Emerhor promises more jobs, elders back Okowa, ‘PDP rigged out Ogboru in past polls’

DELTA State governorship candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, Thursday promised to tackle unemployment in the state by establishing a N10 billion empowerment fund to assist small businesses.

  Emerhor, who spoke at Agbor during the flag-off of his governorship campaign, said that in his first 100 days, N10 billion empowerment fund would be set aside and access points would be established in the 25 local councils to enable the youths, women and small businesses become venture capitalist consultants who will advise them on what type of business they will go into.

  Meanwhile, a group, Delta State Elders Council, yesterday declared its unflinching support for the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, in next month’s election.

  The elders, led by the former Minister of Police Affairs, Chief Broderick Bosimo, vowed to provide their wealth of experience in order to move the party forward. 

  Speaking at the maiden meeting in Asaba, Okowa gave assurance that there would be a level playing field for the elders if he emerges victorious in the forthcoming election.

  The governorship candidate promised to accord enough respect to the party elders and continue to rely on their support even after the government is constituted, adding that he would partner with them to ensure that the best decisions are taken at all times.

  He said: “We will also create opportunities for our elders in government but you must hold your local councils strong and mobilise the electorate to vote for the PDP in all the elections starting on February 14.”

   Emerhor said: “I promise you that the first 100 days, N10 billion empowerment fund will be set aside and access points will be established in the local councils to enable the youths, women and small businesses will have somewhere to go to and venture capitalist consultants who will advise you on what type of business people will go into. When you bring your proposals to them, the State will guarantee the money. You do need collaterals as these consultants will guide you and establish you.”

  He said that financial experts would advise small business owners on the type of businesses they will embark on, adding that the State will guarantee the loans.

   Okowa advised the senior citizens to support the structure of the PDP campaign in their various communities, saying: “If you are strong enough, please go with them because your presence will have tremendous effect.” 

  In another development, former Secretary to Delta State Government, Ovie Omo-Agege, who decamped from the PDP to the Labour Party (LP) to run for the senatorial seat in Delta Central Senatorial District, yesterday shocked the tumultous crowd of supporters when he disclosed that the LP governorship candidate, Chief Great Ogboru, clearly won all the previous elections in the state but that the PDP rigged them to favour its candidate.

  Omo-Agege, who spoke at the Warri City Stadium during a rally by the party, said he decided to leave the PDP when it became clear that the party was plotting to zone the governorship position to a particular area contravening the constitution of the party and against the interest of his Urhobo people.

   The former SSG, who was greeted with a thunderous appraisal when he admitted to have participated in the rigging that aborted Ogboru, vowed to battle the forces of rigging in the state.

  He said: “Every time Ogboru contests election, he wins but he is not allowed to claim his victory. Na all of us de do the wayo.

  “I believe Delta State needs change. I am here to announce to you that the only man that can bring about change is Ogboru. I am not vouching for Ogboru because he is Urhobo but because he is the best man for the post. We want a breath of fresh air. We want someone new.”