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Tag: Emmanuel Uduaghan

  • Amosun, Uduaghan, others eulogise HID Awolowo at 99

    Amosun, Uduaghan, others eulogise HID Awolowo at 99

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, his Delta State counterpart, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senator Daisy Danjuma and scores of other Nigerians, yesterday, eulogised the matriarch of Awolowo dynasty, Chief Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, at 99.

    The visitors who were in Ikenne, Ogun State, to honour Mama HID, described her as a “virtuous woman,” “mother” and “purveyor of peace”.

    Amosun, who was accompanied by his wife, Olufunso, said Mrs Awolowo was an embodiment of all that is good about a woman, adding that Nigerian women would continue to profit from her qualities as a “good wife and mother”.

    Amosun said: “As we celebrate your 99th birthday, I pray to God that we shall all be there to celebrate your centenary birthday. You signpost all that is good in womanhood.

    “You possess all the good qualities of a good wife and mother. We will continue to draw from your wealth of experience.”

    A special thanksgiving at the family chapel, Efunyela Hall, was officiated by the Bishop of Remo Diocese (Anglican Communion), Rev. Olusina Fape.

    Delivering his sermon, the Bishop of Ijebu South-West (Anglican Communion), Rev. Tunde Ogunbanwo, said longevity was a blessing and a gift from God, adding that the nonagenarian witnessed this year’s birthday because of God’s kindness and faithfulness to her.

    Ogunbanwo said: “In our country where the average life span has been put at 46, it would take the fear of God and His mercy to enjoy long life.

    “Mama HID has the fear of God in all the she does. God honours those who fear Him. He is always happy and blesses those who fear and obey him.

    “Mama, all your life, you have been enjoying the faithfulness and kindness of God. You are alive because God’s powers enable you to do so. You have received grace and mercy to celebrate today.”

    The Bishop enjoined her to continue showing gratitude to her creator for the blessings of long life till he calls her back home.

    Also at the ceremony were former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande; Ooni of Ife Oba Okunade Sijuade; Alakene of Ikenne-Remo Oba Adeyinka Onayiga; Lisa of Ondo Kingdom Chief Simeon Oguntimehin; Olori Abosede Sonariwo; Pa Olaniwun Ajayi; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Senator Anthony Adefuye, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Senator Kofoworoola Bucknor-Akerele and Chief Ebenezer Babatope, among others.

     

  • Why local govt poll is being held late, by Uduaghan

    Why local govt poll is being held late, by Uduaghan

    Delta Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan explained yesterday why it took his administration over three years to conduct local poll.

    The governor said there were legal issues when he attempted to re-constitute the board of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC), following the expiration of the tenure of the previous board in 2011.

    Uduaghan spoke in Asaba, the state capital, when he swore in the elected chairmen of the 23 of the 25 local government areas.

    The governor said his administration conducted local government polls in 2008, adding that the tenure of those elected ended in 2011.

    He said: “Sometime in 2008, we did a local government election and the tenure of the elected officials finished in 2011. Almost at the same time, the tenure of the DSIEC board also finished. In the process of putting up a new body of DSIEC, we had legal issues that stalled the process.

    “It took another year to resolve that. So, when we finally constituted the board, it took them time to settle down and about two years to conduct this election. That accounted for the three years delay in the conduct of council polls.”

     

    While urging DSIEC to fast-track the conduct of elections in the two councils of Ethiope East where the exercise was inconclusive and Ndokwa East, Dr. Uduaghan urged the newly sworn-in chairmen to consolidate on people-oriented projects of the previous administration.

    He also advised them to sustain the peace and security in their respective councils as well as key into his administration’s drive to develop the state economy without oil revenue.

    Meanwhile, the state chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has called for total cancellation of the results of the council polls, saying that they were not a true reflection of the will of the people.

