By Jesuovie Tekevwe
Deacon Kawhariebie Ken Pela is an unknown personality in the politics of Delta state, despite winning the local government primary election to contest as chairman of Ughelli South Local Government and was denied the position by the power that be, over 22 years ago.
Ever since he was denied the chairmanship position under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the past two decades, Pela has been a successful economist, investment banker, and a politician with a distinct repute.
After a prophecy and revelation that he would be a governor, Ken Pela become a frontline candidates of the 2023 governorship election with the mindset and intention to revamp Delta State that would be anchored on fairness, peace, equity and justice if elected to govern the state.
Having being a member of the Governing Council and Acting Chairman of the National Institute of Sports, he is positive that he can bring fairness, peace, equity, and justice if elected as delta state Governor.
Ken Pela, an economist who became an investment banker believes that there is the need to build a strong and flourishing Delta anchored on the principles of integrity, character, competence, judicious management of resources and production.
Pela started his political career about 22 years ago when he contested and won the primary election for the position of local government chairman in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State and he was not allowed to become the candidate under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Presently, he is running for the position of Governor in the 2023 Delta state gubernatorial election, under the Labour party to make positive changes.
It must be stated categorically that amongst all the candidates vying for the gubernatorial position in Delta state, the Obidient Movement of the Labour Party, pride itself as a party whose candidates appears to be the most cerebral.
Their candidates are well informed and academically fulfilled the standard expected of all lettered men and women of proven integrity.
According to Deacon Pela, “I was the one and only person that established in my place over 20 years ago. That was because I felt I could contribute my quotas to the development of my locality. But I found out that if you really want to make changes, you must be in politics.
“I was not particularly keen about politics initially but changed after I received the prophecy that I should be in politics. I did not think I should enter into politics until I received direct revelation.
“After what happened in 2002, when I won the chairmanship primary and I was denied the ticket, I told God that I did not want to contest it. But I contested then because it was something God wanted me to do.
“Like I said, the revelation was specific that I was going to be the Governor of Delta State. I told God that if it was really what He wanted me to do, work it out in your own time. I stay in politics, but focus on my business.”
While urging Deltans to vote for him to liberate the state, he said his government will enthrone harmony, prosperity and wipe away the 24 years of waste the state has been subjected to by the ruling party, PDP with myriad of failed promises with his 8-point agenda.
“Our country Nigeria is in need of change, not the fraudulent APC kind of change though and we all have the opportunity to make this change on February 25, 2023. We have the opportunity to change this country for good, for the better. And the only platform to realize that is the Labour Party.
“So tell all your people, go out there with your PVC and vote Ken Pela in Delta State because our vision is to build a better Delta where righteousness, harmony, fairness, equity, justice and transparency in governance are lacking, just as waste and corruption in the state’s governance are rife.
“My vision is to build a better Delta where righteousness, harmony and prosperity reign, noting that fairness, equity, justice and transparency in governance are lacking, just as waste and corruption in the state’s governance are rife. He promised to create an environment where merit thrives.
“That way there will be disposable income to retool our economy. All the monies that are supposed to come to local governments will come to them, and they will be used as centres of development. Local government chairmen will be held accountable for monies received.
Firstly, We will pay a living minimum wage and it will not be less than N100,000. While the People at the grassroots will know how much comes to them and demand accountability.
“That way there will be disposable income to retool our economy.
The second thing we will do is to ensure that our local governments have fiscal autonomy. All the monies that are supposed to come to local governments will come to them, and they will be used as centers of development. Local government chairmen will be held accountable for monies received.
“The third thing we will do is local government-based social investment scheme where we will give 100 people in each local government N1 million every month, payable over four years, with beneficiaries paying back N250,000 every year. The aim is to enable people to start businesses or grow businesses.
The fourth is to provide power. Gas is all over Delta; there’s gas in Isokoland. So why not provide gas turbines to give power, as we will ensure we utilize our gas resources and stop gas flaring and ensure that there’s 24-hour power in Delta state.
“The fifth thing is to develop 10 new cities. As it is today, Delta state is developing into one huge slum, no development plan, nothing.
“We are going to develop 10 new cities, one in each federal constituency and they will have industries and amenities required to live a good life.
“The idea is for people to get good houses at relatively cheap rates, and they can pay with mortgages. These are things that will boost the economy of our state.
“Also, we will revive moribund industries; all the industries that are dead, DSC Steel, Aladja, Asaba Textile Mills, the Sea Ports at Warri, Koko, we will revive them.
“By the time we do all these things, the economy of Delta state will skyrocket. That way we will build a better Delta where righteousness, harmony and prosperity will reign.”
“I don’t tell people that I want to build roads, I want to build schools, those are the basic things that government owes you, the people, to do for you,” Pela said. “Yes, government owes you those things by right; it’s not a privilege.
“I can assure you that under my leadership, Delta will have the best roads anywhere in the country.”
