15:T7a8,

Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has withdrawn from the 2015 Senatorial race.

In a just-finished press conference in the state capital, Asaba, Uduaghan gave his determination to finish strong on his peace and security agenda, as the reason for his withdrawal from the Delta South Senatorial race.

With the withdrawal, less than two days to the primary election of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), incumbent Senator James Manager would likely be returned unopposed as the contest for a ticket for next year’s election was supposed to be a two-horse race between Manager and Uduaghan.

Speaking with reporters in Asaba, Uduaghan said that his dropping out of the race was necessitated by his determination to ensure that peace reigns in the state.

He said that he had a meeting yesterday with President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Adamu Muazu, where the political situation in Delta State was critically analysed and had to make a sacrifice by stepping down.

He said: “I have to offer myself as a sacrifice to ensure that the political and security tension that had built up in recent times is reduced. In doing that I am aware that a lot of my followers will be very unhappy but I want to appeal to them that I have to do this for the sake of this state.”

While denying that he was forced to step down, Uduaghan said that quitting the race will offer him the opportunity to concentrate on national issues and be able to manage the remaining primaries of the PDP and the election proper next year.

Alluding to the alleged threats by the Ijaw to resume hostilities should Manager, their kinsman, be shortchanged in place of Uduaghan, an Itsekiri, the governor said that maintaining the peace in the state was more important than electoral victories which are won at great human cost.

•Photo shows Governor Uduaghan.

Update news