By Gabriel Elozino
Former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, CON, has officially declared that he had ‘stepped aside’ from contesting for the Delta South Senatorial seat, citing election fatigue as being behind his decision.
Uduaghan disclosed this during the Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel Lectures/Award Ceremony, held at the Casa de Pedro Hotels, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State. The Trumpet gathered.
The former Governor had been tipped to take over from 5th term senator, James Manager after initially indicating interest for the Senatorial seat.
He however, confirmed the rumour already making the rounds that he had jettison his Senatorial ambition but clarifies that he never ‘stepped down’ but only ‘stepped aside’.
He said contrary to speculations, he did not stop his aspiration for the Red Chamber for any aspirant but only decided not to continue due to “election fatigue”.
He explained that he never picked up a form for the Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but only did once while he was a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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He noted that he did indicate interest to contest, but at no time did he collect form in the PDP, adding that he only collected a form of the APC.
Uduaghan, while delivering a lecture titled “2023 Elections and Role of the Media”, noted that by 2023 Nigeria would have enjoyed 24 years unbroken democracy, adding that the media had during the period enjoyed a lot of freedom, unlike under the military.
He, therefore, charged media practitioners in Nigeria to be more objective in their reportage since, according to him, media projections were at times far from the reality.
He also challenged media owners to be faithful with their workers by paying them as and when due to guard against being influenced negatively
by corrupt politicians.
The former Governor who expressed support for the calls for traditional rulers to be given constitutional roles in governance in Nigeria, said, “with such power, authority and recognition, insecurity challenges will be curbed to a large extent across the nation.”