Zoning is unconstitutional –Delta guber aspirant

Tony Prest is an entrepreneur and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who `is seeking to be elected as governor of Delta State in 2015. He speaks on what he would do differently if elected and says that the issue of zoning the governorship slot to a section of the state is unconstitutional and fraudulent. He speaks on these and other issues..
Why did you venture into politics considering the fact that you are an entrepreneur? Is the lure of the power that comes with being a political office holder the attraction?
I have always been politically inclined. My father was a deputy leader of Action Group for 10 years under Chief Obafemi Awolowo . As recently as 1998, I and a few of my co-travellers came together to propagate the unregistered political party called Minority Rights party. Our ‘minority’ was defined as women who were marginalised, youths, physically challenged people, ethnic minorities, northern Muslims who leave in a Christian dominated South and Southern Christians who live in a Muslim dominated North.
Fundamentally, I am qualified as a Delta indigene to contest for the governorship position and  if you add this to my wide experience in business and the understanding of the impact good governance will have in the development of Delta State, I would deem it a crime against the  people of Delta State for me not to present myself for service.
I want to challenge the existing primordial system of electing political office holders based on zoning, ethnicity, or religious considerations instead of ability and merit. If I succeed, it will be a turning point for the coming generations as we would have established merit as the vital ingredient for achieving political success.
Another reason why I am contesting the election is because in my view, Delta State has not achieved its full potentials. Looking at the resources that abound in the state like oil, arable land for agriculture, rubber, cocoa, and other forms of mineral resources relative to the level of development and industrialisation of the State, I will say that a lot still needs to be done. I know what it means to create jobs as this has been my major preoccupation from my days as a student at the University of Benin till date. I know what it means to harness resources and mobilise people to achieve economic development. I know what it will take to get financial support from the  NEXIM banks from around the various continents of the world to our state for the purpose of economic development and emancipation of our people. These and many more are reasons why I am contesting.
What would you do differently if elected?
Through good governance, transparency and a strong anti-corruption orientation we shall create the enabling environment for the private sector to drive our economy. In the area of security for a start, we all know that there cannot be a conducive environment for economic development if we are not secured. If people do not feel safe, many intending investors will look elsewhere. Therefore I will give serious priority to the security of lives and property in Delta State. We would immediately engage the Nigerian police and Scotland Yard for a comprehensive training and re training of officers deployed to the state.
On transportation, we shall immediately implement the cheapest form of transportation in the world which is the railway. This will in itself massively reduce youth unemployment.
Our cardinal objective would be to provide work for those that can and security for those that cannot. All the various aspects of our manifesto speak volumes of our intention to create jobs across all sectors of our economy from agriculture to commerce specifically through a government enabled and private sector driven initiative.
In Delta, our first move regarding providing for people in our society who are unable to work and earn a living due to no fault of theirs will be to enact legislation to make it possible for our governments now and in future to pay social security benefits. Unemployment benefit is still alien to our political economy but we intend to make it a reality for the unemployed, while we work vigorously to create jobs and pursue a zero percent unemployment strategy and create the necessary conditions for the private sector to create jobs as well.
I  promise to pay N8, 000 to every unemployed single adult above 18 years and N10,000 to the unemployed head of every family of resident Delta indigenes monthly. This system will be funded from our constitutionally provided 13 percent derivation.
With my experience in business, I will turn Delta State into Investors’ Heaven through  Zero tolerance for Corruption and massive infrastructural development in for example, railways, sea ports enhancement, good roads, electricity, security, Human Capital Development, etc.. I shall expose our raw materials and Agricultural Products in a way that will attract the right investors to set up processing and manufacturing industries in Delta State. All these steps will create the enabling environment for industries to thrive in Delta State and thus create job opportunities for our teaming youth population.
Do you have the political structure to realise your ambition?
I am a founding member of the PDP and in 2011, I initiated the Door-2-Door volunteers for the election of President Goodluck Jonathan. As the chairman and national coordinator of the project,  I was able to set up a nationwide network of volunteers. I have as well built in Delta State, a long relationship with key players in the political arena as well as having a direct link to the people at the grassroots.
I do not believe in godfatherism. God Almighty is my godfather. My political structure consists of the everyday people and of course and the organised private sector associates which cuts across ethnic, racial, religious and cultural lines.
 Are you not apprehensive that the issue of zoning could truncate your ambition?
Like I said, I want to challenge this primordial consideration in the process of leadership selection in our country and my starting point is Delta State. The issue of selecting a candidate by zoning is a lie as it is nowhere in the constitution and the constitution does not speak any language but English. Lack of electricity does not know zoning. When PHCN takes light it does not know the tribe of the person.
Bad roads do not know zoning. Deltans don’t care about the tribe or zone that the Governor comes from, they only care about who can deliver the goods. That is why power shift or zoning is not recognized by the constitution. Zoning is a fraud.
Deltans just want the best person for the job, someone with a track record of creating employment, freedom from crime and corruption. They don’t care whether he is Ijaw, Urhobo, Isoko or Itsekiri. They just want someone that will give them happiness and prosperity.
Those who are interested in running for office must put their best foot forward. The people must have a say on who they desire in this very office. They must vote for the aspirant in the primaries they will vote for in the general elections.
Deltans only care about the person that will bring about the best possible change; a person with innovation to implement the projects that will improve the lives and living standards of the people. A man with the right education be it from the University, secondary school, experience from travels round the world, experience from business, experience from the streets, pedigree, wealth, track record of wealth creation, private sector employment creation, Innovative background, entrepreneurship and ability to ensure that the needs of the people are met and that development is a sure thing.