By Jimitota Onoyume

Jerome Mario-Utomi, media aide to the Chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr Chiedu Ebie has expressed hope that the movement of the Delta Unity Group, DUG, a pro Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, group within the party in Delta state would bring greater gains to the state, particularly Ika Federal constituency.

In a statement made available to the Vanguard Utomi spoke extensively on the issue . He said :

“The Ika nation which covers the Ika federal constituency in Delta North Senatorial district is upbeat about the impending cross over to the All Progressive Congress (APC) by members of the Delta Unity Group (DUG).

“The constituents believe that the coming switch to the APC by DUG members will attract significant political advantage and infrastructural benefits to the area.

“For a better understanding of the piece, it is worth stating that Saturday April 12, 2025, will obviously be an epoch-making day for the good people of Ika nation as the National Chairman of the All-Progressive Congress (APC), His Excellency, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Edo state Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo will join Mr. Chiedu Ebie, Chairman, Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), along other notable political figures in Delta state and patriotic Nigerians and members of the ruling party across the country to welcome DUG members to the APC.

“To many stakeholders in the Ika nation, the movement by the DUG will mark the gradual but necessary end to the harrowing reign of the People Democratic Party, PDP in the Ika Federal Constituency in particular and Delta state in general.They believe that the defection of DUG members will signal inevitable takeover of the Federal Constituency and by extension Delta state by APC.

“Many believe too that DUG’s morphing into the APC will come with it, the berthing on the scene of good spirited politicians who mean well for Ika land and the state as currently exemplified by Mr. Ebie, and the displacement of deceitful and selfish politician who have held sway political positions without commensurate democracy dividends.

“Stakeholders are indeed delighted that after many years of sailing on the rough and tough tidal waves of politics, the Ika Federal Constituency is now arriving at the safe shores and rests in the harbour. There is however, a collective belief that the destiny of a ship does not reside in the harbour, but in sailing the high seas of the world. Thus, they are praying for Mr Ebie, one of their illustrious sons, a transformational reformer, technocrat and the brain behind the fast-growing DUG, and asking God to give him the grace to continue to do, even greater things in Ika nation, Delta state and nation Nigeria in general.

“For me, the ongoing alignment and realignment in Ika Federal Constituency attest to the fact that charismatic Ebie possesses the requisite curative powers to heal Ika Federal Constituency of poor political leadership that have festered for a very long time.

“Most importantly, very welcoming and of course another reason for the people of Ika Federal Constituency to rejoice is the awareness that Ebie, a former Delta state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, and Secretary to State Government (SSG) is unassuming, humble and exudes love and compassion for all in strict adherence to the principle of greater good for greater number.”