By John Oghojafor
Ahead of the forthcoming 2019 general election, one of the aspirants for the Ughelli North/South and Udu Federal Constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rev. Francis Ejiroghene Waive has promised regular access to constituents, if elected.
Rev. Waive gave this assurance while presenting his speech during his formal declaration for the federal legislative seat at Otu-Jeremi, headquarters of Ughelli South Local Government Area on Thursday, January 25, 2018 amidst an unprecedented crowd of APC faithful, supporters, Christians from different denomination from the three local government council areas of the constituency, clergies, friends and professional colleagues of the accountant-turned pastor and now, a politician.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, the clergyman and newspaper columnist noted that democracy is based on the notion that a people should be self-governing and that the representatives of the people should be held accountable for their actions. He stressed that legislative job is not meant to be an all-comers affair, but however regretted that due to corruption and care-free attitudes of some of the electorate, people without experience, the right qualification and attitudes have somehow buy their way into power either with their money or with the aid of thugs and touts, hence we have representatives who cannot stand to express themselves nor stand to move a motion in the green chamber.
Continuing, the Radio and TV Evangelist added that, many go to the green or red chamber just for the social prestige, economic benefits, political access and relevance. A situation, he described has made so many state legislators to become mere rubber stamp of the State Governors.
He said; “My people will see me in the House, hear my voice clear and loud, and have me champion their causes both those of individuals, communities and the entire constituency. The era when no one speaks for us will be over with my presence in the house”.
Rev, waive who was received with cheers from the crowd, also promised to provide his constituents consistently the linkage with ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government for employment and business opportunities, adding that the infrastructural needs of the constituents which has been moribund and forgotten over the years he will ensure are listed in the budget even before it is presented yearly on the floor of the house and also said he ensure he lobby the executive arm of government and his colleagues in the house to achieve this and the speedy passage of such projects.
On the lives of his constituents, Rev. Waive maintained that one of the major work of a representative is to speak the mind of the people through sponsorship of relevant bills that can and will improve the well-being of the constituents.
Reiterating the needs for transparency and accountability, the clergyman said his constituency projects will be traceable, visible, valuable and useful to the people and as well use his office to fight for the protection of human rights to freedom and liberties especially as enshrined in the constitution.
Amidst applause and encomiums, the 2019 house representative hopeful in his words said; “I am passionate about whatever I do and will not fail my people. My election will promote transparency & accountability in governance. It will bring progress and development to our constituency. My tenure will impact positively on the majority of our people.”
He called on the good people of Ughelli North/South and Udu to vote for a man who can hear from God and speak the mind of God for his people come 2019.
The declaration ceremony attracted APC chieftains from both the state and Delta Central, including the representative of Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, former Delta State CAN chairman, Bishop Dr. Diamond Emuobor, other Bishops, Pastors from different blocs of CAN and hundreds of christian faithful who gathered in their numbers to lend their support to the clergyman and leader.
