The senatorial ambition of the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, continues to gain strength as the Omu of Anioma Kingdom, Her Majesty, Obi Martha Dunkwu declared total support for the two time governor to beat his contemporaries to the seat.
Uduaghan, who is yet to officially declare his intention to run for Delta South Senatorial seat, despite overwhelming support so far, played host to the monarch who was the former Chairman of Asaba Chamber of Commerce and past President of Delta State Council.
The monarch, the first female traditional ruler in the state, said the reason for her visit alongside other Omus of Delta North was to primarily express heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Uduaghan for his support to her kingdom when he was two-term Governor of the State and cheer him to declare his intention to run for the Delta South Senatorial seat.
Commending Uduaghan’s achievements as Governor, the eloquent retired journalist disclosed that she never met face to face with the former Governor throughout his administration but to her astonishment, he fixed the bad roads leading to her palace, without putting a request across to him. She also used the opportunity to thank him for his support to His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who is an Anioma son.
In his response, Uduaghan welcomed and thanked them for visiting him. He extolled her business acumen, exposure and career as a journalist. He said he was proud of her because she was the first woman to become a ‘man’ in the state and maybe Nigeria.
“I admire your charisma for organizing the private sector to invest in Delta state. thank you for leading the organized private sector. Strides, the state is still benefiting from today”.
He appealed to illustrious sons and daughters of Delta South and Central people to borrow a leaf from their Delta North counterpart in investing in their districts. He hailed her for keying into his Peace and Security Agenda.
On his ambition, Uduaghan promised to inform her when he declares, but said he was still consulting with stakeholders of the tribes of the district.
“When I get to the senate, I would not be going for myself but for the interest of my people and Niger Delta region at large.”
Citing his experience in crisis management while in office and during Chief James Ibori’s administration, Uduaghan noted that such motivation and confidence would come handy in his quest to want to represent Delta South Senatorial District at the Senate.
The former Govenor hailed the military and IOCs for their efforts in maintaining peace in Niger Delta but decried the failure of legislative framework that would structure and concretize the gains for both the oil producing communities and the IOCs.
“The National Assembly must enact laws that will strategically include the people of the region in the developmental plans of IOCs, as well as maintaining peace and security. Laws directing the oil companies to give certain percentage of their acquisition to the host communities will help in engaging the people and stemming the tide of violence and criminality because when the people are carried along, they would do everything necessary to protect your facilities,” he added.
Other important personalities present at the visit include Chief Francis Maku, Hon. Efe Ofoburuku, Hon. Omimi Esquire, Hon. Orezi Esievo, Her Royal Highness, Omu Teresa Owadia, Omu of Onicha-Uku Kingdom and Her Royal Highness, Omu Grace Osibe, the Omu of Akukwu-Igbo, Comr. Patrick Ochei, vice-Chairman, NUJ and Comr. Sam Jubunor.
