Over 40 aspirants formed coalition in Delta State to wrestle power from incumbents

 By Akpokona Omafuaire

WARRI - IN their bid to wrestle powers from the incumbents, over 40 Progressive Minded Aspirants in Delta State weekend formed a coalition under the banner of “THIRD FORCE" with intent to run under one political umbrella.

This was revealed at the end of a meeting held by the coalition on Saturday 25 August, 2018 at Casa De Pedro Hotel, Effurun.

According to a communique signed by the aspirants, "Having realized the need for a united credible alternative, the underlisted aspirants for the 2019 elections under the following parties in Delta state (AAC, ADC, ADP, Labour, PPA, SDP, YPP etc.) have resolved to work together as a platform under a united *THIRD FORCE* for Delta State.

"We commit to present to the Delta State electorates 44 credible consensus candidates - 1 Governorship & Deputy Governorship Candidates, 3 Senatorial Candidates, 10 House of Fed House of Representatives Candidates, 29 Delta State House of Assembly Candidates.

"We frown at, condemn and reject the exorbitant fees being charged for Expression of Interest and Nomination forms by some political parties as it is retrogressive and an unnecessary financial burden on aspirants and negates the principle of Youth inclusion in the democratic process.

"The *THIRD FORCE* is ready and willing to adopt a political party that shall waive the aforementioned fees and present a vibrant, patriotic and credible Nigerian, as its Presidential Candidate.

"We assure the good people of Delta State that the *THIRD FORCE* shall present credible candidates that will provide purposeful leadership when elected in 2019."

 

The meeting was attended by the following Aspirants; Efeturi Cyprian Emeriewen – Governor (YPP), Frank Ufuoma Esanubi – Governor (ADP) Regina E. Oke – Senate, Delta South, Jerry O. Udomah – Fed House of Rep Ndokwa/Ukwani (SDP), Prince Igho Sadjere – Fed House of Rep Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie (ADP), Akpokona Omafuaire – Fed House of Rep Ughelli/Udu (ADC).

Others are; Gloria Oghenerioborue Umukotete – Fed House of Rep Ughelli/Udu (PPA), Edafe Unuezi Oduh – Fed House of Rep Isoko (ADP), Austine Oghogho Okakor – Fed House of Rep Isoko (SDP), Yerindideke Mulade – Fed House of Rep Bomadi/Patani (SDP), Kennedy Markson Sanene – Fed House of Rep Bomadi/Patani (ADP), Chuks Okpunor – DTHA Aniocha South (ADP), Anthony E. Okubo – DTHA Bomadi (ADP).

Tam Oburumu – DTHA Bomadi (YPP), Moses Yerins Fiemotonghan – DTHA Burutu 1 (ADP), Binebai Beecroft – DTHA Burutu 1 (YPP), Dike Amen Millah  – DTHA Burutu (ADC), Maxwell Ogor – DTHA Isoko South 1 (ADP), Godfrey Ovie – DTHA Isoko 1 (Labour), Orevaoghene McDonald Olodia – DTHA Isoko South 2 (PPA), Ikemefuna Anyasi – DTHA Oshimili North (ADP), Kingsley Ehensiri Akpederin – DTHA Sapele (ADP), Destiny Onojaine – DTHA Sapele (YPP), Andrew Ukpebitere – DTHA Ughelli North 1 (Labour), Igho Ruona Ugbegu – DTHA Ughelli North 1 (SDP) were also present.

Paul Okparohwo Omuophu – DTHA Ughelli South (ADP), Blessing Owhe – DTHA Ughelli South (PPA), David Enawore – DTHA Uvwie (AAC), Omayeli Okotie Omayeli – DTHA Warri North (YPP), Barry Eboma – DTHA Warri South 1 (YPP), Armstrong Yomere (Rep) – DTHA Warri South 1 (ADC) and Amorighoye Otah (Rep) - DTHA Warri South 2 (SDP) also attended.

The coalition vows to deploy drones, apps and modern technology to combat election rigging in order to secure victory for its members.

The movement promised to use modern campaign strategies to combat the known electoral methods being used by the opponents.

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Uduaghan prays for Okowa on birthday

WARRI - THE immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has prayed for wisdom, patience and spirit of discernment for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to pilot the affairs of the state and that of his party at this critical period as his birthday wishes.

Uduaghan, a dedicated Baptist offered the prayers yesterday in his social media Facebook message to Okowa.

