ex-Minister Godsday Orubebe declares for Delta governorship

The former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, who was sacked last week, has declared his intention to contest the Delta State governorship election in 2015.

Mr. Orubebe was removed from office alongside three other ministers, including former aviation minister, Stella Oduah.

The four former cabinet members were asked to resign their positions to save them the embarrassment of being sacked.

Mr. Orubebe announced his interest for the governorship post in Asaba on Saturday during a civic reception in his honour by a group, Delta People’s Forum.

He said that he accepted calls from the forum to resign, and return to his home state to serve his people.

“As I was driving past the streets of Asaba, I saw some posters with different inscriptions, including the one welcoming me as the next governor of the state.

“I want to let you know that as your humble servant, I will be there for you come 2015,” he said.

As minister, Mr. Orubebe was enmeshed in several cases of corruption, which he neither defended nor was he punished for by the government.

In 2012, a group, Anti-Corruption Network, ACN, headed by a former member of the House of Representatives, Dino Melaye, accused Mr. Orubebe of corruption and abuse of office.

In a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, the group accused the former minister of accepting gratification of a palatial mansion in Abuja, to award contracts to his cronies.

He was also variously tongue-lashed by the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, for poor performance, especially for failing to complete the East-West Road, which is vital to the economy of the Niger Delta region.

Mr. Orubebe said that he was in support of Delta States governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan’s, administration and would work with it to move the state forward.

He paid tribute to President Goodluck Jonathan and late President Umaru Yar’Adua for appointing him at different times as minister.