The Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District and frontline governorship aspirant, Senator James Ebiowu Manager has stated that he is the most qualified to Govern Delta state, and that his political and leadership experience is unequalled by all other aspirants in the race.
Senator Manager made the statements at his Warri residence when the Activist Rex Emojite Anighoro-led Civil Society Network for Citizens Engagement, Credible Elections and Good Governance (CSNCE2GG) paid him a private visit to engage with him on his aspiration, manifesto and outlined programmes if elected to govern Delta state.
When the leader of the civil society delegation, Activist Rex Anighoro asked about his manifesto and governance agenda for Deltans, Senator Manager said his manifesto remains the manifesto of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as no true party man should have any manifesto outside the manifesto of the political party he belongs.
Activist Rex Anighoro counseled the frontline political leader and aspirant on the need for him to help promote the opening of the civic space, and to encourage effective civil society partnership with government for the good of the citizens, a trait which has truly distinguished the Governor Okowa administration.
Activist Rex Anighoro hailed the Senator for being an accessible aspirant who opened his door to engage with the Civil Society Network, despite his very tight schedule, and amidst the urgency to reach out to delegates who are the beautiful brides of the governorship primary elections.
He stated that there is a strong need to engage the civil society before the primaries, and aspirants who have failed to engage probably do not understand the place and role of the civil society in the processes leading to elections and even after the elections.
Activist Anighoro stated further that the Civil Society Network was ready to engage with every aspirant who welcomes them, and objectively report back to the citizens what they have found.
Activist Rex Anighoro and his team wished the Senator well in his pursuit to govern the state.
Senator Manager thanked the civil society delegation for their efforts towards ensuring that Deltans are enlightened, because through such engagements, Deltans can easily decide on who is the best man for the job.
Senator Manager made it known that he, alongside Senator Ike Ekweremadu, are the longest serving Senators at the Nigerian Red Chambers, and by virtue of this, he has garnered vast experience at the Senate, which has qualitatively prepared him to succeed and deliver the dividends of democracy, and be a pan Deltan Governor who will be fair to all Deltans, regardless of ethnic or religious inclination.
The Senator also stated that the principle of zoning of the Delta state governorship position has never been universally accepted by Delta state political stakeholders, and that those who still claim that there’s a zoning principle in Delta should inquire from the Chief Joe Omene-led UPU, as to what was their stand in 2014 when they made the Uvwiamughe declaration.
Senator James Manager also posited that it will be fairer and just, if Deltans support a pan Deltan of Ijaw extraction to become the next governor of Delta state, even as he called on the civil society to take very seriously the pursuit of social justice and equity, and ensuring that no ethnic nationality in Delta is marginalised.
