By Ifeanyi Ogechukwu
In our local parlance, whenever disputes are to be settled, or an individual wants to be fair to the parties involved, you hear statements like, “whoever the cap fits, let him wear it”. It is on this premise that this piece would attempt to fairly present Chief James Augoye as the best aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the 2023 gubernatorial election in Delta State.
Chief James Augoye, who hails from Okpe Local Government Area in Delta Central Senatorial District is a rare breed administrator and an astute mobiliser. He is visionary with great insight, a self-confident man, compassionate negotiator, a loyal party man and one whose love for Deltans remains unbeaten.
His concern towards holistic development of Delta state, along with sectoral interests had long been demonstrated on diverse fronts through single-handed humanitarian efforts and bespoke execution of state projects.
Recall that Chief James Augoye, a grassroots politician began his political ascendancy from the cradle. He served as a member of the Okpe Local Government Transition Committee in 2003, where he superintended over the Revenue Generating Committee. This assignment he delivered without a dent to his image.
His superlative delivery in the transition committee prompted a higher calling from his people to become the elected councillor representing Ward 10 in the Okpe Local Government Council between 2004-2007. Still climbing the political ladder through dint of hard work, the people of Okpe rallied round him, the “Agadagba Okpe” as he is fondly called to become the Chairman of Okpe Local Government between 2012 and 2014.
His political clout continued to resonate across the state and there was no going back for the humble and diligent Chief James Augoye. At the commencement of the 2015 gubernatorial campaigns, “Agadagba” was beckoned on by the PDP to coordinate the campaign council of the party in Okpe Council Area. His delivery was top-notch and his output excellent.
No wonder in 2019, the party did not need to search for another political maestro for the work at hand. It was obvious that only a grassroots mobiliser, loved genuinely by his people was good enough to give the necessary coordination for another PDP victory in the local government area. Chief Augoye was found worthy for a second time and reappointed to the same position to work for the emergence of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for a second tenure.
Having witnessed the diligent deliveries of Chief James Augoye, on his assumption of office in 2015, the incumbent Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa saddled Augoye with the responsibility of overseeing the Ministry of Works in the state. As commissioner for works in 2015 up till 2021, he was an integral part of the conception and subsequent execution of the administration’s infrastructural development across the state.
His passion for capacity building for youths and women as well as philanthropic gestures towards the downtrodden is legendary. No wonder the name, James Augoye, has continued to make headlines, considering the various calls from individuals and groups, asking him to run for the office of the state Governor.
Chief Augoye’s antecedents speak volumes about his intention. His focus and watchword at all times is the pursuit of the general interest of people rather than personal or selfish interest. Need I say more, considering his political profile from the grassroots and his record as commissioner for works in two tenures, he stands out as a board room guru and a meticulous executive officer.
With him, there is a name to protect, there are contacts that would be better utilised while occupying Osadebey House and there are antecedents to be sustained in order to avoid a ‘but’ in his profile.
Dear people of Delta State, I present to you a gubernatorial aspirant who intends to comfortably pursue his ambition, riding on the platform of Antecedent, Probity and Equity. Here is a man that has not been in the spotlight whatsoever, for any untoward action, despite the long years in public service. He is someone whose achievements both in public office and private engagements had been focused on raising the living standard of the people.
He is a man believed by the majority of the people to be best suited for the job as Governor of Delta State come 2023. Permit me to therefore present to you ‘The Man Whom The Cap Fits’- CHIEF JAMES AUGOYE!!!
