As preparation for the Delta Central Senatorial Bye-election hot up, members of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State have treated the consultation campaign train of Sir Richard Odibo to a tumultuous welcome, with the people pledging to support Sir Odibo all the way for his commitment to the growth of the party over the years; just as Sir Richard Odibo has bagged a Delta Personality Award for his services to mankind on the occasion of the 22^nd anniversary of the creation of Delta State on Friday August 30, 2013.

Sir Richard Odibo (left) with some DPP supporters during the consultation visit at Sapele.

Arriving the venue of the reception in Sapele on Tuesday August 27, 2013, Sir Richard Odibo and his consultation campaigns train were received by a huge crowd of party supporters and leaders who praised the leadership qualities of Sir Odibo for his faithfulness and contribution to the party, acknowledging the fact that Odibo was a traditional cum foundation member of the party who had never considered going to other political parties for greener pastures.

Chairman of the party in Sapele LGA, Pa Micheal Emenoja noted with joy that Sir Odibo could aptly be described as Mr. DPP, because ‘’Odibo was always available in all the struggles to liberate Delta State from the grip of election riggers and usurpers’’.

Also in his comment, the DPP Youth Leader for Sapele LGA, Mr Nixon Ufuoma Duru, expressed joy that a core DPP man has finally come up to take the challenge to represent the people. He expressed optimism that Sir Odibo will make the difference if voted.

Earlier in an address, Chief Ralph Itsekor, the Ogbeheri of Uvwie Kingdom, described Sir Odibo as a thorough-bred apostle of change who, “if elected can never abandon the core DPP members to make new friends at the expense of those who voted him to the Senate. We need a man who will build the party and Delta Central together with Chief Great Ogboru. We need a man who will stand for what is always right in protecting the interest of the common man. We need a man who will not compromise on the core values of best democratic practices the world over. We need a man who will stand for and by the Peoples General in the onerous quest to provide a people-based administration for Delta State. We need a man who will build the party, live among the people, understand their pains and challenges and also be there for the people. That man, who has been with the party from the SSRC days through AD to the present DPP era, is no other person than Sir Richard Odibo’’, Chief Itsekor enthused.

In his remarks, Sir Richard Odibo expressed immense satisfaction with the massive turn out of DPP members to receive him, promising to work for the people, be a friend of the common man and operate an open door policy that would add value to the people and make Delta Central a better place to be. He charged the people to ignore money bags that would want to buy their votes but would not be there for them after elections. He thanked the Sapele people for their commitment to the party, urging the people to shun sentiments and support him to get the party ticket and eventually vote him to the Senate for the good of all. He promised to pursue those programmes of the late Senator Pius Ewherido which the people consider so highly so that ‘’the dream of the amiable Pius Ewherido for Delta Central cannot die with him’’.

Meanwhile, Sir Richard Odibo has bagged the Delta personality Award for his contribution to the advancement of society and the growth of Delta State. The event took place at Wellington Hotel, Effurun on Friday August 30, 2013. Sir Odibo was singled out for the award for his numerous acts of generosity, humility, humane disposition and commitment to the ideals of a better Delta State.

Receiving the award on behalf of Sir Odibo, Mr Manny Edu dedicated the award to the good people of Delta Central, pledging the determination of Sir Odibo to do more for society and humanity at large.