Uduaghan Gives Reason for Joining APC
Former Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, has given a reason why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the ruling All Progressives Congress APC.
Uduaghan On Wednesday in a statement titled “Moving On To The Bigger Playing Field”, said President Muhammadu Buhari’s “passionate” interest for the development of the Niger Delta region was what made him to join APC.
He, therefore, called on leaders of Niger Delta to support efforts being made by the Buhari’s administration to bringing lasting peace to the area, stating that his defection to the APC was to offer such support.
The former governor who is contesting the Delta South Senatorial District in 2019, also who appreciated leaders and members of PDP who urged him to stay.
Uduaghan said despite the president not getting 25 percent in the 2015 election in the region, he has not relented in developing Niger Delta.
Stating: “Since the inception of the current All Progressives Congress, APC, the administration at the federal level, there has been an encouraging interest and activities by President Muhammadu Buhari to bring a permanent solution to the Niger Delta crisis. This has pointed in a direction that is at once progressive and developmental.
“Topmost in these activities are the ‘Engagement Processes.’ Rather than using the military to harass our people, the Buhari administration has embarked on various engagement processes that have led to agreements and brought hope to the people of the Niger Delta. In the last years, Mr. President has personally engaged several regional leaders and youths. Senior officials of his administration also engaged many Niger Delta leaders and youths.
“Very significant is that Mr. President mandated the Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN, to visit virtually all the oil-producing states, engaging various stakeholders. This is unprecedented in the history of the region. Such engagement processes have brought some measure of peace in the Niger Delta. Things can only get better.
“In this era of partisan politics, it is necessary for the people of the Niger Delta, and Delta State in particular, to identify more with the Federal Government led by the APC. By so doing, we can push some of the agreements between our leaders and the Federal Government through, and also engage the government to do more. Politics is about interests.
“The Niger Delta is a major area of interest for me because I staked my life going into the creeks severally without security and sometimes coming back at night negotiating peace. I will, therefore, give the strongest support to any President that shows commitment in the affairs of the Niger Delta. I call on, and enjoin, other well-meaning leaders in the region, who have very useful contributions to make, to come on board and join hands in helping this Federal Government to pursue a robust development agenda that would uplift our people. Whatever milestone that appears not to have been achieved yet is not for lack of efforts. Joining hands with and supporting the process will lead to a faster delivery on expectations.
“It is in the pursuit of this noble objective that I’m offering myself to help drive a process that would give the lives of our people in the Niger Delta more meaning. President Muhammadu Buhari needs people who will join hands with him to uplift our people. From my political experience, you have to be well represented and actively so at the “boardroom” when decisions are being taken. Delta State must be well represented. Niger Delta must be well represented.
“I have, therefore, after a series of consultations and prayers, taken the decision to leave the PDP and join the APC. In doing this, I want to thank the numerous leaders, supporters and interest groups that have been urging me to remain in PDP. I am happy that after explaining some of the deeper issues to you, some of you that our politicians have agreed to join the APC in the near future.
“So I am going into APC as “John the Baptist” to the numerous Deltans that are coming in, soon – very soon”, he stated.