2019: I’ll Never Step Down; I Only Shelved My Ambition In 2015 Because Of Jonathan – Uduaghan

Immediate former Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan has said he is not contemplating stepping down for anybody in the Delta South Senatorial District senate race, pointing out that in 2015 he stepped down because of the ambition of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Uduaghan said he traded his ambition for Jonathan’s election and for peace which was one of the cardinal agenda of his administration as governor of Delta state in 2015.

The former governor spoke following rumours making the rounds that he has chickened out of the senatorial race ahead of the 2019 general elections.

BigPen Online recalls that Uduaghan and his main rival in the race, incumbent senator, James Manager were photographed together in a warm embrace during the Delta South PDP rally in Oleh. Other aspirants in the race had at the event publicly declared their interest for the seat except Uduaghan, thus fueling rumour of his withdrawal from the race.

But Uduaghan who hosted some kinsmen of Manager who play him a solidarity visit at the weekend, said stepping down was not part of his agenda in the 2019 senate race .

The Ijaw group, which is a coalition of Bomadi LGA Elders headed by Revd. Gbenekuru England alongside hundreds of youths drawn from different youth groups in Bomadi Local Government Area, where at the Warri residence of the former governor when he made the declaration.

Leaders of the group said they came to verify claims “if the dynamic and all-tribes loving former Governor had stepped down again for Sen. James Manager on occasion of his recent public declaration at the PDP Mega Rally for Governor Okowa which held in Oleh”.

However, allaying fears of his visitors, Dr. Uduaghan was quoted to have said,  “I have not stepped down for anybody and I am not going to even contemplate stepping down for anyone.

“In fact, I have put my hands in the plough and there is no going back. By the grace of God, we would be in Abuja in 2019, he enthused.

Continuing, he said, “It was for the interest of President Goodluck Jonathan’s votes from Delta that made me withdraw from the 2015 senatorial race, last minute.

Giving clarification about the 2015 withdrawal, Uduaghan said, “the stability of the state was very important to me. I needed to concentrate on the state and prepare it for a peaceful transition; otherwise, I have all the machinery to win the seat if I had so wanted it like I do now”.

On whether he was scared of any opposition, the former governor said, “I have paid my dues in stemming ethnic violence and militia uprising in the creeks to deserve the senatorial seat. How many people can make such sacrifice? How can somebody who has fought plenty political battles as a serving governor be scared of anybody? That is very laughable to me.”

The visibly relieved group, buoyed by the news, broke into dancing and singing in Ijaw.

According to them, Uduaghan is the best man for job.

Earlier Uduaghan disclosed that he and his family had heard from God clearly, in January 2018, that victory is sure for him at the polls.

He used the occasion to assure all his supporters, friends and well-wishers that plans for his campaign will soon be roll out in a massive dimension and everyone would be carried along.

The leaders of the group who spoke in separately, agreed to throw their weight behind Uduaghan’s senatorial ambition, because according to them, Delta South is ready for a new beginning and Dr. Uduaghan is the new beginning.

They believe when he gets to the senate, the District would get qualitative representation and he would empower not just his Itsekiri people but also the Ijaw and Isoko people as he did when he was a two-term Governor of the state.

“We have tested your capacity when you were Governor we know that the Ijaw nation benefited from your administration.

“Our son, the current occupant of the seat, who has been there for four tenures has tried his best but it is now time for a new beginning. It is the turn of the Itsekiris based on fairness and equity. Your Excellency, your are the new beginning for Delta South”, they affirmed.