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Delta State governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan yesterday solicited the cooperation of various ethnic groups and opposition politicians in the state, saying he needs their support in his quest to move the state forward. Speaking at the thanksgiving service to mark his victory at the April 26 poll, at the Words of Life Bible Church in Warri, the governor stated that the time has come for all hands to be on deck to ensure even development of the state. He decried the prevalence of hatred and pledged to reach out to the various factions, not only in his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but in opposition parties to mend fences with them all. “It is time to build an egalitarian state for the betterment of all citizens of the state,” he said.

Diabolic solution

The governor said his opponents even had to resort to diabolical means in a desperate bid to unseat him at some point, but that these did not work. He appealed to his detractors to have a change of heart as he is not a perfect person, saying he was not the architect of some of the problems of the state. He also advised the people against engaging in actions that could plunge the state into another round of crisis, noting that no meaningful development could be achieved in an atmosphere of rancour and insecurity. He promised to formulate policies that would ensure the empowerment of youth. “This government is about the youth. The biggest challenge is youth employment. Government will formulate more programmes to engage the youth,” he said.

National President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ayo Oritsejafor, who ministered at the event, said it was God who made Mr Uduaghan’s victory possible. He however admonished the governor to extend a hand of fellowship to his opponents who lost out in the race. “You should find ways to reach to those who did not win,” he said.