By Festus Ahon & Perez Brisibe

UGHELLI—Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo has enjoined the Urhobo nation to vote massively for President Goodluck Jonathan and the governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, in next month’s general elections.

He also advised Okowa to meet with the leadership of Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, to “negotiate, confirm and conclude” on the stake of the Urhobo in his administration, before the polls.

Speaking during his New Year media/constituents briefing at his Okpare-Olomu, Ughelli South Local Government Area country home, the senator representing Delta Central senatorial district at the National Assembly stressed the need for true unity in the state “and for the Urhobo to be in the scheme of things both at the state and national levels as the injustices against us are being addressed.”

Saying that the UPU had already declared its support for President Jonathan “based on concrete promises made by the President when a delegation of UPU visited him on December 23 last year,” he appealed to the Urhobo apex socio-cultural body to look at his canvassed position and support it.

Describing Okowa as a brilliant and gifted individual, with a vast knowledge of politics, business, government and what it takes to manage the affairs of the institutions of the state at all levels, he said: “I also know the candidates of the other political parties vying for the office of the governor, since they are my brothers. They are also very experienced in many areas of life, but not in the business of government.

“I will never betray the Urhobo nation for a pot of porridge. I will always look out for the interests of the Urhobo, who are my people.”