    Publicity Secretary of the party, Isaac Adaka Adakpo told newsmen in Asaba that DSIEC abdicated its functions for chieftains of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) whose chairmanship candidates have been declared winners in the 23 councils.

    He alleged that the elections were fraught with violence and gross irregularities, adding that if the election results were not cancelled, the APC had overwhelming evidence to proof its case at the courts.

    His words, “DSIEC abdicated its responsibility to top government functionaries in the ruling party. That is why we will continue to say that elections would be better contested and challenged under the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’.

     

     

  • ‘Delta North’s agitations for governorship seat uncalled for’

    ‘Delta North’s agitations for governorship seat uncalled for’

    AS the jostling for who succeeds the incumbent governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan heightened, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP has said that the Delta North’s agitation for governorship position in the state is misplaced.

    In a press statement by the chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Chief Tony Erukeme, it explained that the Delta North has benefitted much in the state and should not be among the senatorial districts agitating for state governorship seat.

    Erukeme who said that Delta North is currently  playing host to the seat of government with other influential positions and appointments across the federation and should allow other senatorial districts have the same sense of belonging instead of this show of greed.

    Highlighting some of the positions he said, “Look at where the seat of power is, Asaba, now aside that, they have all the federal appointments, agencies and parastatals such as Amb. Joy Ogwu, Nigeria Ambassador to the United Nations, Prof. Sylvester Monye, Special Adviser to Mr. President on Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme, National Social Insurance Trust Fund (also SURE-P), Mr. Peter Idabor, Director General of the National Oil Spill, Detection and Response Agency and a host of others.”

     

  • Uduaghan cautions against bitterness

    Uduaghan cautions against bitterness

    Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has appealed to Nigerians to eschew bitterness and hatred as Muslims mark Eid-el-Kabir.

    In his goodwill message to Muslims, Uduaghan said peaceful co-existence and understanding among citizens was essential in the face of the prevailing security challenges in the country.

    According to him, the Eid el Kabir celebration was a period of sacrifice and reflection, stressing that Muslims should emulate the virtues of total obedience and selfless service as demonstrated by Prophet lbrahim.

    He enjoined the Muslim community “to be steadfast in promoting the virtues of lslam, which are peace, love and harmony in all their undertakings.”

    The governor stated: “I urge Nigerians to unite and always pray for peaceful co-existence and understanding and eschew bitterness and hatred on the basis of faith, ethnicityand political leanings.”

    Uduaghan said that his administration would continue to consolidate on its economic development model of Delta Beyond Oil for all- round development of the state and benefit of all inhabitants.

     

  • Delta PDP stakeholders flay Uduaghan over Obuh

    Delta PDP stakeholders flay Uduaghan over Obuh

    As the struggle for who succeeds the incumbent Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan come 2015 heightened, a group, the Assembly of Delta PDP Leaders and Stakeholders, yesterday, frowned against the alleged imposition of Mr Anthony Obuh as Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan successor.

    The group, in a statement after its emergency meeting held at Emede, Isoko South Local Government Area of the State, said there would soon be a serious political crisis in Delta PDP over the imposition of Mr Anthony Obuh by Uduaghan.

    The group in the statement by its Chairman, Chief Paul Eriri, vowed to oppose the alleged practice of imposition, which it described as “political ebola,” expressing hope that President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Tony Anenih, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu would prevail on Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to withdraw the purported endorsement of Mr Anthony Obuh.

    Meanwhile, a member of the PDP in Isoko South Local Government Area, Mr Lucky Akpezi described the allegation of Mr Obuh’s imposition by Governor Uduaghan as false, saying that Obuh he knows is running as an independent aspirant just like every other aspirants.

    Insisting that Mr Anthony Obuh is not a candidate of Governor Uduaghan, Akpezi said: “Obuh is a Deltan and he is very qualified to govern the State giving his years of experience in the public service.”