The birthday which had many follow up birthday wishes read,  "Happy birthday to my brother, friend and Governor,  HE Sen.(Dr) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Governor of Delta State.

"You are celebrating your birthday this year at a very critical period  in the history of our dear country,  Nigeria. A period in which multiple security challenges have become a source of concern. 

"A period in which religious harmony has become a challenge. A period of build up in political activities that will eventually lead to elections. 

"As the Governor of Delta State, and a leading member of the main opposition party, the PDP, you are going to be involved in critical decisions and activities that will stabilise this nation. 

"It is my sincere prayers that the Grace and Mercy of God will give you the wisdom, critical mind, knowledge, patience & the spirit of discernment to be a major contributor in seeing the nation through. 

"May God also equip you with a lot of wisdom to lead Delta State through this period. Happy celebration."

Uduaghan adjudged as the most polished politician in Delta State, had earlier on Saturday wished his senatorial rival Sen. James Manager, great birthday wishes.

Despite the alleged ill treatments Uduaghan has been accorded by his party leadership, he still exudes love and patience, an act that draw people to him daily.

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Use social media for development as Isoko is doing, Uduaghan charges Delta ethnic groups

WARRI - THE immediate past Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan yesterday narrated how Isoko people have put Facebook to judicious use and as instrument of development, urging others to learn from it.

The former Governor made the explanation while paying tribute to the Advocacy Group on his Facebook account.

It could be recalled that Uduaghan as a Governor gave Umeh, an agrarian Isoko community a 7km road and school projects through a Facebook advocacy group, Umeh Needs Road.

According to him, "I had opened my Facebook sometime back. I was not really active on it. As Governor, I used to go in once in a while, but hardly posted anything serious and hardly contributed to debates. My friends where quite few. 

"Some time in August 2011, I remember accepting a friend request from One “Duncan”. I thought it was the same Duncan that gave me headache in my 1st election ( that Duncan is my friend now). It turned out to be Barr Afahokor Akpovienehe Duncan, whom l did not even know then. 

"While looking through his posts, I saw a message "If the 7km road to Umeh is tarred, the agricultural produce from Umeh can feed Nigeria" (May not be the exact words he used). That message attracted my attention and I started exchanging messages with him. 

"By the next day, when I came back to my Facebook page, he had opened a Facebook group called "Umeh Needs Road" (UNR). I immediately joined and the debate on the road started. I was up until about 3am from about 11pm. Some of the participants doubted if I was the one personally handling the page.

"Anyway, by 3am I had made up my mind to personally go and check the road by morning. I put a call through to my SSG that night and by about 9am that morning, we were on the Umeh road. 

"However, we couldn't go far because the road was virtually not passable. That was the beginning of the process that led to the construction of the road/bridge, that involved virtually everyone in the group. 

"The day to day info on the construction was always in the group. Some other issues outside the road were also raised, which I or my officials had to respond to. The Umeh people were deeply involved and they were enthusiastic. They also got a brand new school.

"Fast track to early this year, there was the  1% only budget provision for Isoko. I understand that the Isoko Monitoring Group, had alerted UNR officials on this. Immediately UNR started the ADVOCACY and every Isoko son and daughter got involved. 

"The result? Again the Delta State Governor -Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, was forced to come down to Isoko. Today, the gain is the on-going construction of Erowa and Irri Grammar School roads, and of course resumption of work on the Asaba-Ughelli dualisation.

"As I sat at the commissioning of Isoko House at Oleh on Saturday, it occurred to me that UNR had again brought the Governor, closer to the Isoko people, as the early completion of the Isoko House was also one of the gains of that advocacy. 

“Social media ADVOCACY through UNR brought two Governors to Isoko. UNR has been involved in other areas of advocacy especially on health issues.

"In UNR, there are well laid down rules and regulations. No insults, no hate posts, no abusive words, no blackmail, no rumour mongering. 

"There are lessons for all of us to learn from the success of UNR in advocacy. Either as individuals or groups, let our social media advocacy yield positive results because around the world, it is constructive engagement that brings about government or international agencies’ attention.”

DELTA 2019: My aspirations is not ethnic based - UDUAGHAN

WARRI - IMMEDIATE past governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan yesterday, said his aspiration to represent the people of Delta South senatorial district is not ethnic based but anchored on his capacity.

The former governor also proffered solution to the Niger Delta agitation stressing that laws should be made by the national assembly to ensure the protection of host communities in the region.

