By Emeka Nwokocha
The political turf of Okpe Constituency in Delta state is getting tougher and busier as Deborah Etame Ajobena-Ojo joins the race to represent Okpe Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly.
Deborah, who wields a robust political pedigree and clout, is the daughter of one time military administrator of Abia State, Air vice Marshal (rtd) Frank Ajobena, a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Delta State.
Speaking to journalists at Mereje, Okpe local government area of the state recently, Deborah said she was determined to change the chequered political narratives of the Okpe people by lifting them out of perpetual poverty and deplorable standard of living. She lamented the poor state of infrastructure in Okpe, wondering that over the years, the people had been burdened by the fangs of poverty occasioned by poor representation at the Delta state House of Assembly.
Continuing, Deborah said she would change the retrogressive political ideology in Okpe and initiate a new template of socioeconomic development for the wellbeing of the people.
Her words, “every time I visit Okpe, I see my people drenched in poverty and lacking basic infrastructure. It is alarming to see the deplorable state of the roads, even the schools are poorly developed and managed without chairs, tables and learning materials, as the students often sit on bare floor without a roof over their heads; even the hospitals are an eyesore.
“I have been to countries abroad and have travelled to 30 states in this country, but I wonder why Okpe, a large kingdom in Nigeria, terribly lacks basic infrastructure to give the people a sense of belonging.”
On her vision to cause a change in Okpe, Deborah humbly said that her passion to transform the lives of Okpe people draws largely from her love for her people, stressing that she would deplore physical and intellectual resources to ensure that development and empowerment of Okpe constituency is given utmost priority.
“My passion to take Okpe people out of the woods is influenced by the love I have for my people. I am determined to create an opportunity for my people to live a life of honour and to enjoy life to fullest.
Stating that her vision is anchoured on the philosophy of “the real deal”, the soft speaking and intelligent politician, who rides on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), reiterates that she is taking a shot at the Delta State House of Assembly in the hope of clinching the Okpe Constituency seat with insurmountable zeal.
Continuing, she noted that Okpe communities are endowed with abundant resources that require the right political will and ingenuity to turn the people’s fortune around for better.
Adding that in civilized democracies across the globe, the welfare of the people is paramount and policies of the governments are tailored to prioritize same. She queried why the welfare of the people does not matter to the government of the day in Delta state, a development she swore to change in Okpe Constituency when she represents her people at the Delta State House of Assembly, come 2019.