  • 2015: Power shift agitations divide Delta PDP

    2015: Power shift agitations divide Delta PDP

    There is division in the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the agitation for power shift to the North Senatorial District. An ethnic group, Urhobo, is spearheading the clamour for zoning. But, other ethnic groups are agitating for primaries for governorship aspirants from the three districts. Correspondent POLYCARP OROSEVWOTU writes on the clash of interests. 

    The agitation for power shift to the Delta North Senatorial District started in 2011, shortly after Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan begun his second term in office. In the last three and half years, politicians from the zone have intensified the campaign for zone, based on the principles of equity, fairness and justice.

    However, other zones have been indifferent to the agitations. Stakeholders from Central and South districts are of the view that the North is a permanent beneficiary of the creation of the state because it hosts the state capital. Besides, they point out that many Deltas from the North had benefitted from major appointments at state and federal levels.

    The three districts are mounting pressures on the governor, but for different reasons. Urhobos from the North have urged him to support the agitation for power shift. But, the other zones are insisting on an-all inclusive approach, saying that aspirants from the three zones should compete for the slot at the primaries. Uduaghan is said to be reflecting and brainstorming on these antagonistic demands by the different ethnic groups.

    Few months ago, there were speculations that the governor was projecting some aspirants as his likely successor. But, a source said, they were dropped, following objections by some influential leaders. Aspirants from the zone include former Secretary to Government Chief Ovie Omo-Agege, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Victor Ochei and Chief Tony Obuh.

    Following his declaration of interest, eyes have been on Obuh, the retired Permanent Secretary. His campaign train has rolled into the three districts.  Prominent associates of the governor, including the Speaker of House of Assembly, Chief Ovuozorie Macaulay, Chief Ayiri Emami, the Majority Leader, Hon. Monday Igbuya, Majority leader, and Jaro Egbo, have been selling him to party chieftains.

    Recently, the Ijaw national Leader, Senator Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, also sent a strong message to the governor. He Uduaghan cannot single handedly shape the succession process. When he hosted some aspirants in Kiagbodo, Burutu local government area, he said the next governor will be the product of all stakeholders.

    However, events since then have taken a new dimension. At Uvwie, the home of the PDP chieftain, Hon. Henry Baro, Chief Imami disclosed that the Obuh is the choice of the governor. The legislator from Sapele Constituency, Hon. Monday Igbuya, and many chieftains were present there.

    Many PDP leaders were taken aback by the disclosure, which has not been confirmed or denied by the governor. To them, Uduaghan has started to project a puppet or a stooge as his successor, without consultations with the leaders of diverse ethnic nationalities. They also frowned at the attempt to establish the Ibori/Uduaghan dynasty, warning that the implication is that only few leaders would be foisting their agenda on the state.

    Sources said that the governor may have settled for Obuh, following a sober reflection. “He is interested in continuity of his people-oriented programmes and policies. He believes in the competence of Obuh. But, it cannot be said that he has totally made up his mind. I don’t think he can anoint a successor without carrying the leaders along,” he added.

    Since the Third Republic, elections in Delta State have been a fierce battle. Before Chief Felix Ibru, Chief James Ibori and Uduaghan could breast the tape, there were titanic struggles. Also, the slot had always been competed for by the three zones, with the ruling parties providing a level playing field for aspirants.

    In the Third Republic, under the proscribed Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ibru from the Central and Chief Austin Egbo from the North contested at the primaries. There was no agitation for zoning. Also, Ibori contested in 1999, Chief Obielu from the North and Dr Mike Chigue from Delta South equally contested with him. In 2011, Uduaghan from the  South, Okowa from the North, Omo-Agege of the Central and others contested with him.

    According to politicians from the South and Central, zoning has never shaped the selection process in the PDP, adding that it has always been a battle for the survival of the fittest. But,the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) disagreed with stakeholders from the two zones.

