Delta 2015: Let’s go for credible candidate, group urges

Ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial election in Delta State, the people have been urged to go for credible candidates that will build on the existing achievements rather than promoting politics of rotation.
A concerned group, Delta Democratic Movement, advised that Deltans should beware of few individuals who are canvassing a non-existing zoning or rotational agenda thereby, heating up the polity.
The DDM, in a statement made available to newsmen after its meeting in Abuja, enjoined the people of the state not to rely on politics of zoning, saying it is capable of promoting politics of exclusion and rigging at the expense of a credible leadership needed to govern the state in 2015 and beyond.
The statement, signed by Dr. Peter Ebike, Barrister David Ekuetafia and Sam Omoko, stated that surprise awaits those they described as merchants of politics of division, exclusion and rigging in the state come 2015.
They noted that over the years, Deltans have advanced politically to be able to choose their leaders through credible and meritorious processes than otherwise.
While urging Deltans across the three senatorial zones that have gubernatorial ambitions to present themselves before the electorate, the Movement reiterated that “Delta State has come of age, and only the best is good enough for our people, irrespective of the zone the person hails from.
“It is pertinent to recall here that this politics of zoning and rotational leadership subtly crept into the body politics of Delta State when a group of political gladiators successfully experimented a deliberate political calculation to their favour and since then many people within and without Delta State have been ignorantly led to believe that there is an operational zoning formula in place where in the position of the governor is rotated among the three senatorial districts in the State.
“This has consequently engendered the ‘it is our turn’ mentality which in the past gave rise to imposition of candidates and unhealthy ethnic rivalry in the body politics of Delta State with the attendant problems of leadership by exclusion.”
The group also alerted the people of the state: “As activities gear up towards the 2015 general elections, the cloud of the politics of imposition and exclusion is getting thicker with many of the aspiring governorship aspirants chorusing, even louder, the ‘it-is-our-turn‘ slogan, obviously without considering the implications of such outcome on the peace and security of the State.
“It is our candid belief in Delta Democratic Movement, that the only way to improve the electoral fortunes of Deltans is to create a level playing field for all aspirants/candidates irrespective of their zones of origin. In this way the Governor who will emerge will enjoy the support of the majority of the people of the State.
“Delta Democratic Movement is ready to work in concert with all well meaning stakeholders and citizens of the State to redirect energies of Deltans towards producing a popularly accepted Governor, the group stated.”