By Francis Sadhere
Special Assistant on News Media to Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa , Mr. Michael Tidi, on Sunday declared his intention to run for the chairmanship in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State under the platform of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, with a promise to change the reality of the council area.
Tidi who made his intentions known at Okere, Warri called on leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and members of the party to support his ambition, stressing that he will not disappoint them when he eventually gets the ticket the run for the chairmanship position in the council area.
While speaking to a gathering of party faithful from all over Okere, ward who came to witness his declaration, Tidi said that he is very fortunate to come from Okere ward because the ward has produced great politicians, adding that he is ready to take a short at the number one position in the Council area.
Tidi said it was high time young men and women in the country are given political position since they are the vibrant section of any economy that are filled with many ideas that they want to bring into politics.
He said, “I consider this occasion a rear privilege for me to stand in the presence of my party leaders today. This is not the Warri we used to know while we were growing up. Today Warri is a shadow of its old self. Shell and other International Oil Companies have left Warri and since then Warri has not remained the same.”
“You all know me in this Warri that I am a true Warri boy. If I am given the opportunity to serve this council area I am going to replicate what my Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has been doing in this state also in Warri South Council area.
“I am interested in Warri and one of the reasons why I am declaring for the number one position in this council area is because I want to change the reality of Warri. What is happening in Warri today is affecting all of us and it is going to affect our children too if nothing is done. How do you change the reality of a place? It is by being an effective voice to the people,” Tidi said.
Tidi noted that he had indicated interest in the Delta State House of Assembly and other positions in the past but had being told to step down for others. He however, appealed to party leaders in PDP to give him this opportunity to contest in the next council election, noting that his zeal to serve the people can no longer be shut down.
On allegation that he was made to step down in various occasions because he was given money and offered position, Tidi told the crowed who gathered to witness his declaration for the Chairmanship position in the Warri South council, that he was never given any money or offered any position to step down for others.
“The last time I was asked to step down, there were rumours that I was given money and offered position to step aside. My people, I want to tell you today that I was not given a dime. I only listened to my leaders who told me to step aside. I never in one day took a dime from anybody. I was not given a contract or position to step down either. Today I am part of the system and I believe in the leadership of Dr. Joseph Otumara,” he said.
“When this opportunity came I consulted widely before I came to declare my interest to contest for the Warri South chairmanship position. It was unanimously agreed that it was high time for an energetic young man who has the interest of the people to indicate interest for this position. So please I am appealing to my leaders, with all humility, to allow me run this time around. I am asking for this because that desire to serve my people is still shut inside my bone marrow,” Tidi noted.
He said he is going to serve the people to the best of his knowledge and he is going to operate an open door policy, adding that in spite of paucity of funds coming to the council area, he is going to make sure that he does his best for his people.
On his part, The Political Adviser to the Governor of Delta State, Hon. Omimi Esquire, promised Tidi that this time around he will not be asked to step down but advised him to work hard at getting the primaries, adding that the battle before Tidi is going to be fierce as he would have to contend with other aspirants.
“I want to advise you to reach out to other wards and appeal to their conscience. You should prepare for the primaries because a lot of things are going to happen. You must reach out to all the aspirants so that your chances will be bright,” Omimi said.
