By Oghenetejiri Ejovwoke
The recent declaration by Olorogun O’tega Emerhor to contest the Delta Central Senatorial District bye-election, no doubt, has generated a lot excitement, not only among active players on the District’s political chessboard, but Deltans and indeed, political observers in the country.
He is a man known for perseverance and consistency. While others have described the entry of Olorogun Emerhor into the Delta Central Senatorial District race as a welcome development, others who are also in the race with him are jittery. Others in the succession battle for the soul of Delta Central Senatorial District include; Ovie Omo-Agege (PDP), Ighoyota Amori (PDP), Omizu Odebala (PDP), Halim Agoda (PDP), Miller Orido (PDP), Andi Kayoma Osawota (PDP), Fred Majemite (PDP).
Other aspirants are Sir Richard Odibo, (DPP), Abel Edijala (DPP), Ede Dafinone (DPP), Abel Oharume (DPP), Napoleon Gbinije (DPP), Festus Keyamo (APC), and a host of others.
But the most interesting thing at the moment is the wide acceptance of Olorogun O’tega Emerhor by the people in all the places he has visited so far consulting them. Again, others in the race are not too comfortable with this as they got nothing but outright rejection from the people. But there is absolutely nothing the rejected aspirants can do about the overwhelming acceptance of Emerhor of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The fear of Emerhor since he joined the race, has become the beginning of wisdom as his rising political profile has dwarfed others.
To many out there, a perfect replacement of the Late Senator Pius Ewherido at the National Assembly has been found in Olorogun Emerhor. Already, people of the District have expressed readiness to cast their votes for the Evwreni-born financial expert and they are not regretting their decision. In his consultation visits, which has taken him virtually everywhere, Olorogun Emerhor never failed to make it known to the people that the needed change has come for them and the lamentation song in the land would soon be a thing of the past. Now, change is in the air for the people.
While on a consultation visit to former Delta State lawmaker, Honourable Harvest Igben, Olorogun Emerhor had said; “You know some of us worked in DPP, even with the support of people like him because we wanted to claim back some of the things that have been taken from us. But DPP was too small for what we wanted to do. And each time we won elections, we are robbed of our victories because we do not have anywhere to run to. How can we continue like that? Anybody who is saying we should continue to stay in a small party is not a true son of Urhobo.”
He told the former lawmaker that the Delta Central Senatorial election in the state was going to be the acid test for APC, adding that the party is going to win it, and also wrestle power from PDP come 2015.
He said; “I am sending a message to all, that Urhobos will continue to remain strong and anybody who does not recognize us will recognize us. Anybody who does not know that we exist will receive a shocker. When we are strong, then they will come and talk to us. When the Ijaws stood up and fought, did you not see where it got them to?”
Even the royal fathers in the land have given him their blessings. Can you beat that? Olorogun Emerhor is indeed, coasting to victory and the people of the District will be better for it at the end of the day.
And while he was with Ughelli North Traditional Rulers Council at the Palace of the Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, the royal fathers gave him a pat on the back for all that he has been doing in Urhobo land. They showered him with their blessings and promised to be with him all the in the Senatorial race.
Speaking on behalf of the Kings, HRH, Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom said; “What happened to Late Ewherido did not only happen to the people of Ewu but the whole Urhobos. And at the moment, we need a true person to replace him. So we have agreed that Olorogun O’tega Emerhor should sit on the Senatorial seat of Delta Central.”
Speaking further, the royal fathers said; “We pray that God should answer our prayers and stand by him. We the Royal Fathers in Ughelli North local government area are solidly behind Olorogun O’tega Emerhor. So any evil plan standing on his way should keep off or God will destroy them. Woe unto those who will try to deceive Urhobos as spy because the Lord has answered our prayers in Jesus name. When you get there, always remember your people and continually to attract the dividends of democracy to the door steps of all Urhobos.”
Responding to the Royal Fathers blessings, Olorogun Emerhor had expressed gratitude to them for their blessings, promising to fight the Urhobo cause if he gets to Abuja. He had said; “Today is a great day for our campaign organization and we commend the traditional rulers in Ughelli North Local Government Area. Urhobos need a genuine man of humility that has love for his people. And I have offered myself to vie for the senate position of Delta Central.
He told the royal fathers that; “We need someone to really reduce the rate of unemployment in Delta Central and Delta State in general. For instance, the Sapele Port, Delta Steel Company (DSC) and others that are not functioning would have brought over 80% employments to Delta Central people. I have that zeal to work for my people and I will never relent in serving my people at all time. We the Urhobos must actualize our goal.”
Olorogun Emerhor, a committed and loyal member of APC, has made it loud and clear that the time for money bag politics in Urhobo land was over and has urged the Urhobos to stand and fight as one to claim their lost glory in the Nigerian Politics.
Emerhor is one man the people can trust with their votes and his party, the new pride in town, APC cannot be dismissed with the wave of the hand in Delta State.
Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, OON has been working and contributing to the development of Urhobo land and interest for a long time. From playing supportive role in specific developmental issues and events to providing financial contribution to the construction of Urhobo centre at Uvwiamuge-Agbarho, to scholarships to Urhobo indigenes, to providing employment opportunities to Urhobos in his numerous business organisations, he has proved himself as a true patriot!
Today, Olorogun Emerhor is serving the Urhobo nation again in his capacity as the Chairman of UPU Special Fund Management Board, a fund set up to raise funds for the development of Urhobo Nation.
Olorogun Emerhor has a consistent track record of Urhobo patriotism and as a result of this; the UPU did confirm this on Sunday, 4th December, 2011 during its 80th Anniversary Celebration by recognizing him and giving him its topmost award for his outstanding financial contributions towards development of the Urhobo Nation and its people.
So now, let’s join hand with an Urhobo patriot and vote Olorogun O’tega Emerhor for Senate!
And as the waiting game for the Delta Central Senatorial District bye-election continues, it is the concern and prayer of those with Urhobo blood flowing in their veins that the next senator should continue the good things late Senator Ewherido did and they see that man as Olorogun Emerhor, the man on a mission to take his people to the Promised Land.
