I have not retired from politics ― Uduaghan

Immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has refuted reports that he has retired from active politics.

He also denied stepping down his senatorial ambition for anyone, saying he only stepped aside as a result of election fatigue.

This, according to his media aide, Monoyo Edon, was the highpoint of his delivery at the 2023 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel Lectures/Award Ceremony, on Wednesday at the Casa de Pedro Hotels, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

He explained that he never picked up a form for the Senate on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but only did so once when he defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) prior to the 2019 general elections.

“I indicated interest to contest, but at no time did I collect form in the PDP. I only collected in the APC.

“At no time did I step down. I only stepped aside, because of election fatigue,” he noted.

Uduaghan, while delivering the lecture titled “2023 Elections and Role of the Media”, noted that by 2023, Nigeria would have enjoyed 24 years unbroken democracy, adding that the media had, during the period, enjoyed a lot of freedom, unlike under the military.

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He, therefore, charged media practitioners in Nigeria to be more objective in their reportage since, according to him, media projections were at times far from the reality.

He also challenged media owners to be faithful with their workers by paying them as and when due to guard against being influenced negatively by corrupt politicians.

The former governor said he was in support of the calls for traditional rulers to be given constitutional roles in governance in Nigeria, saying “with such power, authority and recognition, insecurity challenges will be curbed to a large extent across the nation.

“I feel very sad that we have not given our traditional rulers the special role they should play. I say this because a lot of cases are settled in the palaces. Traditional rulership must deal on dictatorship.

“They should be given the power, authority, recognition to play more roles in the society. I am sure if that is done, all these challenges in our society will be reduced.”