By Lucy Ezeliora
36 years Ph.D holder and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Bishop David Brian Ilomechine, has declared his intention to contest for the seat of the Chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Area in Delta State.
He made the declaration yesterday, Tuesday, at the Secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, in Ogwashi-Uku, headquarters of Aniocha South local government area of the state.
A large crowd of supporters particularly the youths staged a walk through the popular Ogwashi -Uku road chanting solidarity songs to herald Bishop Ilomechine entrance to the party’s secretariat where he and his campaign team were warmly received by the local government and ward executives.
Ilomechine, popularly known as Bishop told the party executives that he decided to run for the office because he is qualified and fit to represent the Local Government as the Chairman, saying with him, Aniocha South will be great again.
He said, “I am coming up with a Fresh Agenda for Aniocha South and this Agenda represent, Financial Accountability, Integrity, good road, Sustainable infrastructure, Educational Revolution, Security, Health Care Reform, Human Development and Empowerment.
Speaking on empowering the people for sustainable economic development in the area, Bishop told the Aniocha South PDP executive that “If given the opportunity the teeming youths, women and men in the area will be given attention in terms of empowerment, human capital development, such that everybody will be carried along without any form of discrimination.
He said, i am an independent contestant, I am not pushed by anyone to run as a local government Chairman. God sent me to showcase “Fresh Agenda” to my people
Speaking further he said, I will be financial accountable to the people of Aniocha South, through me, a lot will come to the local government. If you give me the privileged, If my Counsellors ask me of expenditure, I declare it to them with all pleasure, he said.
” I m ready to work for the good people of Aniocha South local government. I’m your son. I want to serve the people of this local government,” Bishop told the party executives.
“He said, I will not suspend any Counsellors for requesting for the expenditure from their Chairman. It is their right to know what is going on in the council, and we will work together in unity and in synergy to move the Council forward”
” I want people to know that the council do not belong to the Chairman alone, it belongs to the people and every Counselor demands to know how the Local Government council is being run”
“My next Agenda is road, not bustop, I will build good for our people. Remember, We don’t have good roads in Aniocha South. It is the hand work of the Chairman to attract people to construct good road for the community and that will be my primary focus
He said, “if given the opportunity peace and security will be given utmost priority because they are key to development. As chairman, my administration will give serious attention to peace and security. It will be pursued vigorously,” Ilomechine told the party executives.
He explained to party leaders that he has contributed so much to his community Ashama Kingdom and to the local government, hence he needed a higher platform to do more and better a lot of his people.
Among the projects include construction of roads, before now no car can drive down into Ashama Kingdom but he made it possible and provided electricity including free education in his present location. Because the moment education dies in an environment the society is collapsed” he stressed.
He said, “By the special grace of God, if given the opportunity I will work in tandem with the policy direction of Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, the governor of Delta State as well as with relevant stakeholders and agencies to make sure the MORE agenda of the Oborevwori’s administration is actualized in Aniocha South”.
He pledged to vigorously pursue the sustenance of the existing peace and security in Aniocha South and ensure that the ethnic groups in the area continue to live harmoniously.
The Chairmanship aspirant while expressing gratitude for the overwhelming endorsement, thanked the Party Chairman Prince Mike Okwufulueze, All members of exco, the party leaders in the LGA, m as well as other leaders too numerous to be mentioned.
He expressed confidence in the party, assuring that he would win the election.
Responding, the Chairman of the PDP in the local government, Prince Mike Okwufulueze, said I am happy with Bishop’s achievements at 36 years by Nigerian constitution, Mr. Bishop is qualified to contest the election and we have capacity in him.
“I want you to know that PDP is not partial and by the grace of God primaries will not divide us in Jesus mighty name “
“My happiness here is that you said you are not desperate to win and that excites me”
Okwufulueze particularly noted the humble and steady growth of Bishop in every angle, describing him as a youth who possesses the qualities to excel as chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Council.
“You are not a stranger in Aniocha South, and in politics I have no doubt in me that if you are given the opportunity as a chairman of the Council, you will succeed greatly.
“I know before you are coming out you have a vision for this local government. It is good that you are coming out to bring yourself for service. I know too you cannot disappoint the people of this local government said Okwufulueze
He said the primary election that will produce the party candidate will be free and fair, noting that the outcome will be acceptable to all.
He urged him told him to go and canvass for votes, adding, however, that it is only God that gives victory in every contest.