Olomu Onyiye
I’ve been following up on the criticisms trailing some of the comments made by Governor Oborevwori on the recent Warri crisis. In all honesty, the Governor is being largely misconstrued.
First, critics should appreciate the fact that the return of Warri to its former glory as the nexus or hub of Delta’s economic development has been of utmost importance to Gov Oborevwori’s heart. This noble fact, the Governor has never hidden in all his related public utterances.
Deltans would recall that on the first day of inauguration into office, the Governor had outlined, while giving his speech, actionable plans he intends to deploy into restoring Warri back to its place in mainstream economic activities. Hence, the developmental and infrastructural initiatives and achievements recorded so far in the oil-rich City are not surprising. They are achievements masterfully imbedded in the MORE Agenda of the Oborevwori-led administration.
The question that should ordinarily arise therefrom is: would same Governor Oborevwori desire to later see all his legacies go to ruins when his successor(s) assume office following his two tenures? Such is highly improbable.
Second, let critics give it to the Governor that at his level of exposure and political craft, he obviously recognizes that no leader is deemed successful until a worthy successor mounts the saddle and commits to continuing or improving on programmes, policies and developmental strides left behind by predecessors.
Beyond such an acknowledgement by his critics, it’s noteworthy that Governor Oborevwori’s pedigree as an unrepentant advocate and promoter of healthy and peaceful coexistence would never see him anticipate or project crisis for a City he bears admirable nostalgia for and one within which he grew up from childhood to adult years. Does Governor Oborevwori not always say that Warri actually gave him so much opportunities in life?
Third, here is a Governor who was at some point in the past, a well-respected youth leader who contributed immensely to the development of his Osubi Community which we see today.
At some other point, the Governor was also a Special Advisor to the Ibori administration under which he championed some interventions that largely ensured that peace prevailed in the volatile areas of the State.
What is more, Governor Oborevwori as the Speaker of the DSHA during the administration of Governor Okowa, was a major team player that saw to the enduring efforts which made Delta State a ‘safe haven’ of sort, throughout the eventful years of the last administration. It is equally heartwarming to adduce that same Governor Oborevwori has continued with the traditions of his predecessor which includes the retainment of the Peace and Conflict Resolution Council.
Lastly, it should be admitted that the Governor only spoke both rhetorically and figuratively. His words actually connoted an emphasis that he will never watch or allow ANY crisis or conflagration in Warri as long as he is in the leadership saddle of the State.
In any case, critics would have alibis to mock or scorn if the Governor had only asserted this without doing anything to forestall escalations in the internecine or communal crisis. Nay, the Governor has literally not rested but has been working round the clock to nip the crisis in the bud. Several consultations have been ongoing, among other helpful initiatives.
Just this previous week, precisely on Friday, the Governor did set up a high-powered Committee comprising top security agents, relevant government functionaries, members drawn from the communities involved in the crisis and other critical stakeholders. Their terms of reference (ToR) include the need to bring to fore, practicable measures by which wholesome and enduring peace and brotherhood can be restored to Warri and its environs.
In all, I believe that the fears of critics, though legitimate in some sense, may eventually or ultimately appear unjustified.
The simple reason is that with all the efforts now being made by Governor Oborevwori especially in addressing the underlying conditions or causes impacting on the current crisis in Warri, there is the unlikelihood that any successor of the Governor alongside potential troublemakers would ever have any future crisis to inherit or propagate.
