I won’t attend Delta governorship debate without Oborevwori in attendance, says Omo-Agege
The Delta State governorship candidate of the All Progressives, Ovie Om-Agege, has stated that he will not attend today’s governorship debate organised by Arise TV.
Five leading contestants for the seat of governor of Delta State are slated to lock horns in the debate at 7.00 pm.
The programme that will run for 2 hours 30 minutes and is scheduled to feature Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of the All Progressives Congress; Chief Great Ogboru of All Progressives Grand Alliance; Deacon Ken Pela of the Labour; Sheriff Oborewvori of the People’s Democratic Party and Chief Kenneht Gbagi of Social Democratic Party.
The candidates are expected to tell Deltans their various plans regarding Delta’s economy, security, education, healthcare among others.
However, Omo-Agege, who is also the incumbent Deputy Senate President, said on Wednesday afternoon that with Oborevwori opting out of the governorship debate, he will not also participate
In a letter signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sunny Areh, Omo Agege explained that “In the evening of Tuesday, March 14, 2023, the Delta APC Campaign Organisation received a letter from Arise News, operators of Arise Television, inviting the leading contender for the March 18 governorship election in Delta State and APC’s flag bearer, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, to a debate involving the major candidates. The said debate is scheduled to be held today, Wednesday, March 15 at 6pm.
“Although the invitation came rather late and we had no prior knowledge of the event while having other engagements already lined up, Senator Omo-Agege is prepared to review his appointments and participate in the debate.
“However, his readiness had always had a caveat: His main opponent and candidate for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, should also be in attendance.
“Unfortunately, we have confirmed that Rt. Hon. Oborevwori has chickened out of the debate. Of course, this does not come as a surprise as the PDP flag bearer had repeatedly indicated that he will not participate in any debate, probably to conceal his inadequacies and avoid his hollow persona being unraveled by the discerning electorate.
“As a result, Senator Omo-Agege is not inclined to participate in the debate when Rt. Hon. Oborevwori is not there.
“However, if as the PDP stated in their letter declining the offer from Arise News that should the organization reschedule it to a new date, their candidate may consider participating, Senator Omo-Agege will promptly review his decision. If only that was truly the case. But we know that Rt. Hon. Oborevwori will never subject himself to any situation where he will face a barrage of questions from the media without the aid and guidance of his media aides.
“If the unthinkable happens and the Speaker expresses willingness to be part of the debate, Senator Omo-Agege will adjust his schedule and participate in the debate.
“We believe that a debate involving all the candidates is a veritable platform for the public to further enrich their assessment of each candidate’s programmes. Such exercise can only be meaningful and wholesome if the major candidates, especially the flag bearer of the ruling party in the State, is willing to participate.”
The Delta governorship debate is expected to help the electorate make the right choice of who to lead them in the next four years.
