Sir Richard Odibo

SIR Richard Odibo of the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP) in the forthcoming bye-election for Delta Central Senatorial District has warned against rigging in the election, saying whoever that is planning to rig must bury such thought now as riggers will not find it easy.

At luncheon with media executives in Delta Central, Sir Odibo implored all aspirants to fly clean in the Senatorial bye-election, adding that Urhobo nation want peace and not violence

He said; “As we prepare for the election, let me seize this opportunity to advise all Urhobo sons and daughters interested in this race to imbibe the best of our values in pursuit of our ambitions. Whoever that is planning to rig must bury such a thought now. Let the best win and let Urhobo have peace. We cannot toy with peace amongst our people. Whoever that is not ready to guarantee peace in Urhobo should get out of the race. We will not tart down Urhobo because of politics. It did not happen in the days of my father and it will not happen on my watch. This is a firm promise.”

Sir Odibo added; “All aspirants must fly clean in the Delta Central Senatorial by-election. No political party should think of rigging because that Party will not find it easy. Let us follow it democratically.”

According to him, after thorough consultations with various shades of the Urhobo leadership establishment and diverse interest groups, he decided to contest for the Senate seat on the platform of his party, DPP and described himself as the oldest member of the party with bright chances of picking the ticket in the primaries.

“But I am not anointed candidate of DPP, we are all democrats”, he stated.

Sir Odibo said; “We shall be talking to our people during the campaigns on our complete readiness to apply utmost wisdom, dedication and patriotism to help the Urhobo nation and protect its peace in the great nation. My father fought for and defended Urhobo all his life and it is my duty to carry that legacy forward in the Senate. It is my hope and prayer that the leaders and members of my party will be gracious enough to choose me first as their candidate in the primaries preceding the bye-election.”

He promised not to disappoint the Urhobo people if elected to represent them in the Senate, adding that he had resolved to adopt every laudable action started by the late Senator Pius Ewherido.

Attention, he said, would be given to youths and women, build bridges of friendship with other ethnic groups in the country and work in line with the UPU agenda.

“Urhobo nation today is saddled with a lot of problems; the problems are numerous; the Urhobo nation is sidelined and it is my intention to build bridges of friendship. Urhobo nation is not at war with any ethnic group in Delta state or anywhere in the country,” he said.

Sir Odibo who worked for ten years in Delta Steel Company (DSC), described the closure of the company as a big blow to the Urhobo nation, saying it used to employ over 4,000 staff and promised to fight for it to be revived by government.

“DSC is a top priority for me. I worked there and want to see our youths experience the good life we had there in those good days. I am going to work with the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) to ensure Urhobo gets her due all the time. I will explore all my relationships and networks as dictated by modern times for the benefit of our people. We will cooperate with President Goodluck Jonathan, our State and Federal Governments to do whatever that is right for our people,” the Senatorial aspirant said.