way into government is politics. So from childhood, I carried the burden of taking up the responsibility of making life better for the people. That was my motivation. Now joining politics at the grassroots saw me growing and evolving. I served as a councilor and I also served different governments as special assistant, senior special assistant, and as special adviser. I made sure I put the interest of the people and loyalty to the government above my personal consideration. Then the good people of Okpe constituency decided that they wanted me to represent them in the Delta State House of Assembly. I contested and won the election and became a member of the State House of Assembly”
“Not too long after, my colleagues and fellow lawmakers elected me as the Speaker of the House and by that, I became the head of an arm of government in Delta State. This marked a turning point in my political career and evolution. I was no longer just a Member representing the Okpe constituency, but the Speaker presiding over the State legislature. That act made me a Pan-Deltan and it changed my consciousness and perception. As Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the entire state became my constituency. That position enabled me to appreciate what Delta State is all about, her development aspirations, her challenges, and the colourations and preferences of the people. After the general elections in 2019, my colleagues in the House of Assembly expressed a vote of confidence in me by returning me as Speaker for a second time, that gesture opened my eyes to new vistas of possibilities for me and Delta State”.
“My return as Speaker is unprecedented in the history of Delta State. My colleagues said that they were returning me as Speaker because I am a Pan-Deltan and that I easily build consensus. They also said that I showed a deep understanding of the development challenges of Delta State and that for the State to develop without obstruction, I should continue to lead the legislative arm”.
“I took time to evaluate what my colleagues said and I realized that I have unconsciously promoted politics in the service of the people in the House of Assembly and by extension the State. I soon started receiving encouragements to take my peoples’ politics ideology higher by seeking to be governor of Delta State. I am not one to run away from a challenge especially when it has to do with the people. I thought seriously about it. I also prayed. As a political scientist who is in practical politics”,
“I thought of so many possibilities. I sat down to collate my thoughts arising from my burning desire to use politics to promote the welfare of the people. I also asked myself, after speakership, what next? How else do I serve the interest of the people? It was at that point that I resolved and listened to the call to run for the governorship of Delta State. So, the response to your question on why I want to be governor is to serve the people of Delta State and enhance their welfare and security. My reason and justification is people-centric. It is all for the people”.