By Onome Oghenetega
The member representing Okpe, Uvwie and Sapele Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Chief Efe Afe, has said Delta Central Senatorial District will produce the next governor of Delta State in 2023.
He said going by the rotational formular with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) he was confident that the party would produce its flag-bearer from Urhobo in the 2023 governorship election in the state.
The lawmaker spoke when he received members of the Urhobo Youth Leaders Association (UYLA) at his Orerokpe country-home in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta.
The youth leaders were at his residence to solicit his support in the ongoing mobilization of Urhobo political leaders for 2023.
Afe called on Urhobos irrespective of political parties to work in unison to ensure that the next governor in the state is produced from the district.
He noted that Urhobo political leaders would reach out to other tribes in the state to support the district in the interest of justice and fairness.
Afe said, “I beg all Urhobo sons and daughters to put political parties aside and ensure Delta central produce the next Governor come 2023. We must speak with one voice and lobby our sister tribes in the interest of peace and harmonious coexistence.”
The House of Representatives member also called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to urgently reconstruct the Warri/Effurun-Sapele – Benin Road as the road has become a death trap for commuters.
ALSO READ: Ex-Delta Gov, Uduaghan Warns Youths Against Kidnapping
He lamented that owing the deplorable nature of the road, the South-South region was almost cut off from the rest of Nigeria, adding that commuters have to spend over four to five hours for a trip of less than 45minutes from Benin to Effurun.
“The road (Effurun/Benin) was contracted over twenty years ago with little or no maintenance. Delta State is where the federal government generates more of its revenue from. Armed robbers have taken over the road over its deplorable condition. We in the South-South deserved good road network”, Afe added.
On the issue of Sapele Seaport, the federal lawmaker disclosed that he had sponsored a bill for the federal government to revive the seaport as it will help decongest the Apapa and Tincan Seaports in Lagos.
He added that the sapele seaport when revived would provide jobs for jobless youths.
Afe also enjoined youths to take advantage of the degree programme in Urhobo Language at the Delta State University for the preservation of the Urhobo history and culture.
Earlier, leader of UYLA delegation, Chief Vincent Oyibode, appealed to Afe to support the call for Delta Central to produce the next Governor of Delta, saying “it is fair and just following the agreed rotational zoning process in the state.”