    Politicians from the North and Central have maintained that the North, particularly Anioma, is not marginalised. Apart from hosting the state capital, the North has produced big wigs who are beneficiary of major appointments. They include Ambassador Joy Ogwu, the Nigeria Ambassador to the United Nations, Prof. Sylvester Monye, the Special Adviser to Mr. President on Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme, the National Social Insurance Trust Fund Chairman, and Mr. Peter Idabor, the Director-General of the National Oil Spill, Detection and Response Agency.

    Others are Prof. Epiphany Azinge, Director-General of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Dr. Cairo Ojuogbo, Chairman, Export and Processing Zone, Calabar, Dr. Eugine Juwah, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO Nigeria Communication Commission, Dr. (Mrs.) Esther Uduahi, Chairman of the Board of National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, Engr. Gabriel Amuchi, Managing Director of the Federal Roads Maintainers Agency (FERMA), Mrs. Mariam Ali, Special Assistant to the President on Inter-Government Relation, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Dr. (Mrs.)  Ngozi Okonjo Iwela, the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy.

    However, UPU said argued that the North deserved the slot as compensation for its bloc vote for President Goodluck Jonathan. In 2011, the president garnered over 800,000 votes from the area.

    Besides, the group pointed out that the Urhobo from the North have not produced the governor since 1999. Ibori is from the Central and Uduaghan is from the South.

    According to observers, if the North succeeds in its agitation for power shift, it may not be able to prevent the imposition of the candidate for next year’s election. The endorsement of Obuh may not go down well with other aspirants, including Okowa, Ochei, Dr. Festus Okubor, Prof Sylvester Monye, Hon. Elumelu, Chief Ubielum, and Chief Peter Okocha.

    A source said that these aggrieved aspirants are not indifferent to the power of the governor to install a successor. But, they may gang up against him at the primaries and attempt to frustrate his ambition. For example, Okowa believes that he should be the next candidate because he was prevailed upon by Ibori to step down for Uduaghan in 2007.

    At the weekend, some party chieftains warned against imposition, adding that it may create a crack on the wall. “We now have an opposition party in Delta State and, if we don’t handle our primaries well, the APC is there. We should put our house in order.”

    Another chieftain said: “There is agitation for zoning. There is also another agitation against zoning. The PDP has structures. We have elders. We have a national leadership. Already, it can be said that crisis is brewing. But, the there will be a solution, if we are ready to embrace truth, fair play, reconciliation and justice. Times are changing and we should be sensitive.”

     

     

     

     

  • 2015: Power shift agitations divide Delta PDP

    There is division in the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the agitation for power shift to the North Senatorial District. An ethnic group, Urhobo, is spearheading the clamour for zoning. But, other ethnic groups are agitating for primaries for governorship aspirants from the three districts. Correspondent POLYCARP OROSEVWOTU writes on the clash of interests. 

    The agitation for power shift to the Delta North Senatorial District started in 2011, shortly after Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan begun his second term in office. In the last three and half years, politicians from the zone have intensified the campaign for zone, based on the principles of equity, fairness and justice.

    However, other zones have been indifferent to the agitations. Stakeholders from Central and South districts are of the view that the North is a permanent beneficiary of the creation of the state because it hosts the state capital. Besides, they point out that many Deltas from the North had benefitted from major appointments at state and federal levels.

    The three districts are mounting pressures on the governor, but for different reasons. Urhobos from the North have urged him to support the agitation for power shift. But, the other zones are insisting on an-all inclusive approach, saying that aspirants from the three zones should compete for the slot at the primaries. Uduaghan is said to be reflecting and brainstorming on these antagonistic demands by the different ethnic groups.

    Few months ago, there were speculations that the governor was projecting some aspirants as his likely successor. But, a source said, they were dropped, following objections by some influential leaders. Aspirants from the zone include former Secretary to Government Chief Ovie Omo-Agege, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Victor Ochei and Chief Tony Obuh.

