KWALE/Nigeria: Former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Delta North, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, has challenged his opponents to an open debate, saying voters deserve an opportunity to assess candidates’ records, competence and capacity to address the region’s development challenges.
Ochei made the call during an interactive session between NDC candidates and leaders of the Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU) at Ndokwa House, Kwale, where the candidates were given an opportunity to explain their programmes and respond to questions on issues affecting Ndokwa Nation.
Speaking at the meeting, Ochei said character, competence and capacity should guide the electorate’s assessment of anyone seeking public office.
He urged voters to look beyond campaign promises and examine candidates’ previous records, particularly how they managed public responsibilities and resources entrusted to them, their integrity and their ability to deliver measurable results.
The senatorial candidate expressed concern that Ndokwa, despite its significant natural gas resources, continued to face serious development challenges, including inadequate electricity, poor educational facilities, flooding and deplorable roads.
Drawing on his experience in the energy sector, Ochei explained how natural gas could be converted into electricity and distributed to consumers, arguing that the region’s resources should translate into improved living conditions and economic opportunities for its people.
He also advocated legislative action and sustained engagement with relevant federal authorities to secure intervention on abandoned roads linking communities across Ndokwa Nation. He criticised the previous state administration over what he described as its failure to address the road challenges during its tenure.
On insecurity, Ochei raised concerns about reports of herders encroaching on farmlands, destroying crops and subjecting women to harassment, saying the situation threatened farming activities and the livelihoods of rural communities.
He said that, if elected to the Senate, he would raise the concerns on the floor of the National Assembly and press for decisive action. He also expressed the expectation that a government led by Peter Obi would treat insecurity as an emergency, referring to the position he said Obi had previously expressed on the issue.
Ochei further called on other Delta North senatorial candidates to participate in an open debate, particularly those who had previously occupied major public offices, including the Senate and the governorship.
He said he was prepared to have his own record in public service examined by the electorate, insisting that candidates should be judged by their performance and not merely by political declarations.
The NDC delegation included the party’s Deputy Governorship Candidate, Ossai Godwin Osumili; its House of Representatives candidate for Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency, Dr Ugochukwu Nwokolo; and House of Assembly candidate, Engr. Nzei Ajuah.
Others present were Hon. Eze Anthony, Hon. Jash Oyeme and the NDC Senatorial Chairman, Hon. Aaron Udoka Ebenuwa, alongside traditional rulers, community leaders and other party stakeholders.
The meeting was hosted by the Ndokwa Neku Union under the leadership of its President-General, Comrade Chief Amechi Asugwuni, as part of an engagement intended to enable political candidates to present their programmes and respond to concerns raised by the people.
