By Ovie Okpare
Immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has said his predecessor and former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori, will soon speak on the emergence of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, as the PDP governorship candidate.
Uduaghan, also dismissed as untrue, that there was infighting between him and former governor Ibori over his endorsement of Oborevwori as his preferred choice for the 2023 general election.
The former governor spoke on Saturday when he paid a solidarity visit to the Osubi residence of Oborevwori to officially inform the PDP governorship candidate that he was solidly behind his quest to succeed Okowa.
He was accompanied on the visit by Delta South PDP officials and candidates of the party in the 2023 general elections including Prince Michael Diden alias Ejele.
According to a statement issued by Uduaghan’s media assistant, Mr. Monoyo Edon, the former governor disclosed that Ibori had since accepted his choice of Oborevwori and there was no disagreement between them.
Uduaghan said the visit to Oborevwori was to further affirm and declare his total support to the PDP governorship candidate and other candidates of the party vying for various position.
“Chief Ibori and I are not quarrelling over this matter. He has accepted my latest decision to support you. He may publicly declare his stance soon and I know he loves the party more than all of us”, he stated.
Speaking on his endorsement of Oborevwori, Uduaghan said, “I wasn’t 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’re the candidate who has been subjected to court processes the most in Delta. I was the sitting Governor who had been taken to court the most. So, we share something in common.
“I declare today again to stand behind you and every PDP candidate in the forthcoming elections.”
The former governor, who however, warned chieftains of the PDP, “There is still a lot to be done before the elections. You need to pass through the heat you’re passing through now in order to be Governor. God has blessed you. Don’t take it for granted. Hold him close because there are bumpier hurdles ahead.
“If you say you’re behind somebody, stay there. If you think you will remain in the PDP and be working for a candidate of another party, in no time, you will be found out. You will not be trusted by those whom you betray your party for. Please if you’re here, stay here because politics is a very slippery venture.
He charged everyone to support the Atiku/Okowa Presidential ticket even more vigorously as they support the Speaker.
“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.”
Responding, Oborevwori thanked Dr. Uduaghan for the visit and declared that the visit is a “great show of love” from his leader and former Governor.
He revealed that he has been trying to be the first to come visit Dr. Uduaghan but was beaten to it by his big-hearted leader.
“Your Excellency, Your name has been trending in the media because of your recent decision. 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 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”, Oborevwori stated.
