…Says Ibori May Publicly Declare His Stance Soon
By Sunday Apah
The immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan has stated that he and former Governor James Onanefe Ibori are not in disagreement over
his recent decision to support the State Peoples Democratic Party Governorship Candidate, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori to be elected governor of Delta State in 2023.
Uduaghan who made this known weekend, when he paid visit to the PDP Governorship Candidate at Osubi town in Okpe Local Government Area of the state, said Chief James Onanefe Ibori has accepted his latest decision to support Oborevwori and may publicly declare his stance soon “and I know he loves the party more than all of us”.
Uduaghan who was accompanied by Delta South PDP Senatorial Candidate, Hon. Michael Diden (aka Ejele), Hon. Nicholas Mutu, PDP House of Representives Candidate, Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency and many others, said the visit was to further show his support for Oborevwori candidacy as well as to put to rest whatever rumour making the rounds that he and former Governor James Ibori are at war over his latest show of solidarity for Oborevwori.
According to him, “I was not under any form of compulsion to support you. I am at a stage in my life where I do things based on my conviction. The Supreme Court has ratified your candidacy and gave you the go-ahead to campaign.
“So we are all out to support you. You are the candidate who has been subjected to court processes the most in Delta. I was also the sitting Governor who had been taken to court the most. So we share something in common. I reiterate my position to stand behind you and all PDP candidates in the forthcoming elections.
“But there are a lot to be done before the elections. You need to pass through the heat you are passing through now in order to be Governor. God has blessed you, but do not take Him for granted. Hold Him close because there are bumpier hurdles ahead”, he added.
He advised PDP members to be consistent and prioritized interest of the party; hear him, “if you say you are behind somebody, stay there. If you think you will remain in the PDP and be working for a candidate of another party, in no distance time, your true picture will be unveiled. You will not even be trusted by those whom you betrayed your party for. Please if you are here, remain here because politics is a very slippery venture.”
Uduaghan charged everyone to support the Atiku/Okowa Presidential ticket even more vigorously as they support Oborevwori who is also the National Deputy Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria.
“I want to plead that the issue of our party’s Presidential ticket be taken seriously like the Governorship. The Vice-Presidential Candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is the first person from our state who has achieved this feat. Hate him or like him, he is a Deltan. Let us support him. His emergence will be to all of our interests”, the former Governor said.
In his response, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori, expressed gratitude to Dr. Uduaghan for the support and great show of love.
He said, “Your Excellency sir, your name has been trending in the media because of your recent decision to support me and all PDP candidates. Another move that struck my heart was when you went to your LGA and Ward to campaign 5/5 for us.
“This is very dear to me. I am happy that you’re campaigning for your brother, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. I am not the most qualified but I believe it is the will of God. My life’s story is like that of David in the Bible. I appreciate you for believing in our 5/5 and also reaching out to people to ensure that the party puts up a united front ahead of the elections.
“I am a man with excessive local content. That was one of the reasons you appointed me Special Adviser in your administration. I have said this severally but let me say it before you sir. Raising the hand of someone who contested against your daughter is very moving to me. You have shown us that we should not sacrifice the general interest of the party for personal interest. You will be remembered by history for a long long time”.
“My M.O.R.E Agenda is my social contract with Deltans. Amongst all the candidates, I am the one that is in-tune with the ordinary people. I don’t believe in talking too much but I will do what will directly impact on the lives of the people. I am a Warri man to the core. I live amongst the ordinary people and so I know their pains very well. I want to be a servant leader. We are very happy having you with us sir. I will certainly reciprocate your visit with PDP leaders from the three Senatorial districts, and to consult you whenever the need arises,” he said.
