By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
Former Secretary of the Presidential Committee on National Dialogue, Dr Indabawa Akilu, has said Deltans should count their state lucky at the prospect of having Olorogun David Edevbie as their next Governor.
Speaking with journalists on Friday, Indabawa who served as Special Adviser to former Presidents Umaru Yar’adua and Goodluck Jonathan at different times, said while he urges Deltans not to miss the opportunity of having Edevbie, he is jealous that his home state, Kano, cannot take him over to help drive their development.
Indabawa who was also National Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (2003-2005), said Edevbie is a fantastic administrator and visionary leader whose ideas and energy for work are extraordinary.
“The people of Delta State are extremely lucky to have David (Edevbie). I am jealous that he is not from Kano State and we cannot bring him over to the North to help us drive our development. Any state that has David should thank God for the gift.
“He is a fiercely loyal and committed team player and stands shoulders above his contemporaries in competence and capacity.
“I first met David when we came together as members of the (Yar’adua) Presidential Campaign Council. The team comprised of Alhaji Kawu Baraje, Uche Secondus, both former National Chairman of the PDP, Edevbie, my humble self and a few others. We drove the Presidential campaign, but David was first in everything. We found his ideas always very attractive. His energy for work is amazing. I had had to ask him how he got that energy and, being almost self effacing sometimes, he will just say “to God be the glory.”
“When we got to the Villa, David proved to be something else. The Villa is a very complex place to work because it converges all interests across the country, but David brought his administrative acumen to bear. David is calm even in the face of huge challenges. When people are under tension he engages himself to provide solutions. He discharges his duties without partiality against anybody nor group. This enabled the government to record many of its achievements.
“I hope that Deltans can appreciate the value and capacity of whom God has given them. David will lead the state to greater heights and Delta will be the envy of other states. I am looking forward to that time because David will deliver beyond expectations.”