‘I want to take over from Ibori’s daughter’

Recently,Victory Oghenechoja Jimmy Enyeh, declared his intention to represent Ethiope West Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly. The journalist-turned politician told Daniel Adeleye, why he plans to succeed Hon. Erhiatake Ibori, the daughter of former Delta State Governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori in the House of Assembly in 2019.

VICTORY Oghenechoja Jimmy Enyeh, the Publisher of Abuja- based National Waves magazine is out to succeed Hon. Erhiatake Ibori, the daughter of the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, as the representative of Ethiope West Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly.

Enyeh made public his intention to contest for the seat during his Golden Jubilee and 10th year anniversary of his magazine in Abuja.

Speaking on his aspiration to abandon his profession for partisan politics, which many consider as a ‘dirty game’ at this time, he explained that apart from coming from a family that came to limelight on account of its political sagacity, he has what it takes, as a journalist, to give his constituents value.

“I officially declared to join politics few months ago during the celebration of my Golden Jubilee and 10 year anniversary of my media outfit. The aftermath of this is that I crisscrossed the length and breadth of my constituency, Ethiope West, which comprises Idjerhe, Mosogar and Oghara to consult with stakeholders, the youths and elders. So, I made up my mind to vie for this position on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Some people may think I am a political neophyte but I tell you that I come from a family that came to limelight on account of its political sagacity.

“In fact, my two uncles, the late Chief Raymond Inije, who was a one-time Deputy Governor of old Bendel State, was one of the founding fathers of Delta State, and also late Chief Samuel Inije, who was a member of the old Bendel State House of Assembly. The role these two political gladiators played in taking the state to the present enviable level cannot be forgotten in a hurry.

“It did not stop there, my father, the late James Ide Jimmy Enyeh was a political stalwart in Idjerhe. He started as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party before defecting to Labour Party.

“As you can see, I might have spent the early stage of my life practicing as a journalist but politics literally runs in my lineage and as I grew up, I have monitored closely the political activities of these family members and learnt a lot from them.

“I saw the way they impacted positively in people’s lives and attracted developmental projects to the community. For instance, the River Basin Development which produced rice was sited in Ago by the federal government and this provided solution to unemployment problem in the community. Oil was discovered in my village and Shell came in; this also culminated in the development of the community. These projects were attracted to the community by these great politicians,” he explained.

He however said he believes that Hon. Erhiatake Ibori has performed exceptionally well in her legislative duties, pointing out that “her laudable achievements will see her through and also speak for her to contest for a higher legislative seat like House of Representatives or Senate.

“When you pass your examinations with flying colours in a certain class, you will be promoted to the next class. There are instances when you get double promotion. So, I expect Hon. Erhiatake to either run for the House of Representatives or Senate,” he stated.

Speaking further on his aspiration, he opined that in the whole of Ethiope West, his village, Boboroku- Ago, is the most marginalised.

He recalled that since the demise of Chief Raymond Inije, a former Deputy Governor of old Bendel State, no one has vied for an elective position or given an appointment from the community; saying that he is of the conviction that the lost glory of the community would be reclaimed through him.

“I present myself to continue from where these great men stopped and I know our current leaders in the state, who had at one time or the other tapped from the wealth of experiences of these late political juggernauts, will give me all the support required to achieve my dreams.

“I am a journalist who has practiced for over 22 years and widely travelled. Apart from African countries, I have been to Dubai, Europe and America in the course of practicing my profession. I have covered several elections organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) as well as a very good team player.

“I rose from a reporter to an editor-in-chief of a magazine. I have exposed corrupt politicians in my media platform as a journalist, so I will make a huge different,” he stressed.

Asked how he would cope as a new comer in the party politics of Delta State and what his chances would be, he said though he lives in Abuja “I visit my constituency three times a month to mingle with the people at the grassroots and to know what they need.

“In the last two months, I have been in the village, traversing the nooks and crannies of the three communities that comprise Ethiope West Constituency. I met with the youths in this constituency and heard all about their needs and desires. They need someone who can come and impact positively on them.

“For Hon Erhiatake Ibori, I don’t expect her to re-contest that same position, she has made her impact felt and should be promoted but if she decide to contest the same position then I will leave everything to God because I know He will see me through,” he submitted.

Giving kudos to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the journalist-turned politician said the impact of the governor has been felt across the length and breadth of Delta State.

According to him, the array of developmental projects which the governor has embarked upon in the last three years showed that the governor is for the people.

“I am a journalist, so I am not saying this for political reason or in a hypocritical manner. If he has not done well, I will say it. But he has done greatly well,” he said.

Rating the strength of the main opposition party, APC in the State, he said the party has no stronghold, adding that 80 percent of Deltans are People’s Democratic Party, (PDP).

“The only Senator, Omo-Agege, who was elected on the platform of APC, only has power to make law in the National Assembly; he does not have developmental projects in the state,” he said.

Throwing his weight behind Niger Delta’s resolution on trading votes for restructuring in 2019, the aspirant said the only way to develop Niger Delta is to allow the people of the area have total control of their resources.

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