By Henry Ovie Ebireri
…The criticism of being not on ground is analog thinking. Change can be done from anywhere around the World – Orette
… emphasises that Constituents should be highly valued, no longer to be treated like beggars
… describes godfatherism or king makers in a democracy as anachronistic
Houston-based Family Physician spanning over 40 years, Dr Austin Orette is seriously warming up to contest 2027 Delta South Senatorial race.
Orette, in a press statement issued in Houston Texas highlighted his commitment to uplifting lives, bringing development to the grassroots and providing quality representation.
According to him, “The idea of king makers in a democracy is anachronistic. The voice of the people should be equal instead of the echo of a selected few who have no interest in uplifting the welfare of the people. The role of traditional rulers is non-partisan. I will seek their blessings. The people are my backers. In a democracy, it is one man, one vote.
‘’Elections are expensive because the politicians spend money frivolously in buying votes instead of articulating a vision for the people. I will give my senatorial district a voice in national affairs. I will be the vehicle for the aspirations of my people.
“The major challenges in the Delta South senatorial district and Nigeria in general”, he went on, “is that the people have lost faith in the system.
‘’Those they elected treat them as beggars and nuisance. When the people complain, they tell them to line up for palliatives. I see the people as the solution to our problems. I will fight to give them the knowledge and the know how to dig us out of the ditch of ignorance we find ourselves. The people are the solution. I will empower the people, and the people will untie the ropes of ignorance and bondage”.
On President Bola Tinubu’s reelection bid, he said, “I am a supporter of President Bola Tinubu. Tinubu is seeking reelection. I sincerely believe he will be the best person to restructure Nigeria. Nigeria needs major restructuring before we can know any progress. The other candidates running for presidency seem to be in love with the unitary system that has brought us to this nadir. They seem to be in love with a unitary executive with dictatorial powers. We must restructure if we want to pull our nation from the abyss that an unruly military plunged the nation into”.
An Advocate for legal reforms, fiscal restructuring and the restructuring of the Nigerian federation, Orette reminded the people of Delta South to make a credible choice in the interest of the senatorial district.
‘’I am running for the Senate, and my energies will be concentrated in my race. The criticism of being not on ground is analog thinking. Change can be done from anywhere around the World. What did those who are on ground achieve with their presence? They could not even leave Abuja to address their constituency. I will leave the present occupant to tell the people about his achievements’’.
He promised to make a difference in the lives of the people.
‘’My programs and legislative impetus will change the lives of the people. There will be a flowering of consciousness as we will emphasize good citizenship and leadership. We will pay serious attention to education, legal reforms and healthcare and maternal welfare. We will set up a digital library for the people. They will have access to any information around the world. We will get equipment for our artisans like welders, carpenters and mechanics who will be retrained and equipped with modern tools. We will emphasize agriculture with modern equipment and good extension services that will make us self-sufficient.
“Vocational education will be highly encouraged. All hands will be on deck. Our people are in a crisis. I have friends and institutions around the world that will assist me to articulate the solutions to the plight of my people as we prepare our people for positions of responsibility and leadership within Nigeria and beyond.
‘’As a Senator, my primary role is legislative. I will fight for a new constitution that respects the rights of the people. Our present constitution treats the people as tenants. We need to have a constitution that recognizes us as the owners of this land called Nigeria. We have to fight to decentralize the power that is concentrated in Abuja. Abuja produces nothing but consumes everything. Once the power is decentralized, our people can use it for massive development of our zone”, he stated.
*Dr. Austin Orette
