The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has cautioned the incoming government of General Muhammadu Buhari against any attempt to undermine the South South and South East regions of the country.
Speaking on Sunday night in Lagos when he was conferred with the Silverbird Man of the year Award, Uduaghan said it would be dangerous and disastrous for the regions to be ignored just because they did not vote for the incoming government.
He said contrary to the belief that the Boko Haram insurgency or the state of the economy would be the major challenge before the incoming government, it would be the effect of sidelining any part of the country.
He said: “I must counsel here that the South South and the South East regions must not be ignored or undermined by the incoming Federal Government on account of their voting patterns in the general elections.”
According to Uduaghan, it would be precarious for such strategic regions or any region for that matter to be undermined solely because of their political leanings.
He harped on the need for every part of the country to be treated fairly and equitably.
He said it was such neglect that resulted in the Boko Haram insurgency.
Besides, the governor said the Peoples Democratic Party was prepared to form a formidable opposition party in the country, adding that the party would bounce back sooner than expected.
Uduaghan dedicated the Silverbird Man of the year Award bestowed on him by the organization to his wife, Deaconess Roli Uduaghan, and all Deltans who stood and worked with his administration to build a peaceful state.
The Governor, who bagged the Silverbird Man of the Year Award in recognition of his laudable achievements in the year 2014, said the award was for all peaceful Deltans and for the prevailing inter-ethnic harmony in the state.
He expressed his appreciation for the honour done him, saying: “I am very happy that Sliverbird Group has recognized the good work God is doing in Delta State through my administration.
“This achievement is a collective effort and l dedicate this award to my wife and all Deltans who made this dream of having a peaceful state a reality during our time and l pray that this peace will be sustained.”
Speaking further, Governor Uduaghan charged the incoming administration in Delta State to uphold the people-oriented programmes already put in place by his administration.
The governor explained that he had to give up his senatorial ambition for peace to reign in the state, stressing that if he had pushed ahead with his ambition, inter-ethnic crisis would have returned to the state.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odien Ajumogobia (SAN), noted that apart from key infrastructure, urban renewal and human capital development, Governor Uduaghan was leaving behind a peaceful and united Delta State.
Barrister Chike Ogeah, the Information Commissioner, and Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, the Works Commissioner, described the award as a crowning glory for the governor.
In a keynote address, a former Chairman of the Silverbird Group, Ben Murray-Bruce, said the Nigerian State must shun the display of affluence in the mist of poverty, promising to represent the poor Nigerians as a senator-elect of the Federal Republic.
Other Deltans who bagged award at the ceremony included Chief Phillip Asiodu and Deacon Gameliel Onosode.
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