Former Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, on Monday confirmed speculations that he would contest for the Delta South senatorial seat during the 2019 general elections. “I have not declared but I have decided to run. The official declaration is going to be very soon,” Uduaghan, a two-time governor, said during a media chat in Lagos.

He disclosed that he shelved his senatorial ambition as he was leaving office in May 2015 for the sake of peace, but noted: “Looking at the horizon, the issues that caused the security risks that made me to shelve my ambition in 2015 are no longer there.”

Uduaghan, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), gave reasons why he wants to go to the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly and spoke of his plans for his constituency, the Niger Delta and the entire country.

“Without being boastful, in terms of capacity, I have the capacity to do the job very well,” he said. “I know the place (Delta South) in and out; I have seen the action and I know the challenges,” he added, recalling his pivotal role in dousing the fire of militancy during his days as governor.

The medical doctor-turned-administrator and politician said that he wants to go to the Senate “basically to make laws” and to attract more development to his constituency. “I have many of my colleagues (former governors) in government (at the federal level). I can easily lobby them and get things for my people. I have the capacity to attract things to my people more than any other person,” he declared.

Uduaghan also noted that Nigeria has invested heavily in him through his 16 unbroken years in government in Delta State, during which he served variously as Commissioner and Secretary to the State Government before he was elected Governor in 2007. “Nigeria has invested in me. Being in government for 16 years is a lot of investment. I think I should pay back by going to serve at the national level,” he explained.

The former Governor, an exponent of modular refineries and development of the non-oil sector, promised not to collect his pension while serving as a Senator if given the mandate by his people.

He also pledged to carry his constituents along by involving them in the lawmaking process and holding town hall meetings every six months.

“I am going to sign a contract with my people; the Senator-Citizens Contract. I have a group of lawyers who are already working on it,” he disclosed.

Asked his chances of picking the PDP ticket and eventually winning the senatorial election, Uduaghan, 63, sounded upbeat, noting that he is a grassroots politician well known and trusted by the people. He promised to justify the confidence reposed in him by ensuring them the very best representation if they give him the mandate to represent them in the Senate in 2019.

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