· Explains Choice Of Okowa’s Running Mate
DELTA State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has declared that re-electing President Goodluck Jonathan for another term in office is non-negotiable for the people of the South-South geo-political zone.
Governor Uduaghan, addressing a mammoth crowd that turned out for the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally at Koko, Warri North local Government Area maintained that the President deserved another four years in office because he has a listening ear to the plight of the Niger Delta region.
“The biggest fish in this 2015 election is President Goodluck Jonathan who is re-contesting again as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he is not just a son of this area, it is significant that we re-elect him because he understands our problems, when we cry to him, he listens,” he said, adding, “It is our responsibility to vote for him (President Goodluck Jonathan), we did it before and we shall do it again.”
Dr. Uduaghan asserted that all the candidates of the PDP in the February, 2015 general elections deserved to be elected because they are masses-oriented in their thoughts and actions.
Speaking on the choice of Barr. Kingsley Otuaro as running mate to the PDP Governorship candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Uduaghan explained that the decision was a strategic move aimed at consolidating on the peace in the Warri area.
According to him, “we have had our fair share of conflicts in this area, we have tried to manage the peace and security in this area, it has not been easy, nobody should take the peace and security we are enjoying for granted because a lot of persons contributed to it. We have a lot of youths who are today living peacefully together.
“To continue with that peaceful process is not going to be easy but I believe if people in this area continue to be active in politics, we can continue to maintain that peace and even take it higher.
“There is a young man who was involved in ensuring that we actively and seriously maintain peace in this area. I am saying this because I can give testimonies of his activities for us in achieving peace in this area. He was a community leader, he was involved in most of the activities we carried out for us to have peace…and today, our governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has chosen him to be his running mate and that is the person of Barr. Kingsley Otuaro.”
He added, “For me as an individual, the duo of Dr Okowa and Barr. Otuaro as Governor and Deputy Governor is a divine blessing for us because even as we are enjoying the peace, there are also things that can cause insecurity, fortunately, he (Barr. Otuaro) is an evangelist and he is praying, and through his experience in achieving peace in this area, Delta State will continue to enjoy peace.
“This is because, the truth is that when there is sneezing in this area, not only Delta State will shake but, the whole of Nigeria will be affected. We are going to ensure and give him the responsibility to ensure that there is no sneezing in this area.”
Governor Uduaghan introduced President Jonathan as the PDP Presidential candidate, Senator Okowa as the Governorship candidate in the state, Senator James Manager as the Senatorial candidate for Delta South, Hon. Daniel Reyenieju as the House of Representatives candidate for Warri Federal Constituency and Hon. Michael Diden as the House of Assembly candidate for Warri North local government constituency.
Senator Okowa, at the occasion thanked Governor Uduaghan for encouraging him and also commended the people for believing in him.
He promised to embark on programmes that will better the lives of the people of the state, noting that the PDP Government has transformed Delta since it assumed power in 1999.
Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Edwin Uzor urged Deltans to vote massively for PDP Candidates, stating that there is no other political party that has better ideology and has empowered the people through the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people like the PDP.