Feb Polls: 500 Isoko Indigenes Endorse Jonathan, Okowa, Other PDP Candidates
By Nelson Egware
No fewer than 500 people from Ozoro Kingdom, the headquarters of Isoko North Local Government has resolved to vote en mass for all PDP candidates in the February 14th and 28th General elections.
A statement made available to URHOBOTODAY explained that after crucial meeting of no fewer 500 prominent sons and daughters of Ozoro Kingdom, stakeholders, opinion leaders and community leaders drawn from the five quarters of the kingdom among whom were Chiefs, Edion, Egwaya, youths at the country home of the Deputy Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Leo Okuweh Ogor, thy resolved to cast their votes enmass for all PDP candidates in the forth coming election.
In his opening speech, the PDP Campaign Coordinator in Isoko North Local Government Hon. Ovie Oghoore urged the people of Ozoro to vote for all PDP candidates starting from President Goodluck Jonathan, Senator James Manager and Rt. Hon. Leo Okuweh Ogor on February 14th, while also soliciting for their total support for PDP Governorship candidate Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa and Hon. Barrister Tim Kome Owhefere on February 28th.
In his address to the gathering, the Executive Chairman of Isoko North Local Government, Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor thanked the people for supporting him during his elections.
“I want to first of all thank you all for your support during my elections. By the grace of God we have started working despite the paucity of funds available to the council.
“I appeal to you all to support the PDP as it is the only party that truly cares for the people. I urge you all to go home and preach the good news so that our votes will be more than it was during the local government elections.” “You can see we have started well to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people with the rehabilitation of all major internal roads in Ozoro as the headquarters of the local government and we shall still do more. By the grace of God I will make you people proud and would not disappoint you all.”
The Host and Deputy Majority Leader House of Representatives, Hon Leo Ogor thanked the community for their support over the years while also urging them to support the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan in order to ensure continuity in the transformation agenda.
“I bring you greetings from President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. This meeting has become very necessary because this election is slightly different from the ones we have had in the past.
“Ensure you all collect your Permanent Voters Cards because without it, you cannot vote for your choice candidates.
“Be not be deceived, as a party we have zoned certain positions in Isoko North and as a community we have had our share in the emergence of Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor as Executive Chairman of Isoko North Local Government.
“Let us not be seen to be greedy by voting for another party man because he is from Ozoro. Politics is not done on the basis of self interest alone. We must also respect certain agreements reached with our stakeholders.
“In the light of the above, I plead with you all to go home and tell our people the truth. This is not about our community interest but about what is right, just and fair. He said
Another community leader Chief John Etenero said Ozoro has always been with PDP and the interest of the entire Ozoro supersedes every other personal interest.
“Ozoro is a one party community and wherever Ozoro has decided to go, that is where we will go, whether our son is contesting in another party or not, Ozoro has decided to continue with the PDP and I assure you that we will vote for all PDP candidates.”
The leader of the women delegation Mrs Comfort Atanaruno pledged the support of all the women (Egwaya) Ozoro to all the PDP Candidates.
“Hon. Leo Ogor has always stood by us by providing us with several gift items. Every year he takes care of us. All the women of Ozoro are behind him. Wherever he ask us to go we will go. He is our leader in whom we are well pleased.” She concluded.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Majority Leader House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Leo Okuweh Ogor, Executive Chairman, Isoko North Local Government Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor, Hon. Ovie Oghoore, Hon Paul Akegwure, Hon. Chief Emmanuel Edevor, Hon. Sam. Idise, Engr. Henry Odegolor, Hon. William Omoviro, President General of Ozoro Progress Union Sir. Ralph Afemari, Hon. Sunny Elueni, Hon. Joseph Otheremu, Chief Philip Oju, Chief, A.B.C Asiafa, Hon. Matthew Amudede, Mr. Yaro Idudu, Chief Charles Obuvie, Chief John Etenero, Mr Austin Asibuelo, among others.
