TheCable

Emmanuel Uduaghan, former governor of Delta state, says he is still in the senatorial race for 2019, denying reports that he has stepped down.

According to Monoyo Edon, spokesperson of the former governor, Uduaghan disclosed this while answering questions from the coalition of elders of Bomadi local government area who paid him a courtesy visit at his Warri residence.

Led by its leader,Gbenekuru England, the group asked if he had decided to step down for another candidate.

But he said: “I have not stepped down for anybody and I am not going to even contemplate stepping down for anyone. In fact, I have put my hands on the plough and there is no going back. By the grace of God, we would be in Abuja in 2019.

“It was for the interest of President Goodluck Jonathan’s votes from Delta that made me withdraw from the 2015 senatorial race, last minute. The stability of the state was very important to me. I needed to concentrate on the state and prepare it for a peaceful transition; otherwise, I have all the machinery to win the seat if I had so wanted it like I do now.

“I have paid my dues in stemming ethnic violence and militia uprising in the creeks to deserve the senatorial seat. How many people can make such sacrifice? How can somebody who has fought plenty political battles as a serving governor be scared of anybody? That is very laughable to me.”

Uduaghan said he and his family had heard from God clearly. Hence, in January 2018, that victory is sure for him at the polls.