By Francis Sadhere
The immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan today said his sixteen years of sojourn in politics was made possible by the finger of God, adding that posterity will judge his administration.
Dr. Uduaghan said this during his thanksgiving service held at the First Baptist Church, Warri, Delta State.
Uduaghan said for the past 16 years he has seen it all in politics, thanking God for making it possible for him to come out of it all successfully, adding that what his administration did or did not do will be left for posterity to judge.
The immediate past governor of the state said: “We have seen it all in politics for the past 16 years. This is more than enough to say thank you to God Almighty. It is enough to say Lord I am faithful. Many people thought we will not make it this far. But thank God we have been able to surmount all the challenges we were faced with.”
Uduaghan thanked all Deltans for standing by him through thick and thin, appealing to all to give the new government the same corporation, understanding and patient they gave his administration.
While stressing that Governor Okowa cannot do it all alone, Uduaghan said it is not easy to be the governor of a state because there are many challenges facing the governor, adding that for the new administration to succeed it needed the support of all Deltans.
He said that on his part he will continue to pray for the new government, noting that he will always be available to them whenever they need him for advise and other things.
Uduaghan also cautioned Deltans not be among those that spread rumours in the state, lamenting that rumour mongering has become a big industry in the state.
The immediate past governor of the state emphasized that his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in that state, has continued to wax stronger despite losing at the federal level, saying that their overwhelming victory at the state level has shown that they are united and strong.
Uduaghan also thanked all the traditional rulers in the state who attended the thanksgiving for their support throughout the years, saying that their presence has shown the world that they have a wonderful relationship with him and his wife.
He thanked his political friends for their strong support for him for the past 16 years, noting that in spite of all that had happened when he was out of office for two months, they still came out to support to finish his tenure.
On his part the new Governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa called on Deltans to pray for his administration saying that without prayer the state cannot move forward.
Governor Okowa also declared every May 29th as a day of praise worship to God Almighty which is a departure from the practice of having dinner. He stressed that he had to make that declaration because that day is a day made possible by God, adding that all praises must go to God for ensuring peace throughout the state.
Governor Okowa said: “It is important to give thanks to God all the time for all the things that he has done for us. I want to thank the immediate past governor for setting the precedent for us in thanking God all the time. We thank you for this legacy that you have left behind for Delta. We thank you for drawing Deltans to God. You have shown that the government of Delta State is for the lord. The motor, “Finger of God” still stands because we believe that the finger of God will continue to lead us to prosperity and he will continue to increase us.”
