By Theophilus Onojeghen-Warri
LAGOS SEPTEMBER 23RD (URHOBOTODAY)-A three term Federal House of Representative legislator and Delta Central Senatorial aspirant in the October 5th bye-election, Rt. Hon Halims Oghenechuko Agoda has said the decision of the ruling organs of the People Democratic Party (PDP) both at the state and federal level is supreme, vowing to massively support any candidate the party shall present for the election.
Hon. Agoda, who is also a lawyer with over twenty years experience stated that he would abide by the party’s decision that he should step down.
The three term lawmaker who until now represented the people of Ethiope -East and West at the Federal House of Representatives stated this while addressing his supporters and some PDP leaders from the eight Local Government Councils of Delta Central at his country home of Jesse, Ethiope West.
He noted that his withdrawal has nothing to do with his competence to effectively and efficiently represent the people of Delta Central, but opted out of the race because as a good party man he must respect the decision reached by respected organs of the party.
He added that his decision was formed by series of meeting and consultations with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and leaders of the party who prevailed on him to work with a consensus candidate from Ughelli Federal constituency to complete the reminder of the senatorial tenure left behind by Late Senator Akpor Ewherido.
According to the former House Representative Committee Chairman on Air Force, Legislative Budget and Research, “for the election f the senate that is coming up next month, I participated, but the we(aspirants) have addressed that Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency where our son, Senator Ewherido (who has gone to the great beyond) comes to have their tenure completed.
“And such decision taken by the party I will respect it. The decision of the governor (Uduaghan), I will respect because Delta Central and the Urhobo Nation needs to belong to the main stream politics of the country. I have given my firm commitment to the party that I will work for whosesoever the candidate may be.”
Agoda noted that to avert in-house fighting, he has called his team of supporters spread all across the eight LGAs on recent development and also to get them inform and ready for the election.
While warning aspirants for the election not to create a tense atmosphere that could jettison the progress and peace of the Urhobo Nation, he added that, PDP would work hard to clinch the seat from the hands of opposition in the September 5th election.
“Whosoever the party might present, we will work for that person. Whoever the governor of this state and federal government shall present we would all work for that person, because we know the party will put down a credible person .So on behalf of my people; I am pledging that we will deliver that person when the time comes.
We would not want the election to be tensed, but we should be able to explain to people what the PDP led government at local, state and federal government levels have done in the past and what is on the pipe line for the people. From now till the election time, I am going to be here support the party’s candidate. We will work together as one big party and as a family.
On marginalization of the Urhobo Nation by President Goodluck Jonathan led federal government, Hon. Agoda observed that “there is no doubt we actually want in the government for theUrhobos more infrastructural development in terms of roads, hospitals, employments and, indeed a ministerial slut. Urhobo is the fifth largest ethnic nationality in the country. And in terms of economic contribution, we have oil and gas. We are also noted for agricultural production. So we need fair share that comes from the national level.
“Whoever that is going to the senate today should be able to put things together and canvass thoroughly the feelings and aspirations of the Urhobos together with our representatives at the House representatives to draw the attention of the federal government to the suffering of the Urhobo Nation.”
The thank you meeting attracted several political big wings in the eight LGAs like Hon. Julius Ogboru, brother to Chief Great Ogboru; Hon. Akpomiemie Anthony, a former Delta State commissioner for Power and Energy; Dr. Wilson Omene, former chairman Ethiope West; Chief Solomon Opiepie; Hon Godwin Atose, former Sapele local government chairman; Chief Dimu Makuniyi; Chief Steven Ikewun, a retired deputy police commissioner; Hon. Eddy Onosuoren, PDP leader from Udu Local government; Vice Chairman PDP ,Delta Central; Chief John Willy-Ashogbo; Com. Donatus Emese among others.
Also speaking at the gathering Hon. Eddy Onosuoren from Udu Local Government described Hon. Agoda acceptance of PDP directive as a show of high understanding and humility, urging Agoda’s followers to continue to work for the success of the party at the election.
On his part, Chief Julius Ogboru, noted that with present PDP political structure in Delta Central “whoever the party chooses is the winner of the bye election. We have collective force to win the election.”
Chief John Willy-Ashogbo, a PDP stalwart in Uvwie Local Government Area described the choice of Hon. Emmanuel Agwariavwodo as a welcome development for the people of Delta Central, asking other PDP aspirants to emulate the show of humility displayed by Hon Agoda to ensure the party comes victorious at the election.