By Francis Sadhere

AS the race for the Delta Central Senatorial District draws near, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor has told the Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, that he was in the race for the senate seat because of the love he had for the Urhobo nation, adding that he was going to fight for the progress of the Urhobos if given the opportunity.

Olorogun O’tega Emerhor (standing) addressing UPU Exco members, today, during the UPU Executive Council meeting with all candidates of political parties for the Delta Central bye-election held at the residence of UPU President General, Major-General (retired) Patrick Aziza

He stated this yesterday, at the UPU Executive Council meeting with all the candidates of the political parties in the Delta Central Senatorial bye-election.

Olorogun Emerhor assured the UPU Executives that he accepted their invitation to discuss the way forward for the Urhobo nation and not because of political party, stressing that the progress of Urhobos was paramount in his mind.

He said; “UPU knows how I have been fighting for the progress of the Urhobo people. We lost our son who we sent to the senate to represent us. The cold hand of death snatched Senator Pius Ewherido from us. We were all fighting for the progress of the Urhobo people before death took him away from us. This meeting is for the progress of the Urhobos. I am presenting myself to represent my people so that we can move forward.”

Olorogun Emerhor lamented that for the past fourteen years since the ruling party had been in power, the Urhobo nation had not had it this bad, adding that it is saddening that the Urhobos cannot boast of any position in the federal level.

He said the Urhobos who had worked tirelessly to ensure that President Goodluck Jonathan becomes the President of this country had nothing to show for all their efforts, noting that they have been marginalized in all appointments at the federal level.

According to Emerhor; “Today none of our son is a minister. None of our son is in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC and the Niger Delta Ministry. For the 14 years of PDP the Urhobos have nothing to show for it. Our sons in PDP are not considered when they want to make major decisions in the party. For this reason I must stand and fight the Urhobo cause.”

Olorogun Emerhor also stressed that the All Progressives Congress party was a very strong party that will fight for the upliftment of the Urhobos, reminding the people that PDP cannot give Urhobos what they want.

He said the only way the Urhobos can gain and enjoy the dividends of democracy was for them to vote enmass for the candidate of the APC, stressing that APC was the only party that can give the people what they want.

He took a swipe at the DPP saying that the party could not withstand the PDP because of its small size, emphasizing that with APC, the ruling party was in for a competition as they will fight them with their last blood.

He reminded the people that President Jonathan cannot choose a senator for the Urhobo people, urging all sons and daughters of Delta Central to reject any form of imposition from the ruling party.

He told the UPU executives that the Urhobos must negotiate into position of strength, saying that that was the only way they could make the change they have all being fighting for.

On his part, the President General of the UPU, Major-General (retired) Patrick Aziza,  urged the people to stand firm and support the candidate of their choice, saying that UPU will come out with a public statement at the appropriate time.

END