In what seems like a divine manifestation, Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, disqualified a candidate of the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 governorship election, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
Taiwo, in the judgment, agreed with the plaintiff that Oborevwori, ought not to be on the 2023 governorship election for the PDP on account of allegedly supplying false and forged documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the governorship election.The judge subsequently directed INEC and the PDP to recognise the plaintiff, Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, disqualified candidate of the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 governorship election, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
Taiwo, in the judgment, agreed with the plaintiff that Oborevwori, ought not to be on the 2023 governorship election for the PDP on account of allegedly supplying false and forged documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the governorship election.The judge subsequently directed INEC and the PDP to recognise the plaintiff, Olorogun David Edevbie as candidate of the PDP in the 2023 governorship election in Delta State.
This judgment has sparked palpable excitement in the camp of the former finance commissioner in Delta state, which sees the development as a significant victory and expressed delight at the turn of events.
Olorogun David Edevbie, a gentleman par-excellence is a former Commissioner of Finance under former Governor James Ibori, who came second in the primary. He contested Oborevwori’s participation in the primary on the grounds of alleged discrepancies in his academic qualifications as well as his age. His world-class tutelage would launch him into multinational corporations.
Far from the stormy petrel portrayed by today’s crop of desperate politicians, Edevbie is neither a do-or-die troublesome politician nor a bullish power monger. He acts more like a team player and a gentleman, who seeks redress to burning issues through legal means.
The character, David Edevbie, is in the realm of the enigmatic, the prudent and the never say never. Edevbie is the chief of staff to Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. His mien is remarkably noticeable even in a crowded hall. He has always portrayed himself as a courteous gentleman, who is never given to crudity that is common mannerism of most political office holders in Nigeria.
No doubt, the position of a Governor in a State is key to the success of such a state. Delta State, in particular, has witnessed elections in the past, using a modified two-round system. To be elected in the first round, a candidate must receive the plurality of the vote and over 25% of the vote in at least two-thirds of state local government areas. If no candidate passes this threshold, a second round will be held between the top candidate and the next candidate to have received a plurality of votes in the highest number of local government areas.Delta State is a diverse state in the South South region; although its oil reserves make it one of the wealthiest states in the nation, Delta has faced challenges in frequent oil spills, environmental degradation, and cult violence in large part due to years of systemic corruption. Therefore, having a man as vast as Olorogun David Edevbie in charge of the State’s exponential polity will be an added advantage to the oil-rich state.
Politically, Delta state’s 2019 elections were categorized as a continuation of the PDP’s control as Okowa won with over 80% of the vote and the party won a majority in the House of Assembly along with holding two senate seats. Having a PDP government continue in the rulership of the state, will ensure continuity of a progressive government in the State.
Prefigured with presence, good looks and civil carriage, Edevbie has a pleasant persona. Olorogun David Edevbie’s first term as Governor will focus on consolidating on the technological focus of the past administration. He would ensure establishment of new technical colleges, an upgraded transport infrastructure, healthcare, entrepreneurship training programmes, and agriculture development.
He needs not to be doubted, performance-wise. Bearing in mind that during his term as a Commissioner, David Edevbie was praised for adhering to transparency, despite holding a very sensitive portfolio.
An astute banker, Olorogun David is an alumnus of the University of Lagos, where he studied a degree in Economics. He is an administrator, who stands elegant and majestic, with a charming outlook, born on December 23, 1963. He hails from the densely populated Ughelli-North local government of Delta State.
He had a masters degree in Business Administration MBA from Cardiff Business School, the United Kingdom with proficiency in International Corporate Finance 1987-1988, culminating in advanced management training in Harvard Business School, Harvard University, USA.
He attended Igbobi College between 1975-80; Federal Government College, Odogbolu from1980-82; University of Lagos, 1982-85; Cardiff Business School, University of Wales, 1987-88.
He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing; Chartered Institute of Bankers, among other professional bodies.
Olorogun worked as a Trainee Manager, Graduate Development Programme, Barclays Bank Pic, London in October 1988. Thereafter, he got elevated to the position of Asst. Branch Manager between 1988-89. Other positions he held at the Barclays Bank include, Credit Analyst 1989- 90; Asst. Manager, Corporate Lending, 1990-92.He also worked as a Corporate Finance Executive at Hill Samuel Bank Ltd, U.K. between 1992-93; Manager, Corporate Recoveries, 1994-95; Investment Officer, Asia and Pacific, Commonwealth Development Corporation, UK, 1995-96
After a meritorious service in the diaspora, he was appointed Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in July 1999. A position he held till 2005. This launched him into the political space in Delta State.
A staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party, even within government circles and events, especially in Delta, Edevbie is a spectacle of cultivated and urbane grooming. No wonder he holds the esteemed title of Avwerosuor Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom.
According to a Media Aide to the Governor, Olorogun David Edevbie’s pedigree propelled him to national reckoning when he received an invitation to be the Director of Finance and strategy in the campaign of the then PDP presidential candidate, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua now late. He was later appointed principal Secretary when Yar’Adua was elected president in 2007, serving until April 2010 after the death of the head of state, to establish his consulting firm, Avantgarde, reputed with tested portfolio in Power, Oil & Gas, Mining, Health, Telecommunication, Financial Markets and Hotels.
He returned to mainstream politics in 2014, when he contested for the governorship ticket of PDP. He conceded to Okowa who emerged flag bearer in the December 8 primary and later, governor on May 29, 2015.
His love for Delta state and the undying spirit of sportsmanship in him gave room for the political tolerance which brought both men together in power as Edevbie became Commissioner of Finance again after his 1999 debut and got appointed Chief of Staff to Okowa in his second tenure as governor.
Okowa’s accommodating nature and gentle spirit was in tandem with Edevbe’s civilized nature and competence to helm in the stronger hold, a new Delta, driven by a policy thrust named SMART Agenda.
Edevbie as chief of staff to Governor Okowa has been useful in the coordination of key governmental policies and activities. He is in charge of appointees, encouraging focus and fastidious diligence, befitting of the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa led-administration.
His hobbies include playing soccer and advanced financial modelling skills.
Olamide Adeniji is a member of the editorial team of TheScript Newspaper
