BEYOND party interest and loyalty, politics has long been described as a game that thrives on propaganda.
For the records, propaganda refers to information, ideas, or messages that are spread deliberately to influence people’s opinions, beliefs, or actions, often for a specific political, social, or ideological purpose.
The term “propaganda” can have a negative connotation, implying that the information being disseminated is biased, misleading, or manipulative.
Propaganda often involves selective presentation of facts, emotional appeals, and repetition to shape public opinion.
Politics and propaganda have long been intertwined. Propaganda is often used by politicians and governments to shape public opinion, manipulate perceptions, and influence behavior.
For instance, recently in Delta State, the media space was inundated with reports credited to the former Deputy Senate President and 2023 Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege aimed at discrediting the current government of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the State.
Aside of his claim that over 10 PDP lawmakers in the current Delta State House of Assembly were warming up to defect to the APC, which the leadership of the State legislature promptly debunked, the former Deputy Senate President has gone further to discredit the PDP-led government in the State by alleging that two prominent local government areas of the State; Burutu and Bomadi have been neglected by the PDP government for over 25 years.
He explained that despite the significant economic contributions of these oil-producing areas, the state government has failed to improve their infrastructure and overall living conditions just as he expressed deep concern over what he described as the deplorable state of roads and the general lack of development in the two local government areas.
He lamented that after 25 years of PDP rule, there has been little or no progress in these areas, leaving the people in hardship despite their wealth of natural resources and contributions to Delta State’s treasury.
Speaking at the APC interactive leaders and stakeholders’ meeting in Delta South Senatorial District, held recently at Torugbene in Burutu LGA and St. Paul’s Catholic Church Hall, Bomadi Town, Senator Omo-Agege recounted how his party’s victory in the two local government areas were stolen through electoral manipulation.
Senator Omo-Agege raised pressing concerns about the state government’s failure to provide basic infrastructure in Burutu and Bomadi. He described his journey from Warri to Burutu as frustratingly slow due to the horrendous condition of the roads, questioning why a region that contributes significantly to the state economy remains neglected.
“For decades, Burutu and Bomadi have been major economic contributors to Delta State’s wealth. Yet, there is little to show for it in terms of development,” Omo-Agege said.
Senator Omo-Agege noted that the Delta State government often cites the construction of flyovers in Warri as a defense against criticisms of underdevelopment. However, he pointed out thatthese flyovers, being built by Julius Berger, were part of his campaign promises. Omo-Agege questioned the alleged inflated cost of the projects, highlighting that Rivers State had built 11 flyovers for ₦80 billion, whereas Delta State is spending ₦85 billion on just three.
He added that the cost is likely to increase further due to anticipated variations, emphasizing that the project should not have been so expensive. Furthermore, Senator Omo-Agege challenged the government to explain why, despite receiving over ₦1 trillion in FAAC allocations since May 2023, it has failed to construct a simple 20km road connecting Burutu to Bomadi.
Senator Omo-Agege urged the people of the two Local Government Areas to demand accountability from the state government.
However, in a swift reaction, the member representing Burutu 2 State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. (Chief) Pereotu Oloye, while describing Sen. Omo-Agege’s claims as misleading, urged the former Deputy Senate President not to allow his inordinate quest for power push him into misinforming and deceiving the people.
Expressing concern that such allegation was made in Torugbene, a community under his constituency, the Lawmaker decried Omo-Agege’s continued failure to come to terms that 2023 gubernatorial election has come and gone and it is time for governance.
The lawmaker said he cannot afford to ignore attempts to deceive his people and mislead them into believing falsehoods as truth, stressing that if the former deputy president of the senate had made the statement outside the constituency of Burutu South, he would not have reacted.
“I must correct the notion that our great party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, hasn’t done any development in Burutu and Bomadi in the past 25 years.
“In reality, our party has implemented numerous projects and programmes that have positively impacted the lives of our people in Burutu, Bomadi and beyond.
“From infrastructure development to social welfare programmes, the party has worked tirelessly to ensure that our people receive the support they deserve”, Oloye stated.
Highlighting some of the ongoing projects and recent approvals by the PDP led government in Delta state, the Lawmaker maintained that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has demonstrated so much courage, strength and commitment to the wellbeing of the Ijaw nation.
Hon Oloye, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Urban Renewal, stated that the multi-million naira Ayakoromo bridge project which contract was recently reviewed upward to ensure its speedy completion is to say the list, commendable.
He also listed the Egodo -Ogbeingbene road project, the Okerenkoko-Pepper-Ama-Kokodiagbene road, the rehabilitation of the Bomadi- Gbaregolor road, the resurfacing and expansion of the Bomadi-Ohoro road, and scoping of Torugbene-Ojobo road, as some of the ongoing construction sites by the PDP led government within Burutu and Bomadi metropolis.
The Lawmaker said Omo-Agege even indicted himself by the statement as he was a strong member of the PDP in Delta state, the party that gave him the privilege to hold several public offices, including Executive Assistant, Honourable Commissioner and Secretary to the State Government, SSG.
Hon Oloye challenged Omo-Agege to show evidence of projects he attracted to Bomadi and Burutu local government areas as Deputy President of the 9th Senate of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Stressing that “talk is cheap”, the Delta Lawmaker advised Omo-Agege to stop his antics of misinforming the public to gain popularity, noting that Deltans are wiser than he thinks.
“I want to remind the former Deputy Senate President that development is a continuous process, and the present administration led by Sheriff Oborevwori is committed to doing even more in the future.
“Let’s focus on constructive criticism and work together to build a better future for our people, rather than spreading misinformation”, Oloye admonished.
The Lawmaker assured his constituents of more dividends of democracy and urged them to remain vigilant and committed to good governance which Governor Oborevwori is providing through his MORE agenda.
