Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has revealed that his ambition to represent Delta South Senatorial District in the National Assembly is fueled by the need to enable oil-producing communities have 10 percent equity participation in oil companies operating in their areas.

Speaking at the weekend while addressing a meeting of the Executive Committee of the State’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) attended by aspirants and leaders of the party at its secretariat in Asaba, Governor Uduaghan said that he was determined to ensure that the Niger Delta region was no longer short-changed.

Dr. Uduaghan promised to pursue with vigour the participation of oil producing communities in their naturally given resources to address years of neglect and insensitivity to their plight by the oil companies.

“My desire is to ensure that the 10 per cent equity participation by oil producing communities in oil companies sees the light of the day, my passion is to vigorously pursue this goal … this informed the decision to represent my people (Delta South Senatorial District) at the Senate,” he said.

The Governor said he has demonstrated the spirit of sportsmanship in the pursuit of his senatorial aspiration, promising to embrace his opponents should he wins or loses as politics, to him was not a do-or-die affair.

Governor Uduaghan dismissed allegations of imposition and manipulation of the ward delegates lists levelled against him by some leaders of the party, pleading with aspirants to shun mudslinging and falsehood as well as acts capable of inciting members of the party against one another.

Meanwhile, the expanded Executive Committee meeting of Delta State PDP, attended by leaders and aspirants on Friday elected Chief Edwin Uzor as Acting State Chairman of the party as well as affirmed its position in the harmonised list of ward congress of each local government areas as reached by leaders and elders of the party in the state.

Governor Uduaghan, who is the leader of the party in the state, charged the acting chairman to be firm and steadfast particularly in this period of the primaries to guarantee a level playing field for all aspirants.

The Governor explained that Uzor was elected following the resignation of the former chairman, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, who left to pursue a political ambition. He explained that the acting chairman would be in charge pending the conduct of state congress to elect a substantive chairman.

Speaking shortly after his election, Chief Edwin Uzor, who prior to his election was the state PDP Auditor, pledged to carry everyone along and give support to Dr. Uduaghan’s Administration particularly his three point developmental agenda.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the motion by Chief Nwaoboshi for the retention of the ward delegates list without alteration as prepared by the elders and leaders of the party.

The motion for the retention of the list which the Executive Committee said will be used for all the primaries was seconded by the Majority leader of the state House of Assembly Hon. Monday Igbuya.

•Photo shows Governor Uduaghan speaking during the PDP Executive Council meeting in Asaba at the weekend. Seated and listening are Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN (left), PDP State Acting Chairman, Chief Edwin Uzor (2nd right) and State Deputy Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Ighomena.