The Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District and governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 gubernatorial race in Delta State, Senator James Ebiowu Manager, has stated that he is the most equipped and qualified to govern the state The Trumpet gathered.
He said his political and leadership experience is unequalled by all other aspirants in the race.
Senator Manager made the statement at his Warri residence when the Activist Rex Emojite Anighoro led Civil Society Network for Citizens Engagement, Credible Elections and Good Governance (CSNCE2GG) paid him a private visit to engage him on his aspiration, manifesto and outlined programmes if elected. He said he and Senator Ike Ekweremadu, are the longest-serving Senators in the Nigerian Red Chambers, and by virtue of this, he has garnered vast experience at the Senate, which has qualitatively prepared him to succeed and deliver the dividends of democracy, and be a pan Deltan Governor who will be fair to all Deltans, regardless of ethnic or religious inclination.
The Senator also stated that the principle of zoning of the Delta State governorship position has never been universally accepted by the state’s political stakeholders and that those who still claim that there is a zoning principle in Delta should inquire from the Chief Joe Omene-led UPU as to what was their stand in 2014 when they made the Uvwiamughe declaration. He also posited that it will be fair and just, if Deltans support a pan Deltan of Ijaw extraction to become the next governor of Delta State, even as he called on the civil society to take very seriously the pursuit of social justice and equity, and ensure that no ethnic nationality in Delta is marginalised.
When the leader of the delegation, Rex Anighoro asked about his manifesto and governance agenda for Deltans, Senator Manager said his manifesto remains the manifesto of the PDP as no true party man should have any manifesto outside the manifesto of the political party he belongs.
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Anighoro counselled the political leader and aspirant on the need for him to help promote the opening of the civic space, and to encourage effective civil society partnership with government for the good of the citizens, a trait which has truly distinguished the Governor Okowa’s administration. He hailed the Senator for being an accessible aspirant who opened his door to engage with the Civil Society Network, despite his very tight schedule, and amidst the urgency to reach out to delegates who are the beautiful brides of the governorship primary elections.
He stated that there is a strong need to engage the civil society before the primaries, and aspirants who have failed to engage probably do not understand the place and role of the civil society in the processes leading to elections and even after the elections.
Anighoro stated further that the Civil Society Network was ready to engage with every aspirant who welcomes them, and objectively report back to the citizens what they have found.
