BY LAJA THOMAS

Fred Majemite, a lawyer,  is the Political Adviser to Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, one of the strong voices of Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU), a stalwart of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and an aspirant for Delta Central Senatorial bye-election. He was in Lagos recently where he spoke to newsmen on why he is in the race and why he stepped down in previous elections. Excerpts:

ON why he is in the contest
The sudden death of Senator Pius Ewhèrido, a highly respected gentleman politician and very kind hearted man created a vacuum. Though the vacancy is yet to be declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), my people comprising the elders and youths called me and asked me to go and represent them. And as a grassroots man and a politician I believe that if the people are asking me to represent them, then they are convinced that I possess the intellectual capacity, the charisma and what it takes to actually represent them.

Hon. Majemite

On a personal note, as a member of the PDP, I know that given the structure that I have and the structure that I have built over the years I can win the PDP primaries in Delta Central. Besides, you will recall that I was one of the top contenders for the senatorial seat for Delta Central in 2003 until the Leadership of UPU, led then by Chief Benjamin Okumagba of blessed memory and the Leadership of the PDP family prevailed on me to step down for Olorogun Felix Ibru and I did, in deference to them, more so when I was going to represent the good people of Delta Central, and not myself, and I have since then, been very steadfast with our Party, PDP.

If 10 years ago, I thought I was qualified to be at the Senate, 10 years after, I’m even more qualified, because I have had a lot of experiences in Government, haven held political offices, including a cabinet member in the last six years. My present office as a Political Adviser, has made me traverse the whole of Delta Central, and now know the needs of our people. As a lawyer, I know the law making process; I am going there to position the Urhobos in the main stream of Nigerian politics and to give us a voice both at the Senate and different facets of our national life.

On whether he won’t step down again as he did in the past
The Governor of the state, His Excellency Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and his Deputy, Prof Amos Utuama who are leaders of the party in the state have said that all the aspirants should go and slug it out in the open field by convincing the people of their constituency on their programmes, and at the end, anybody elected at the primaries of the party will get the support of the party. So, why should l step down? I have never given a thought to that and believe me, there is no stepping down this time around, instead, they should step down for me, since I have done it before, in deference to UPU and our party, PDP.

On whether PDP can wrest power from DPP and the newly registered APC
Any PDP candidate that emerges from the party’s primaries will defeat any of the candidates that will emerge from DPP or APC. I can assure you that Delta Central Senatorial seat will go to PDP by the grace of God. The Urhobos can no longer be in opposition, as we don’t want to be marginalised again. it is time for us to occupy our rightful place in Delta and Nigerian Politics.

His relationship with other aspirants, UPU and monarchs
I know all of them and they are my friends and brothers in politics. I do not play politics of bitterness and I am known for it. The UPU is the apex Urhobo Cultural Organisation. Every Urhobo man who is a true son of his father recognises that fact and accords the UPU leaders their respect, hence I withdrew from the race 10 years ago, in deference to them.

They are our fathers and most of them have contributed immensely to the unity and growth of Nigeria in diverse ways. I have so much respect for General Patrick Aziza (Rtd) the current president of the UPU and all our other leaders. I have also had cause to relate with most of them as a grassroots man and as one of their industrious sons. Similarly, the traditional rulers are my fathers I also enjoy a good relationship with all of them.

The Urhobo people are marginalised at the central so to speak and they blame it on some of  Urhobo leaders, how can you change that trend and make the Urhobo relevant politically at the federal level?

The Urhobos which are the sixth largest ethnic group in Nigeria have always presented a common voice through the UPU.