UPDATED: Delta LGA Polls: Monoyo Edon Congratulates Agbateyiniro, Hails Party Leaders’ Decision On Warri South Chairmanship Race

Louis Monoyo Edon, a chairmanship aspirant for Warri South Local Government under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has announced his withdrawal from the race, congratulating Hon. Isaac Oritseweyinmi Agbateyiniro on his selection as the party’s candidate for the forthcoming Delta LGA polls.

This is coming barely 24 hours after he had earlier refuted claims that he and other aspirants stepped down for another aspirant during a recent meeting.

Edon, a former Special Assistant to former governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and immediate past Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, had in an earlier statement clarified that he was not invited to such a meeting and remains committed to his campaign.

But in a new twist on Friday, Edon expressed his gratitude to his supporters, admirers, and friends, acknowledging the “Greater Warri Project” they shared. He said that he respect the decision of the Warri South Leaders and shareholders, while maintaining the “importance of party unity”.

Edon, however congratulated “my elder brother, Agbateyiniro”, and encouraged his supporters to do the same, maintaining that “there are better days ahead.”

He thanked party leaders, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, for the opportunity to participate in the contest.

The statement reads in full:

“FOR THE GREATER GOOD

On the 10th of July, 2023 when I declared publicly to run for the chairmanship seat of Warri South Local Government under my great party, PDP, little did I know how the journey would pan out.

I came into the race on the back of modest capacities as Special Assistant to former Governors Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON and Dr. (Sen.) Ifeanyi Okowa, state chairman of the Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM) and as Ifiekporo community Image Maker.

Belief and hope carried me thus far -Belief, because when one aspires to achieve anything, if God and the cosmos align in your favour, you can reach any height and I entered this race to WIN; not to test the waters as some people had mocked. Most young people are assumed to enter political contests just to test the waters. But I am glad to have changed that narrative for the youth of Warri. I was prepared to see this contest to the end.

Hope on the other hand because my party encourages young people to participate in politics. In fact, our Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has been hugely accommodating of young people in his government and affairs of our party as encapsulated in the second item of his M.O.R.E Agenda; Opportunities for All.

However, man proposes but God disposes. It is only God who gives power. I want to use this medium to inform my teeming supporters, admirers and friends that our Greater Warri Project (GWP) has submitted to the will of the Warri South Leaders who have picked Hon. Isaac Oritseweyinmi Agbateyiniro as the candidate for the PDP ahead of the Delta LGA Polls in July.

At the blast of the final whistle signaling the end of a keenly contested football match, opposing players exchange jerseys, hug one another and move on. It is on this note I congratulate my elder brother Comr. Agbas (as we fondly call him) on beating all of us to the ticket of our party. We are one big family and I respect the decision of our leaders and shareholders.

I appeal to my well wishers, friends and supporters not to feel offended by my decision because there are better days ahead. I am proud of the commitment and resilience we put in to sell our Project. You all are the real MVPs. It may not be our turn today but certainly nobody knows what tomorrow holds for all us. I will also be here to support your dreams and aspirations.

Lastly, I thank our leader, the ever amiable Ukodo, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, my father, His Excellency Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON, all our party leaders (space will fail me to mention in this letter) for giving me the opportunity to enter this contest and express myself. I am grateful and remain loyal to serve our party in whatever capacity.

Thank you and God bless!”