Following the demise of the Delta state house of Assembly majority leader, Tim Owhefere, a lawyer and Journalist, the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), fixed April, 10, 2021 for a bye election to replace the late lawmaker who until his death was the member representing Isoko North Constituency. Against this back drop, the leaders of Isoko North Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) nominated Jude Omena Ogbimi followed by the primary and was won by Ogbimi making him the party’s flag bearer in the bye election to replace the late lawmaker. In this interview with HardReporters political editor, Ogbimi, an accountant, politician and philanthropist, among other issues promised not to disappoint his people and his party leaders for the trust reposed in him to replace the late lawmaker. Ogbimi, however said, he will not exceed the mandate given him to complete the remaining two years tenure of the late majority leader, saying unless the people and the leaders ask him to continue in 2023. Ogbimi, thanked and commended the people of Isoko North, PDP, leaders and governor Ifeanyi Okowa for all the supports and honour done him.
Excerpts:
LET US MEET YOU SIR.
My name is Jude Omena Ogbimi, I am from Otor-Igho, Isoko North local government area of Delta state. I am 49 years old, academically, I am an accountant and a politician.
HOW DO YOU FEEL AS THE PDP FLAG BEARER FOR THE INEC APRIL, 10, 2021 FORTHCOMING BY-ELECTION FOR THE DELTA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY 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.
WHAT SHOULD YOUR CONSTITUENTS EXPECT FROM FROM YOU IN THE REMAINING TWO YEARS YOU SHALL BE IN OFFICE AS A LAWMAKER TO COMPLETE THE TENURE OF THE LATE MAJORITY LEADER, TIM OWHEFERE.?
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.
AT THE END OF THE COMPLETION OF THE TWO YEARS TENURE OF LATE TIM OWHEFERE, WOULD YOU CONTINUE 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.
