DELTA State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has pulled out from the race for Delta South Senatorial seat citing the need for a peaceful electoral process and transition.

Addressing a press conference in Asaba to announce his withdrawal, Governor Uduaghan observed that his withdrawal from the Senatorial race was in the general interest of the state and democracy at large.

According to him, “the first agenda of my administration is peace and security and I will not do anything that will threaten the peace, I am determined to bequeath a peaceful state, the worst thing that can happen is to be part of the security challenges. I have offered to step down from the Senatorial race to ensure that the tension is reduced and in the overall interest of peace and security in the state.”

“I bought my forms, I have been screened and cleared for the Senatorial seat and as the person in charge at the state level, I have always appealed that elections must not be a do or die affair, unfortunately, there have been a lot of political and ethnic tension that is threatening the peace and security of the state, which has been noticed even at the national level,” the Governor said.

‎He emphasized, “anybody who believes he must get to a position with the loss of life is inhuman, I will not want to have anything that will lead to the loss of life, now that I am out of the race, it gives me more leverage to manage the transition and more time to be involved in national issues.”

While commending his teaming supporters for their unflinching loyalty and support, Dr Uduaghan stated that the interest of the state supersedes personal interest.

Fielding questions from journalists, Governor Uduaghan disclosed that he was not forced to withdraw from the senatorial race, reiterating, “nobody has forced me to step down, I owe it to Deltans for the peace and security of the state.”

Shortly after the announcement, the governor’s rating among a cross section of Deltans increased as he was variously hailed for his act of statesmanship and maturity in the interest of the state and democracy.