Traditional rulers in Isoko ethnic nationality in Delta State have endorsed the immediate past governor of the state and senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Delta South, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, for the Senate seat in next month’s National Assembly election.
The monarchs, however, said Uduaghan’s endorsement was on his personal capacity and not because he is the APC candidate for the election.
Speaking for traditional rulers in Isoko South in Oleh, His Royal Majesty, Anthony Ovrawah, Omogha 1, the Odio-Ologbo of Oleh, said Uduaghan has the blessings and support of the royal fathers for the Senate seat.
The Odio-Ologbo of Oleh, who spoke in Isoko Language during the visit on Wednesday, noted that: “Uduaghan has the blessings and support of Isoko nation for the senatorial seat. You’re our candidate for the Senate. We picked you not because of APC but for who you are.”
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The former governor also met with traditional rulers from Isoko North at the palace of His Royal Majesty, Anthony Ogbogbo, Ebuka 1, Ovie of Ozoro kingdom, in continuation of his consultation to traditional rulers in Delta South for his senatorial ambition.
Speaking at Ozoro, HRM Ebuka 1, Ovie of Ozoro kingdom, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers, said monarchs in the state would not forget in a hurry Uduaghan’s support for the traditional institution.
The monarchs noted that Uduaghan as a governor accorded the traditional institution its due respect and as well, raised the status of royal fathers to an enviable position in the country.
The Ozoro king added: “The other kings are here to see the man who elevated their status. You’re somebody that fought for the traditional rulers and the sanctity of our culture.”
“We (traditional rulers) in Delta State will not forget you in a hurry. You did well as a governor. You won our hearts with your issue-based speech. We pray God to grant your aspiration with a resounding victory.”
Uduaghan, while speaking during the visit to the two palaces, said he was in Isoko land to solicit the support of Isoko Nation for his senatorial race in the next month National Assembly election in Delta South.
The former governor posited he was at the palaces of the monarchs of Ozoro and Oleh to intimate them before officially flagging off his senatorial campaign in the two local government areas of Isoko North and South.
He noted that as a Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and later governor of Delta State, he is well abreast with the role traditional rulers play in ensuring peace in the state.
Uduaghan also told the monarchs that if elected as senator, he would sponsor bills and law that will give constitutional backing to the traditional institution in the country.
“As an SSG and Secretary to the State Security Council and later as a governor of the state, I know the enormous role traditional rulers play in helping to ensure peace and security.”
“One of the reasons why I am seeking your support to go to the Senate is that I believe that our traditional institution should have legal backing in their role in ensuring peace in the country.
“I also believe that as people from oil producing community, we should have a major stake in the ownership of the oil and gas companies in our communities. Through this, our communities will benefit more from the oil and gas that is derived from our area.”
“I will also push for the cleaning of impacted communities. Based on my experience as a governor, there is such much we can do to create jobs for unemployed youths in the region,” Uduaghan said.
He assured that if elected, he would periodically meet with the people of the senatorial district so that infrastructural development reach the people of the area.
The former governor, however, emphasized that as a senator, he would represent the interest of Isoko Nation and ensure that their pains are addressed by the federal government.
