Delta Lawmakers At War With Uduaghan Over Automatic Tickets

PHOTO: DELTA STATE GOVERNOR, DR. EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN.

Asaba Jan 26, (THEWILL) - As the political scene in Delta State ahead of the 2011 elections gets heated by the day, members of the state’s House of Assembly are said to be at war with the state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

The war we learnt is linked to the 2011 elections where majority of the legislators are clamoring for a second term ticket including those serving their third tenure in the house.

THEWILL investigation revealed that the governor is however not happy with some of the lawmakers still agitating for re-election having served three terms in the house.

Impeccable Assembly sources who confided in THEWILL and pleaded anonymity disclosed that currently the power hungry lawmakers have allegedly vowed to arm-twist the governor to do their bidding or see the other side of them adding that the lawmakers have drawn a battle line with the governor if he fails to use his office to get them automatic tickets having endorsed him for a second tenure.

It was also gathered authoritatively that the recent endorsement of the governor for a second tenure come 2011 by the House was a ploy to get the governor to do the same.

A Government House source told THEWILL that despite the lobbying by the lawmakers to get the governor to grant them automatic tickets, he has refused to give them a guarantee.

The governor’s endorsement for a second term by state legislators has elicited mixed reactions within the state.

Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) governorship candidate in the 2007 election Comrade Emmanuel Odafe Igbini.

According to Comrade Igbini, for the fact that they made the endorsement and took the decision in the hallowed chambers of the Delta State House of Assembly and in their official capacities as representatives of and lawmakers for the people and government of Delta State, “It becomes very pertinent for me to strongly condemn their actions for the following reasons: By Sections 4 and 128 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, they are strictly in the House to make Laws for the Peace, Order and Good Government of Delta State and to investigate misgovernance, insecurity, breakdown of peace and public order and expose corruption.

That their decision allegedly hinged on “matter of urgent public importance” is a deliberate perjury since there is no evidence that neither governor Uduaghan nor Deltans raised the issue of 2011 General elections as very important and a critical part of the 3-point Agenda of the State Government and Deltans’ survival, deserving urgent attention.”

However, the state chairman of PDP, Mr. Peter Nwaboshi warned that there is no blanket endorsement for office seekers including the lawmakers stressing that everyone shall face the normal process of re-election no amount how highly placed.