    Following his declaration of interest, eyes have been on Obuh, the retired Permanent Secretary. His campaign train has rolled into the three districts.  Prominent associates of the governor, including the Speaker of House of Assembly, Chief Ovuozorie Macaulay, Chief Ayiri Emami, the Majority Leader, Hon. Monday Igbuya, Majority leader, and Jaro Egbo, have been selling him to party chieftains.

    Recently, the Ijaw national Leader, Senator Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, also sent a strong message to the governor. He Uduaghan cannot single handedly shape the succession process. When he hosted some aspirants in Kiagbodo, Burutu local government area, he said the next governor will be the product of all stakeholders.

    However, events since then have taken a new dimension. At Uvwie, the home of the PDP chieftain, Hon. Henry Baro, Chief Imami disclosed that the Obuh is the choice of the governor. The legislator from Sapele Constituency, Hon. Monday Igbuya, and many chieftains were present there.

    Many PDP leaders were taken aback by the disclosure, which has not been confirmed or denied by the governor. To them, Uduaghan has started to project a puppet or a stooge as his successor, without consultations with the leaders of diverse ethnic nationalities. They also frowned at the attempt to establish the Ibori/Uduaghan dynasty, warning that the implication is that only few leaders would be foisting their agenda on the state.

    Sources said that the governor may have settled for Obuh, following a sober reflection. “He is interested in continuity of his people-oriented programmes and policies. He believes in the competence of Obuh. But, it cannot be said that he has totally made up his mind. I don’t think he can anoint a successor without carrying the leaders along,” he added.

    Since the Third Republic, elections in Delta State have been a fierce battle. Before Chief Felix Ibru, Chief James Ibori and Uduaghan could breast the tape, there were titanic struggles. Also, the slot had always been competed for by the three zones, with the ruling parties providing a level playing field for aspirants.

    In the Third Republic, under the proscribed Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ibru from the Central and Chief Austin Egbo from the North contested at the primaries. There was no agitation for zoning. Also, Ibori contested in 1999, Chief Obielu from the North and Dr Mike Chigue from Delta South equally contested with him. In 2011, Uduaghan from the  South, Okowa from the North, Omo-Agege of the Central and others contested with him.

    According to politicians from the South and Central, zoning has never shaped the selection process in the PDP, adding that it has always been a battle for the survival of the fittest. But,the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) disagreed with stakeholders from the two zones.

    Politicians from the North and Central have maintained that the North, particularly Anioma, is not marginalised. Apart from hosting the state capital, the North has produced big wigs who are beneficiary of major appointments. They include Ambassador Joy Ogwu, the Nigeria Ambassador to the United Nations, Prof. Sylvester Monye, the Special Adviser to Mr. President on Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme, the National Social Insurance Trust Fund Chairman, and Mr. Peter Idabor, the Director-General of the National Oil Spill, Detection and Response Agency.

    Others are Prof. Epiphany Azinge, Director-General of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Dr. Cairo Ojuogbo, Chairman, Export and Processing Zone, Calabar, Dr. Eugine Juwah, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO Nigeria Communication Commission, Dr. (Mrs.) Esther Uduahi, Chairman of the Board of National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, Engr. Gabriel Amuchi, Managing Director of the Federal Roads Maintainers Agency (FERMA), Mrs. Mariam Ali, Special Assistant to the President on Inter-Government Relation, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Dr. (Mrs.)  Ngozi Okonjo Iwela, the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy.

    However, UPU said argued that the North deserved the slot as compensation for its bloc vote for President Goodluck Jonathan. In 2011, the president garnered over 800,000 votes from the area.

    Besides, the group pointed out that the Urhobo from the North have not produced the governor since 1999. Ibori is from the Central and Uduaghan is from the South.

    According to observers, if the North succeeds in its agitation for power shift, it may not be able to prevent the imposition of the candidate for next year’s election. The endorsement of Obuh may not go down well with other aspirants, including Okowa, Ochei, Dr. Festus Okubor, Prof Sylvester Monye, Hon. Elumelu, Chief Ubielum, and Chief Peter Okocha.

