Delta 2023: Reduce Your Aspirants To One, Uduaghan Advises DC-23.

By Sunday Apah, Ughelli

Former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan has advised leaders and members of Delta Central 2023 lobby group to reduce its number of governorship aspirants to one before the PDP primary election.

Uduaghan who gave the advise when members of Delta Central 2023 (DC-23) lobby group paid consultation visit to Itsekiri political leaders, commended the group for the bold steps and also advised them against use of rabble-rousing statements.

According to him, “try and bring down the number of aspirants jostling for the governorship of the state from Delta Central to one and avoid the use of words that can breed disunity between ethnic nationalities because such can lead to political crises that we cannot manage.

“So I appeal that as you go round your lobby, maintain peace with your utterances to avoid ethnic crises. We must continue to douse the political tension to maintain the existing peace in Delta state”.

He noted that Itsekiri as an ethnic nationality also has points of agitation and that at the right time they will give answer to the appeal for ‘zoning in line of senatorial districts to be sustain’ as requested for by the DC-23.

He stated further that those who fought against zoning in the state usually lost election woefully. “We the Itsekiris have great respect for former Governor James Ibori, and are also loyal to the government of the state led by Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. We will continue to give him every support to ensure that he ends his led administration gloriously”.

Earlier, National Chairman of Delta Central 2023, Chief Senator Ighoyota Amori in his speech, expressed appreciation to the people of Itsekiri for the warm reception and posited that the plan on how the PDP can rule beyond 2023 was their major aim, as they cannot afford to lose the state to an opposition party.

He said the DC-23 is a lobby group made up of card carrying members of the PDP in Delta Central Senatorial District with aim to lobby for the governorship seat to rotate to the Central come 2023.

He noted that the DC-23 is not different from G-3 of Delta South Senatorial District that was formed to drive the process of his (Uduaghan) election and Anioma Agenda that was formed in 2014 to propel the process of election of the current governor of Delta state, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa.

According to him, “Our Ijaw brothers that want to contest against aspirants of Delta Central Senatorial District have their argument for the governorship seat likewise us but we can’t talk of zoning on ethnic lines because the state is made up of various ethnic groups like Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Ika, Ndokwa, Oshimili, Aniocha and few others, hence the appeal for us to maintain the zoning arrangement on senatorial districts order”.

“We want to establish a sustainable system where when it gets to the turn of your senatorial district, no one from other senatorial districts will contest against the benefitting district. So the argument that Urhobo or other ethnic groups contested during the turn of other senatorial districts will no longer be there”, he added.

He appealed to the political class of the Itsekiri nation for support for DC-23 push for zoning arrangement on senatorial order for peace and stability among the districts.

Leaders and members of DC-23 that went for the visit include Chief Ighoyota Amori, National Chairman, Hon. Solomon Ighrakpata, Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Reuben Izeze, 1st National Vice Chairman, Chief Suru Salami, 2nd Vice National Chairman, Hon. Chief Dennis Omovie, 3rd National Vice Chairman, Dr. Chris Oharisi, National Secretary, Barr. Isaacs Itebu, National Treasurer, Olorogun Arthur Akpowowo, National Publicity Secretary, Olorogun Andrew Orugbo, National Legal Adviser, Chief Anthony Akpomiemie Esq., National Auditor, Hon. Godwin Atose, National Organizing Secretary, Comrade Austin Opubor, National Welfare Officer, Chief Sunday Apah, Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Festus Pemu, Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Deacon Raymond Edijala, Assistant National Treasurer, Mrs. Philomena Ededey, Assistant National Welfare Officer, Hon. Best Okoromadu, Assistant National Women Leader, Chief George Osikorobia, Assistant National Auditor and Dr. Amos Ighorodje, Assistant National Secretary.

Others are Williams Etubiebi Esq., Chairman BoT, Chief Bernard Edewor, Deputy Chairman, BoT, Chief Emmanuel Ighomena, Secretary, BoT, Chief Mike Adiotomre, Chief (Mrs.) Margret Unukegwo, Chief Ejaife Odebala, Former House of Assembly member, Chief Mrs. Philomena Oyearone, Barr. Idris Oyibo, Okakuro Blessing Oborevwori, Chief Duncan Ewhere, Chief Abraham Odjighoro, Mr. Benjamin Ogbimi, Engr. Eric Osiobe, Hon. Maria Emamo, Hon. Onoriode Ishegbe, Kanaba Ovie Duke, Christopher Ophori, Sir. Godfrey Etabuko, Mr. Anthony Omonigho, Chief Dr. Isaac Akpoveta, Chief Bestman Itive, Francis Obire, Prince Robinson Samuel, Monday Omonode, Oghenevwero Esi, Chief Samuel Okoro, Evang. Ejimitowovwon Emmanuel, Okakuro Collins Eboh, Chief Moses Orhokpor, Chief London Akpanoko, Rev. Canon David Otofia, Kennedy Atevure, Afie Oghenero, Kingsley Ideh, Emmanuel Ishaka, Representatives of Olorogun Kenneth Okpara, Representatives of Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Representatives of Chief Fred Majemite and a host of others.

Those that represented the Itsekiri include His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Ewetan Uduaghan, Former Governor of Delta State, Chief Otimeyin Adams, Chief Joseph Otumara, Chairman, Warri and Environs Development Agency, Hon. Chief Thomas Eriyetomi, House of Representatives member, Warri Federal Constituency, Chief Solomon Arenyika, Hon. Daniel Mayuku, Executive Director, DESOPADEC, Hon. Irene Imilar, Hon. Fred Martins, Hon. Austin Uroye, Mr. John Okorolok, Hon. Griftson Omatsuli, Hon. (Barr.) Misan Ukubeyinje, Mr. Amah Agbajoh, Ms. Esther Ogwudu Abrakata, Hon. Tunde Fregene, Mr. Godspower Etih, Hon. Kenneth Efejuku, Mr. Vincent Uduaghan, Mr. Emmanuel Abigor, Hon. Freeman Fregene, Mr. Toju Igomieyinetan, Hon. Godwin Abigor, Mrs. Jolomi Dabor, Mrs. Esther, Okotie-Eboh, Mrs. Mercy Itesse, Hon. Odu Samuel Whiskey and many others too numerous to mention.