Speaking during a media parley with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalist, NUJ, Warri correspondent chapel, Uduaghan hinted with the political equation of the three ethnic groups in the district, “It is the turn of the Itsekiri nation to produce the next senator representing the district come 2019.”

He said: “I have decided to run but I have not declared yet. The reason I have decided to run for senate is because I have the capacity, knowledge, experience and contacts to do the needful in the senate.

“This is not anchored on the fact that am an Itsekiri, as I would be representing not just the Itsekiri nation but the Ijaw and Isoko nation. Having contested election in 25 local government areas, I believe contesting elections in 8 local councils would not be stressful.”

Suggesting ideas for lasting peace in the Niger Delta, the former governor hinted that the need to enact laws that would protect the host communities in the region, saying, “Without these laws, it would be difficult to achieve peace in the region.”

He said: “Though not everyone would be happy with these laws, in the long run, everyone in the country would benefit because there would be peace in the Niger Delta leading to an increase in oil production.”

Omafuaire gets kinsmen blessings for his aspiration

House of Representatives Aspirant for Ughelli /Udu federal constituency, Comrade Akpokona Omafuaire yesterday, 8th April, 2018 at his home town, Akperhe-Olomu in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State officially gets his community blessings and support for his ambition.

Speaking before the several hundred brethren of his kinsmen made up of elderly men and  women as well as youths, the seasoned journalist stated that he was in the race to effectively represent the people.

He maintained that he was in the race to liberate the people from the grip of poor leadership, inept representation that have held the people captive for a long time.

The quintessential Omafuaire stated that with their support,mobilization and prayers, he is assured of victory.

While praying for him on behalf of the community, Pa Isaac Efekunu prayed that God almighty would bless and guide him, protect and secure victory for him.

Earlier Pastor Solomon Diemukaye assisted by Pastor ThankGod Oyibu held a powerful prayer section declaring Omafuaire victory ahead.

The large and overwhelming turnout and participation in the meeting is a clear indication that his ambition is highly supported by his people.
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Reps hopeful charges youths to probe political leaders on stewardship

By Ibebe Rufus Akpobome

UGHELLI - PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP,  House of Representatives hopeful for Udu/Ughelli Federal Constituency, Comrade Akpokona Omafuaire has urged youths to task their representatives to give account of their stewardship. 

Omafuaire made the call Friday in Ughelli, Delta State, during a meeting with youths from the constituency.

He noted that the poor representation being witnessed in the constituency was due to lack of accountability by those in public offices. 

The youth, the aspiring Rep Member noted, owe a duty to X-ray their representatives' performance against the achievements of their counterparts in other constituencies.

"Ask them how much they have received over the years and how much is the worth of projects they have executed. You will be ashamed as to the stark realities. You must raise pertinent questions if we will move forward.

"Check the worth and quality of the projects they have executed, look at their various budgets because we are determined for positive change." Omafuaire added. 

He charged the youths against collecting meal tickets from desperate politicians who have failed woefully and are doing everything in last minute rush to induce support.

The fiery Journalist tasked the youths and indeed all constituents to question the last minute projects being executed in their domain to ascertain their worth and quality.

Omafuaire revealed that the wind of change about to blow must be youth driven. "Stop defending their failures, and instead ask them to give account of their stewardship." he stressed. 

He promised to give effective and efficient representation if given the mandate to represent the constituency. 

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NUJ Delta throws weight behind Omafuaire

ASABA - THE Delta State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists yesterday in Asaba, the State Capital threw its weight behind the candidature of one of its members contesting the House of Representatives seat for Ughelli and Udu Federal Constituency Comrade Akpokona Omafuaire.

The Union at its congress in Asaba welcomed the idea of one of its members taking a shot at the exalted green chambers,  saying that it would make formal declaration on Omafuaire's ambition.

Comrade Michael Ikeogwu during the Congress called on all journalists in the State to see Omafuaire election as a duty for all. He added that if others are qualified to run for such office, a journalist is even more qualified to be supported.

He noted that Omafuaire who is also a Senior Journalist cum  lawyer stand the chances of making it as the former National President of the NUJ,  Senator Smart Adeyemi who led the union and did creditably well at the red chambers.

Ikeogwu urged all journalists in the state to give Omafuaire campaign a wide coverage as the project will enhance the growth of the Union.

Other members who spoke extol the rare qualities of Omafuaire and stated that they are optimistic that Omafuaire is the real deal,  calling on all political leaders in the State to support Omafuaire.

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