Political appointees in my administration must shun ethnic politics, sectionalism – Oborevwori

Sheriff Oborevwori, the new governor of Delta State, has begun constituting his cabinet and has assured the people of the state that his administration has zero tolerance for sectionalism and nepotism in the management of government business.

He has thus made it compulsory for political appointees in his administration to shun ethnic politics and sectionalism and rather regard the entire state as their constituency.

Oboreveori, who made the declaration in Asaba, on Friday, while swearing-in Kingsley Emu as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and
Emmanuel Aguariavwodo as Senior Political Adviser (SPOLAD), asserted, “I am an unrepentant believer in the unity of Delta State.”

He congratulated the appointees on their well-deserved appointments and urged them to key into the M.O.R.E agenda of his administration in order to break new grounds in infrastructural renewal, human capital development and social investment programmes.

“You must be fair and just to all Deltans. Therefore, both of you must always strive for unity by ensuring that there is fairness, equity, and justice in all your actions and utterances,” he charged.

He further said that his administration was set to build on the legacies of the previous government and break new grounds in infrastructure renewal, human capital development, and social investment programmes.

In that regard, he explained that Emu’s broad experience in government would be very useful in the implementation of the MORE agenda.

Emu, a doctor of economics who was among the top officials that contributed immensely to the success of the immediate past administration led by Ifeanyi Okowa, was the budget and economic planning commissioner and later became the senior economic adviser to the governor. Sources within the government now describe him as the brain behind the Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda.

“He (Emu) has a firm grasp of our policy direction and therefore, in a position to properly integrate it into the operations and activities of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government.

“A major requirement for success in this office is the ability to marry policy and politics. Policy generally points the direction of the government but good political skills enable their seamless execution.

“As the engine room of government, the SSG interfaces with and coordinates the operations of all the MDAs. Hence the SSG must be a consensus builder with the wisdom to marry policy with politics.

“Indeed, how the SSG carries out this function is very critical to the success of this administration. With his vast experience in corporate governance and the public sector, Dr. Emu is well equipped to handle this responsibility,” the governor said.

He advised Emu to ensure that he is accessible to all and ask God for the grace and enablement to always remain calm while maintaining the highest standards of discipline, firmness, and decorum.

Oborevwori assured Deltans that he would be faithful in implementing the administration’s M.O.R.E Agenda, adding that appointments would be based on capacity and merit.
In formulating our manifesto, we were very mindful of the needs and aspirations of our people at this time, he said.

“Deltans should expect MORE policies and programmes that will touch their lives positively because ours is a home-grown approach to governance and development.

“As I have always said, this will be an all-inclusive government whether in terms of projects distribution or appointments.

“With the appointment of the SSG, the process of constituting the State Executive Council has commenced. However, I wish to state that appointments into this administration will be based on capacity and merit.

“We need capable, tested, and competent hands who can hold their own and be worthy ambassadors of the government. Rest assured, it will be a good mix of youth and experience but they must be deserving,” Oborevwori further said.

Responding, Emu thanked Governor Oborevwori for finding them worthy to serve, adding that they would remain loyal to the administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda aimed at advancing Delta.