By Ovie Okpare
The immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has cautioned aspirants and political gladiators to avoid comments and actions capable of scuttling the relative peace in the state ahead of the 2023 governorship election in the state.
Uduaghan also called for the narrowing of the number of governorship aspirants jostling for the 2023 governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former governor spoke on Sunday when PDP leaders from Urhobo ethnic nationality under the auspices of Delta Central 2023 (DC-23) paid him and PDP leaders from Itsekiri ethnic nationality a consultative visit in Warri.
Uduaghan told his guests to narrow the number of aspirants seeking to fly the party’s flag from Delta Central to help reduce confusion ahead of the 2023 governorship election in the state.
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While calling for sustained peace among the various ethnic groups in the state, he urged political actors to eschewed antics capable of throwing the state into avoid political crisis.
“We used the G3 platform to narrow candidate for the governorship to one person who flew our senatorial flag.
“I will advise that you borrow our template. Narrow the aspirants to one person otherwise it will create a lot of confusion.
“I want to commend you for using words that are endearing and conciliatory to make your request. Continue on this path as you go round to solicit support.
“I want to make a serious appeal that we need peace in Delta State. Thank God the recent tension in the Niger Delta has cooled down. Political crisis is the most difficult to manage”, he said.
While stating that Itsekiri leaders will make their position known at a due time, noted that they remained committed to the political philosophy
He stated that Itsekiri PDP will continue to support the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to deliver on his campaign promises to the people of the state.
Uduaghan added, “Itsekiri PDP leaders have respect and adoration for our national leader -Chief James Ibori. Greet him when you get home. We are also loyal to the government of Delta State as led by our Governor Dr. (Sen.) Ifeanyi Okowa.”
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Earlier, Chairman of Delta Central 2023 (DC-23), Chief Ighoyota Amori, commended former Governor Uduaghan and Itsekiri PDP leaders for receiving the group.
Amori pleaded with Uduaghan and other PDP leaders at the meeting to support Delta Central to produce the 2023 governorship candidate of the party in line with the rotational formula of the PDP.
According to him, “We do not have a problem with our Ijaw brothers or any other ethnic group contesting for Governor as they have been contesting in every election.
“By divine arrangement, the Governorship train has moved to Delta Central. DC-2023 believes in the Senatorial rotation of Senatorial Governorship. It is the easiest, winnable and best political formula by the founders of PDP to manage the diverse interests in Delta State.
“We wish to also make a request that this beautiful moral and peaceful winning formula set by the PDP to move from Senatorial District to Senatorial District be written down so that it will continue to foster peace and unity in Delta State.”
Amori, a former commissioner for education, posited that “DC-23 does not have any candidate in mind. We are not campaigning for any candidate but for the ticket to come to Delta Central.
Among Itsekiri PDP leaders at the meeting are; Chief (Hon.) Thomas Ereyitomi, Chief Otimeyin Adams, Chief Joseph Otumara, Chief Solomon Areyenka, Hon. Daniel Mayuku, Hon. Fred Martins, Hon. Augustine Uroye, Hon. Misan Ukubenje, Hon Shola Abigor and Hon. Vincent Uduaghan.
