By Festus Ahon
UGHELLI—DELTA State Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Chief Sam Egwerome, yesterday, said nobody or group of persons has taken over control of the party in the state.

Egwerome, who spoke when his executive received the ACN governorship aspirant, Mr. Jude Ukusare, during his visit to the leadership of the party to formally declare his intention to contest the seat under the party, urged members of the party and the public to disregard such rumour.

He added  that nobody or group of persons can hijack the party structure in the state.
He said,  “you can’t take over a house you did not build. ACN remains intact under my leadership and the rumour should be discarded in its entirety.

“I am sure some of you have heard the rumour that our party is being taken over by some people. As I stand before all of you here today, I wish to affirm that there is absolutely nothing like that. It can never happen. We all built the party together and nobody can now come to take it over.

“You can’t take over a house that you did not build, it is only a house you built that you can come and occupy.  ACN remains intact, it is the same as it was in the beginning. You should continue to support and remain loyal to the party and disregard such rumour in its entirety. It contains no truth whatsoever.”

He commended Ukusare for his decision to aspire for the governorship position on the banner of ACN. Saying that the party would conduct primaries to choose candidates, he wished Ukusare success.

The member representing Udu in the Delta State House of Assembly, Mr Harvest Igben, in his remark, described Ukusare as a visionary leader.

Earlier in his speech, the governorship aspirant, Mr. Ukusare, said his decision to enter the race was borne out of his desire to redeem Deltans from poverty.

“Delta State is faced with too many challenges in terms of development. There are the challenges of deplorable roads, dilapidated hospitals and schools and non-existent industries  agriculture, unemployment, absence of peace and security and so many others,” he said.

“With the enormous resources accruing to the state, Delta people deserve more than what they are getting. These are going to be my priorities as soon as I take over the mantle of leadership of Delta State as Governor. The party now in power feels it is by changing persons that would turn things around. No. You don’t just rely on changing the persons; that is begging the issue, it can’t work.”

“What is required is to uproot and throw out the existing political structure for genuine development to take place. It was done in Edo State and it is working. We are going to do the same in Delta State come 2011.

The task ahead of us is enormous and I appeal for hardwork, dedication, continued loyalty and support, courage, determination and the political will among all ACN members to enable us succeed”.