By Felix Ekwu
Former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori has said that he will be at the forefront of the campaign that will see Senator Ighoyota Amori emerging victorious in the Delta Central Senatorial District election in 2023.
Ibori stated this on Saturday, March 19, 2022, while speaking at the official declaration of Amori to contest for the Senate seat of the district which was held at Mosogar in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.
This is the second time the former governor will be openly declaring his support for a political aspirant in the state since his return to the country in 2017.
The first was in 2019 when he championed the re-election of the incumbent governor of the state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.
Ibori while endorsing Amori as his preferred candidate to lead the Urhobo nation in the Red Chamber said, “We have all acknowledged that he(Amori) is a very capable hand. For the sake of Urhobo nation, I am behind you Senator Amori every step of the way.
“If anybody that is planning, anybody that is conspiring, anybody that thinks that because I am a former governor they want to conspire to disgrace me, God will disgrace them.
“This is my senatorial district, this is my place of birth. I am a stakeholder in this party(PDP), am a stakeholder in Urhobo. I am with Senator Amori all the way.
“I want to assure you that on this occasion if you give Senator Amori the support which I know you will, I guarantee you that he will perform beyond expectation. We know him, we know his capacity, we know what he can do, we know his reach, we know his recognition, we know how much network he has, we know he is a household name not only in Delta in Nigeria.
“And that seat befits Amori. Please, please, join hands with me to support him to go to the senate. In this senatorial race, Senator Amori’s bid is my bid. Please join hands with me to return him to the senate.”
For his part, a renowned professor of English Language, Prof Hope Eghagha, who chaired the senatorial declaration said, “As far as I see it, it is not a declaration, it is an endorsement. Chief Amori as we know has been tenacious, has been committed to the Urhobo course from day one.
“I have worked closely with him(Amori) behind the scenes, I know he has wonderful plans for Urhobo. Here is an attestation of the popularity, the wide acceptance of our aspirant who will become the candidate to represent the interest of the Urhobo people in the National Assembly in the Senate. I call on everyone here to give their support.”
The senatorial declaration of Amori received the endorsement of stakeholders from the eight local government areas that make up Delta Central Senatorial District.
Amori also got the endorsement of Delta North Senatorial District conveyed by a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon Mercy Almona-Isei while the former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was represented by former Director of Protocol during his administration, Mr Godwin Abigor, declared the support of Delta South to Amori’s senatorial aspiration.
Responding, elated Amori said, “Today marks yet another significant milestone in my political sojourn to make myself available to offer service and to be a strong voice of the Urhobo nation in the national politics of our dear country Nigeria. I have always believed and defended the Urhobo course which you all can attest to.
“My irrevocable commitment and dedication to a united and stronger Urhobo nation have continued to be the reason behind my relentless resolve to always be at the forefront of championing those endeavours that will keep us united culturally, socially and politically.
“It is my firm belief that having made positive contributions in advancing the collective wishes and aspirations of the Urhobo people and our dear Delta State, I can achieve more for our people if given the platform in the sphere of national politics of our country.
“This is another opportunity with the 2023 general elections fast approaching for my dear people of Delta Central to once again rally me with your support which you have massively done in the past to enable me to ascend to the national politics of our nation. With your sustained support and God on our side, we will succeed.
“It is on this note that I, Senator (Chief) Ighoyota Amori (JP) your son with humility and a high sense of responsibility request for your support as I embark on the political journey that will eventually put me on the pedestal speak and defend the collective interest of the people of Delta Central Senatorial District at the highest level of our national politics.
“I hereby announce and declare to you all present and to the entire people of Delta Central that I want to take another shot to represent the district in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly. I want to be your dependable and trustworthy representative in the Senate with your support. I have been tested at different levels of politics and I have proven myself. With your support, I will emerge victorious in the 2023 polls. Please, send me and you will not regret it.”
