FORMER governor of Delta State, Mr Emmanuel Uduaghan has said his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC), was informed by the desire to promote peace and development in the Niger Delta.
Uduaghan, the immediate past governor of Delta state under the platform of the PD between 2007 and 2015, stated this when he fielded questions from State House correspondents at the end of the meeting of APC Caucus held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday night.
The ex-governor was among those that attended the APC National caucus meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and other party members.
According to him, he also moved to APC because of the massive development being witnessed in the Niger Delta region under the APC-led Federal Government.
“Politics is about interest. I’m from the Niger Delta and I managed a lot of crises in Niger Delta.
“Sometimes I went to the creeks and engaged the boys, and my principle when I was managing the Niger Delta was out of engagement, and the current APC government has succeeded in managing the crisis they have met through engagement.
“The President was seeing a lot of leaders from the Niger Delta while the Vice President went from state to state of oil-producing states, making a lot of engagements, and agreements were reached.
“Nobody at that level had gone from state to state before in Nigeria, this was the first time and of course if that is happening, they need to be supported by those of us from the Niger Delta who are passionate about Niger Delta so that in moving forward we can have solutions to the crisis of Niger Delta.
“If a new person comes he would start putting agreements up again and all that,’’ he said.
Uduaghan further explained that he was attracted to join the APC because of the massive infrastructural projects embarked upon by the Buhari administration in the Niger Delta region.
He cited the recently rehabilitated rail lines in Delta state and the inauguration of a committee to actualize the Gas City project in the area.
He said: “Secondly in the area of infrastructure, this government has done very well.
“Talking about my state, for the first time a rail line came to Delta, for the first time the gas city which we have been talking about, a committee has been officially inaugurated and for the first time we have human capital development projects, school feeding; a lot is happening in Niger Delta.
“So for me, let me join the party to be able to effect changes because we cannot achieve anything by working from the outside in the Niger Delta.
“Some of us have to join the APC train and many people are going to come with me so that we can achieve a lot more in the Niger Delta for the APC government.
“Politics is about regional interest and I’m interested in the Niger Delta.’’
Why didn’t you promote same when you were the governor?
shameeeeeeeeeeeeee
The truth is that every federal lawmaker that defected during the last episode, has technically lost their seats according to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The constitution states clearly, the ONLY circumstances under which a Federal Lawmakers can dump the party on whose platform he was elected. Such circumstances never occurred nor happened so, no matter the party you defected to or from, all of them are no longer federal lawmakers as far as the constitution is concerned.
They are illegally occupying such offices and should be told the truth by the courts. Our legal icons, the NBA and the Attorney General of the Federal Government, should save Nigeria another disgraceful episode, by using the laws of the land to send these thieves back to their villages. Only such will amount to justice for the nation and the common man.
Lol. Funny people.
You left because you will not get the ticket not because of development
Ino ke afo ado.
What goes around comes around
The party that u spear headed for 8 yr as a governor is no longer a party of peace and development? Shame on you big head
You serve as Commissioner, SSG, governor in pdp for good sixteen years and now you’re saying the opposite. You’re ingrate.
Stupid and selfish man…
Wat did u do in Ur 8 years to improve Niger Delta???
Story!!!
What peace when u cnt live peacefully with em in pdp…
Believe me,this man will leave apc in pieces
Hahahahaha market isn’t booming
Lie
This is the worst governor delta ever had, it’s a way to protect his loot
Idiot
Stupid man
Foolish man
What do want? He want to identify with centre government
Oponu
Who ask you mbok?
Wise man!
Oga x governor of delta State , if u did things right ur boy Ejele nor go make u change from PDP 2 APC , ur hand Don fall … Why not hide urself eat d money u gain from ur ruled time make u no hear words ..
Ejele get fans pass u in delta state abeg nor spoil APC name , sir rigging nor dey exist @dis present government oo …. Anyway nemesis dey tell on u, of all those things God bless u with, give deltan’s some.
Peace indeed Selfish bastard all of you ‘re just selfish even if Ambode defects to PDP, all of you ‘re just doing all this for your selfish interest.
Una wehdone. Politricking here n there
Mtccchhheeeeeewwwwwww!!!!!! What nonsense. This man has to be the worse governor Nigeria has ever seen. He’s a far cry from the guy he took over from, Ibori.
Look at who’s talking. ?
After 16 years in PDP with several positions. Now you just remembered Niger Delta
?
Relax you’re now a saint… efcc has forgiven you all your sins.
Ensure you sin no more.
Be sincere, you decamped for your selfish desire.