AS political activities heralding next year’s general elections gather steam, the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien, has counseled Anioma governorship aspirants in Delta North senatorial district to forge bonds of unity and eschew divisiveness as they jostle for the position.
Speaking in Asaba, against the backdrop of the dominant entry of Anioma aspirants from Aniocha/Ika/Ndokwa/Oshimili in the race, all from Delta North, the Asagba, while addressing a pressure group, Anioma Media Professionals (AMP), said the Anioma quest for the governorship next year requires the collective will of the people to succeed.
The monarch noted that the various Anioma political office seekers have much to gain if they resist antagonism and politics of acrimony.
He said he was happy that majority of the aspirants had, during their consultations, agreed to play by the rules and reminded them that only one person would finally emerge successor to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.
According to Edozien, the need for a rancour-free emergence of an Anioma governor next year motivated elders of the district to initiate a comprehensive screening of the aspirants across political party boundaries, an exercise he described as satisfactory.
Reviewing Nigeria’s recent socio-economic and political developments, the Asagba described Anioma as the pride of the country, citing its indigenes that have made invaluable contributions to country’s building, including Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister of the Economy; Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor; and bankers/entrepreneurs, Messrs Jim Ovia and Tony Elumelu, among others.
He stated that though zoning of the governorship is not enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, Delta North’s bid to produce governor is understandable, for the sake of equity and the demands of mutual respect and shared destiny among the ethnic nationalities that make up the state.
He commended the recent national conference for recommending the creation of Anioma State and urged the National Assembly to make the agitation a reality to give the people a better stead in the Nigerian polity.
Mr. Ken Ogbechie, on behalf of the group, said it was a non-partisan, pan-Anioma group dedicated to propagating the norms and values of the Anioma people in every sphere of life.
Meanwhile, the group has congratulated Dr. Cairo Ojougboh on his recent emergence as the National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
It urged Ojougboh to use his new position to contribute to the development of the country, Delta State and Anioma in general for the sake of posterity.
A statement signed by Ogbechie, on behalf of the group, while lauding Ojougboh’s appointment, called on the PDP to enshrine equity in its forthcoming primary elections by ensuring that the governorship in Delta State goes round the three senatorial districts.
The group counseled the PDP National Vice Chairman to be a good representative of his people and use the opportunity to contribute his own quota to state and national development.
Ojougboh, a former member of the House of Representatives and one-time presidential aide on National Assembly, replaced Mr. Andrew Oru, now Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