    A source said that these aggrieved aspirants are not indifferent to the power of the governor to install a successor. But, they may gang up against him at the primaries and attempt to frustrate his ambition. For example, Okowa believes that he should be the next candidate because he was prevailed upon by Ibori to step down for Uduaghan in 2007.

    At the weekend, some party chieftains warned against imposition, adding that it may create a crack on the wall. “We now have an opposition party in Delta State and, if we don’t handle our primaries well, the APC is there. We should put our house in order.”

    Another chieftain said: “There is agitation for zoning. There is also another agitation against zoning. The PDP has structures. We have elders. We have a national leadership. Already, it can be said that crisis is brewing. But, the there will be a solution, if we are ready to embrace truth, fair play, reconciliation and justice. Times are changing and we should be sensitive.

  • Niger Delta will push for increased derivation – Uduaghan

    Niger Delta will push for increased derivation – Uduaghan

    Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has declared that the people of the Niger Delta would remain undaunted in their quest for increased derivation from the Federation Account, despite the stalemate on increased derivation at the just concluded National Conference.

    He said the region would continue to push for more funds.

    Uduaghan made the remarks while receiving the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru, in Asaba recently.

    Oru was accompanied by political leaders of Urhobo extraction, including the Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN).

    Uduaghan explained that the agitation of the Niger Delta region was not borne out of insensitivity and greed, but because of the huge fund required to remedy the devastation and pollution to the environment occasioned by the activities of oil firms.

    The governor appealed for understanding from all Nigerians on the region’s developmental challenges, which the current 13 per cent derivation could not adequately address.

    He said, “Let me appeal to our brothers outside the Niger Delta that what we have presently is not close enough to what is required to address the challenges of development we have in the region .”

    Uduaghan noted that although the 50 per cent the delegates to the conference demanded was not achieved because of the stalemate, he stressed, “we shall not give up asking for more for this region.”

     

  • I was his shoe shine boy -Uduaghan

    I was his shoe shine boy -Uduaghan

    Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has disclosed that he was the late war hero’s shoe shine boy  in Sapele during the Nigerian Civil War.

    The governor had in an interview in 2012 told an online publication, www.todaysnigeria.com: “My father was Chief Edmund Dudu Uduaghan. He died some years back. He was a policeman for several years. He retired as Inspector after 33 years in the Police Force and became a chief of the Warri kingdom.

    “I remember an incident during the Nigerian Civil War when the Biafran soldiers occupied part of Midwest. All the policemen sent their families home. Because when the Biafran soldiers come, the first place they capture is the police station. They were there for some weeks until the federal soldiers came to liberate Sapele. Since the whole family had gone to the village, I was the only one living with him in the barracks.

    “Opposite where we were staying was the Inspectors’ House which Brigadier-Gen. Benjamin Adekunle took over and was staying there. For the few days he stayed there, he would bring his boots out and I would go and pick it and clean it and shine it, because he said he loved the way I used to shine my father’s shoes.”

     

  • Uduaghan mourns Igwe

    Uduaghan mourns Igwe

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has commiserated with the family of renowned columnist and Vice-Chairman of theSun Newspapers, Pastor Dimgba Igwe.

    He said in a statement by his Press Secretary, Felix Ofou that the death was a big blow to the media, fans and readers as well as lovers of truth worldwide.

    Uduaghan said: “Dimgba Igwe’s Sideview column in the Daily Sun is well respected and has a large following.

    “When he wrote about our modest efforts at transforming Delta State, many people took note. I believe that article and others written by those who attended the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) conference in Asaba last year set the tone for the awards we have received in the last one year.

    “I take this loss as personal. It is also a loss to Delta since the wife is from our state. He was a dependable partner and we were looking forward to more fruitful relationship before death struck.

    “I sympathise with the family, the board, management and workers of the Sun and the media on this painful loss. I share in their moments of grief.”