By Blessing Ogah.
The Urhobo Elite Forum (UEF) in Delta State has expressed disappointment over the disqualification of a leading PDP aspirant for the 2023 Governorship election, Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo by the DC-23 – a Delta Central 2023 lobby group, with a self acclaimed mandate to work for the actualization of a Delta Central Governor in 2023.
The State Coordinator of the group, Chief Ojefia Kpokpogri, disclosed this to newsmen after a leadership summit in Warri convened to interact with critical stakeholders, as part of efforts to promote democracy, good governance, peace and security, particularly with the forthcoming elections in Delta State and Nigeria in general.
Mr. Kpokpogri informed participants at the meeting that cut across political/ religious/ community leaders in the State, Women Societies, Youth Groups; Student bodies, among others, that the former MD/CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and also one time member of both Chambers of the National Assembly has the capacity to consolidate on the achievements of Governor Okowa’s administration with new ideas and innovation that will bring to fruition a new Delta State that will be the pride of all.
He said the Governorship hopeful has performed excellently well in all ramifications as evident in his overwhelming achievements in both the Private, and Public Sector.
“I have not personally met with Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, but our unwavering support for his aspiration is strictly based on his antecedent as a trusted, and seasoned administrator that has used his positions in the past to positively impact on humanity, and the society in general. For, as the saying goes “one good turn deserves another.
“No doubt, Aguariavwodo has the requisite professional experience and skills to take Delta State to the next level of socio-economic and infrastructural development. We are not unaware of the secret plan of the Chief Ighoyota Amori led discredited DC-23 to impose Mr. David Edevwie as the Governorship candidate of the Urhobo Nation, against all democratic norms, and the wishes of the Urhobo People.”.
Chief Kpokpogri, however, warned that the Urhobo Elite Forum will have no other option than to declare Chief Amori and his co-travellers as persona non grata in Urhobo land, if they fail to rescind their unpopular decision.
In his remarks, a Niger Delta Activist, who is also a Political Strategist and Leadership Consultant, General Kay Kay commended the group for their democratic initiative, unwavering support for the gubernatorial ambition of Senator Aguariavwodo, as well as the privilege of being a guest speaker at the historic event.
“According to him, If elected, Senator Aguariavwodo will be a unifying factor in Delta State. His Strategic Developmental Roadmap (SDRM) will certainly be of great delight to Deltans.
For the benefit of doubt, Aguariavwodo eminently distinguished himself as the Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC through his hard work, vision and uncommon patriotism demonstrated in other positions of authority.
General Kay Kay expressed displeasure at the unfair and unjustifiable disqualification of Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo by the controversial group and its leadership, ahead of the 2023 Governorship election in Delta State.
“You would agree with me that this unpopular decision by the DC-23, has no doubt exposed the group of having a hidden agenda to usurp the democratic right ( power) of the people to choose their leaders, which i believe would be vehemently resisted by the electorates , and other right thinking members of the PDP in just a matter of time, as we look forward to be informed of the criteria, or yardstick that was used for the selection exercise”.
“ For the benefit of any doubt whatsoever, Senator Aguariavwodo remains the overall best candidate from the Urhobo Nation to be considered for the exalted position of the Governor of Delta State. His antecedent, speaks volume of his achievements as a member of both Chambers of the National Assembly, CEO/MD of the National Delta Development Commission (NDDC),where he impacted positively on humanity and the entire Niger Delta Region, visa-vis his revealing socio-economic, and infrastructural development projects, among others. To cap it all, he is a core grass root man , whose core values are putting others first”.
Speaking further, Kay Kay said, the enviable attributes of Senator Aguariavwodo can not be said of Mr. David Edevwie, whom the DC-23 is manipulating to succeed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, in a bid to actualize their insatiable political interest , without recourse to due process, and the rule of Law. It is also worthy of note, aside the fact that Edevwie does not freely relate with the people, he can not express himself in the Urhobo mother tongue, as well as being the least favoured candidate for the contest in terms of public rating, among Party members.
“Consequently, this calls to question, the supposed questionable mandate of the DC-23 to screen, and project a true Urhobo candidate, as the next Governor of Delta State, in compliance to the Zoning arrangement of the People’s Democratic Party”.
Finally, i make bold to say that, if tbe Urhobos cannot take good advantage of this opportunity, by doing what is democratically right, our great party should jettison its zoning arrangement, or concede the Delta State Governorship slot to the Ijaws, particularly with the ongoing agitation and protest across the State over the unwarranted, and biased disqualification of Senator Aguariavwodo, who remains a unifying factor across ethnic divides.
“This is a clarion call for the Delta State PDP to act now. As the saying goes “a word is enough for the wise, as I commend His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for his giant strides and mentorship, Kay Kay is optimistic that Delta State will be greater with Aguariavwodo on the leadership seat”.he concluded.
